Agenda and minutes

No declarations were made in respect of any of the items on the agenda.

A period of thirty minutes was allocated for any members of the public present at the meeting to ask questions about the work or performance of the Council or Council services.  

Topic: Home to School Travel Assistance Policy for Children and Young People with Special Educational Needs.

Question: Does the Council genuinely intend to introduce a system that assesses each child’s individual needs or whether, as indicated by the current wording of the withdrawn report and policy, the intention is to apply a blanket role that will severely reduce transport provision to those children the Council deems as having complex needs and if it is the latter, how does the this fit with the Council’s own Vision, Purpose and Values policy and the assurances given to parents last year?

Response: The report was withdrawn from theagenda to allow further consideration and to ensure that the policy is fit for purpose. There was no intention of withdrawing the service provision from those who need it. The wording of the policy document will be examined during the redrafting process to ensure that there is clarity.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 20 July 2016.

Delegated decision:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 20 July 2016 be approved and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

The Leader and Cabinet Member (Business Engagement and Regeneration) submitted a report providing an update on progress made with the Greater Manchester Estates work stream which forms part of the Enabling Better Care priority of the Health and Social Care Strategic Plan.

The report also sought approval to the Council’s participation in the production of two Memorandums of Understanding (MOU). The MOUs will establish a formal, but not legally binding, agreement between two or more parties that sets out clear principles and ways of working. New governance structures will enable the parties to work together to make decisions in relation to the Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Estate that are strategically co-ordinated and aligned to maximise benefit across Greater Manchester.

The Memorandums of understanding will relate to

Delegated decision:

That approval be given to the two Memorandums of Understanding as detailed in Appendix 1 and 2 of the report submitted regarding the Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Devolution - Estates

-      MoU – between Greater Manchester and National Bodies

-      MoU – between Greater Manchester Bodies.

Reason for the decision:

A Memoranda of Understanding will help it create a robust and consultative process for delivering the Estates Strategy.

Other option considered and rejected:

To reject the recommendation.

The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member (Finance and Human Resources)submitted a report providing an update on progress made against the measures of success one year into the Council’s five year People Strategy 2015-2020. The report also set out priorities for the coming twelve months.

The report sought endorsement of the direction of travel set out in the report as an appropriate way to achieve the vision, priorities and strategic outcomes set out in our People Strategy and to promote the strategy with particular reference to greater exposure of the People Charter.    

Delegated decision:

That the People Strategy be endorsed as the vehicle to support the corporate priorities and strategic outcomes of the Council.   

Reason for the decision:

An effective People Strategy is critical as the Council seeks to modernise its workforce to address new service challenges.

Other option considered and rejected:

To reject the recommendation.

The Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member (Finance & Human Resources) submitted a report providing an update on the progress made to date on the Bury Behaviours. Details of an updated and revised version of the Bury Behaviours framework were also presented which has been developed to reflect internal and external changes, feedback and learning from the last three years.     

Delegated decisions:

That the approval be given to the embedding of the Bury Behaviours framework.

Reason for the decision:

The Bury Behaviours framework as it details behaviours at all levels of the organisation which are key to the Council in achieving our priorities and vision going forward.    

Other option considered and rejected:

To reject or amend the recommendations.

The Cabinet Member (Strategic Housing and Support Services and Cabinet Member (Environment) submitted a report presenting the draft Highway Asset Management Policy (HAMP), draft Highway Asset Management Strategy and the draft Communications Strategy for approval. The report sought approval to consult with all stakeholders before returning to Cabinet with a final set of documents for endorsement and adoption.

Delegated decisions:

1.   That the Highway Asset Management Principles, in line with the Department of Transport Self-Assessment Questionnaire, be endorsed.

2.   That the continuing efforts of officers to attain their ambition of asset management maturity commensurate with Band 3 status be supported.

3.  That the ambition to attain Band 3 status as quickly as possible and empower officers to utilise existing Local Highways Maintenance Capital Funding to secure this goal, where necessary via business case submissions to the Strategic Leadership Team for them to consider and approve, if deemed appropriate, be endorsed.

4.  That approval be given to the draft Highway Asset Management Policy.

5.  That approval be given to the draft Highway Asset Management Strategy.

6.  That approval be given to the draft Communications Strategy and officers be authorised to begin the consultation exercise.

7.  That approval be given to delegate authority to the Cabinet Member (Strategic Housing and Support Services) and Cabinet Member (Environment) to endorse future papers (generated from the Highway Asset Management Policy as an overarching document) or refer them to Cabinet.

Reason for the decision:

It is in the interests of the Council to have an approved Highway Asset Management Policy in place to signal its commitment to adopting the principles of asset management to so ensure that value for money is achieved with respect to highway maintenance and to avoid reduced incentive based Government Capital Allocations in the future.

Other options considered and rejected:

To reject or amend the recommendations.

The Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member (Member for Finance for Finance and Housing) submitted a report to inform Cabinet of the Council’s financial position for the period April 2016 to June 2016. The report also provided a projection on the estimated outturn at the end of 2016/2017.

Prudential Indicators were included in the report in accordance with the CIPFA Prudential Code.

Delegated decision:

That the financial position of the Council as at 30 June 2016 be noted.

Reason for the decision:

The report has been prepared in accordance with the Council’s Financial Regulations relating to budget monitoring.

Other option considered and rejected:

To reject the recommendation.

To consider the minutes of meetings of the Joint GMCA/AGMA Executive Board and Greater Manchester Combined Authority held on 29 July 2016.

The minutes of the meetings of the Association of Greater Manchester Combined Authority and the Joint AGMA Executive Board and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority held on 29 July 2016 were submitted.

Delegated decision:

That the minutes of a meeting of the Association of Greater Manchester Combined Authority and a meeting of the Joint AGMA Executive Board and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority held on 29 July 2016 be noted.

Delegated decision:

That in accordance with Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following item of business as it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as detailed in the conditions of category 3.

The Cabinet Member (Cabinet Member for Children and Families) and Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member (Finance and Resource) submitted a report setting out in financial terms the details of a project at Butterstile Primary School. The project is contained within the Council’s agreed capital programme for 2016/17 and proposed funding arrangements.

Delegated decisions:

1.   That approval be given to the financial details as detailed in the report submitted. 

2.   That authority be delegated to the Executive Director for Children, Young People and Culture in consultation with the Executive Member for Children and Young People, to approve the tender report prior to the release of the contract.

Reason for the decision:

This project will address the high demand for school places in the area.

Other options considered and rejected:

To reject or amend the recommendations.