Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations of interest

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.

No questions were received.

Minutes from the meeting held on the 13^th December 2017 are attached.

Delegated decision:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 13^th December 2017 be approved and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

A report from the Leader of the Council, Councillor Rishi Shori, is attached.

The Leader and Cabinet Member (Economic Growth and Human Resources) submitted the health and safety annual report. The report represents a core element of the Council’s health and safety management system. The report provides details of the significant projects carried out in 2017 which include; health and safety policy updates, drafting a policy framework, ageing workforce and the development of an e-learning and testing package for employees that carry out work related driving activities.

Delegated decisions:

That the Cabinet endorse the future work themes detailed in paragraph 8.1 of the report.

Reason for the decision:

The actions identified through the report and associated actions are designed to improve health, safety and welfare management arrangements and standards.

Other options considered and rejected:

To reject the recommendation.

A report from the Cabinet Member Finance and Housing, Councillor O’Brien, is attached.

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Housing submitted a report which provided details of the current picture of homelessness within the Borough and outlines preparations undertaken by the Council with regards to the Homelessness Reduction Act which will take effect on 3^rd April 2018.  Homelessness is one of the key priorities of the new GM Mayor, due to a national increase in homelessness work is being driven, locally   regionally and nationally.  The   Council has changed its approach from a traditional service, to one that puts the customer at the centre, the council is committed to working to end homelessness within the Borough

Delegated decisions:

The report be noted.

Reason for the decision:

A robust approach to homelessness is essential.  Failure to address homelessness issues presents a risk to individuals, and a potential financial risk and service pressure to the Council.

Other options considered and rejected:

To reject the recommendation.

A report from the Cabinet Member for Corporate Affairs and Regulatory Services, Councillor Judith Kelly, is attached.

The Cabinet Member for Corporate Affairs and Regulatory Services submitted a report containing a proposal to compulsory purchase the land and air space at Kay Street bridge in Summerseat.  Following the damage to the bridge in the Boxing day floods of 2015, the bridge was left with no physical barrier and has been subsequently closed to vehicular traffic.  The Council proposes to carry out remedial works to repair the damaged bridge to include a parapet and widen it for the provision of a separate footway.

Delegated decision:

Cabinet agreed to:

1.     Undertake the highways works necessary to facilitate the re-opening of Kay Street Bridge, Summerseat.

2.     Authorise the Head of Property and Asset Management and Interim executive Director of resources and regulation in consultation with the Cabinet member for Finance and Housing to negotiate and acquire the necessary land and air space by agreement.

3.     Authorise the making of a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) under the Highways Act 1980 and the Acquisition of Land Act 1981 to acquire land and air space adjacent to Kay Street Bridge as shown shaded in pink on the attached plan for highway purposes and to acquire associated access rights over the land and air space shown shaded in blue on the attached plan. 

4.     Authorise the Council’s Assistant Director of Legal and Democratic Services to make, if necessary, minor or technical amendments to the CPO boundary as shown on the attached plan. 

5.     Authorise the Council’s Assistant Director of Legal and Democratic Services to seal the Order and map and to take all necessary steps (including, without limitation, the publication of all required advertisements and statutory notices, the preparation of all necessary ancillary documents, dealing with any objections and inquiries and making any necessary modifications to the Order) to secure confirmation of the Order by the Secretary of State for Transport. 

6.     Authorise the Council’s Assistant Director of Legal and Democratic Services (in the event that the Secretary of State for Transport notifies the Council that it has been given power to confirm the Order) to advertise and confirm the CPO, if satisfied that it is appropriate to do so and to secure the subsequent vesting and registration of the ownership of the land in the Council by the most appropriate means (including the agreement and payment of appropriate compensation).   

Reason for the decision:

Wherever possible the Council should seek to acquire the necessary land and air space by agreement, there is a compelling case in the public interest for making a Compulsory Purchase Order, there are no financial, physical, planning, legal or other impediments to the highway works proceeding and there is a reasonable prospect that they will proceed.

Other option considered and rejected:

Not to proceed with the Compulsory Purchase Order as outlined in the report and leave the bridge closed to vehicular traffic.

A report from the Cabinet Member for Finance and Housing, Councillor O’Brien, is attached.

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Housing submitted a report the purpose of which is to provide members with the final version of the Asset Management Strategy and a three year investment programme.  The over-arching aim is therefore to: provide well maintained, energy efficient homes and neighbourhoods that meet the needs of current and future customers through sustainable investment.

Delegated decision:

Approve the Asset Management Strategy and approve an alternative Investment Plan (as per options 1,2 or 4) ; noting that the decision in relation to the capital programme of £9.8m per annum will flow through into reports for decisions at Council in February 2018 as part of the broader Council Capital Programme and Housing Revenue Account budget setting.

Reason for the decision:

The strategy sets out the investment priorities as well as 4 No. levels of investment each with an estimation of the level of financial resource required:

Investment Option 1 - £14.31M per annum

Investment Option 2 - £12.01M per annum

Investment Option 3 - £ £9.83M per annum

Investment Option 4 - £8.17M per annum

This option is the recommended option after consultation with Housing Strategy Programme Board (HSPB) and STH Board. The option is also felt to be the affordable option in terms of the Housing Revenue Account sustainability.

The decision in relation to the capital programme of £9.8m per annum will flow through into reports for decisions at Council in February 2018 as part of the broader Council Capital Programme and Housing Revenue Account budget setting.

Other option considered and rejected:

Option 1:

Approve the Asset Management Strategy for the Public Housing stock of Bury Council – 2018-2021 and a 3 year Investment Plan of £9.83M per annum; noting that the decision in relation to the capital programme of £9.8m per annum will flow through into reports for decisions at Council in February 2018 as part of the broader Council Capital Programme and Housing Revenue Account budget setting.

Option 2:

Do not approve the Asset Management Strategy or the Investment Plan of £9.83M per annum.

The Leader, Councillor Rishi Shori will report at the meeting.

The Chair reported that Councillor Jane Black had been proposed as the Mayor of Bury for 2018/2019.

Recommendation to Council:

That Councillor Jane Black be proposed as the Mayor of Bury for 2018/2019.

A report from the Leader of the Council, Councillor Rishi Shori, is attached.

The Leader and Cabinet Member (Economic Growth and Human Resources) submitted a report advising members of the procurement process followed to secure an independent operator for Radcliffe Market.  The overriding objectives of procuring a successful market operator is to create additional footfall within Radcliffe Town Centre and for the operation of the market to become budget neutral for the Council.  The Council will be looking to appoint an operator to undertake a range of services in order to create a successful market.

Delegated decision:

To note the content of the report.

Reason for the decision:

These measures seek to address the trading deficit incurred in operating the market, and to stimulate the events which have been successfully piloted.

Other option considered and rejected:

             To reject the recommendations.

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.

A report from the Leader of the Council, Councillor Rishi Shori, is attached.

           The Leader and Cabinet Member (Economic Growth and Human Resources) submitted a report providing information in respect of the bids submitted to run the operating concession at Radcliffe Market.

Delegated decisions:

To approve the granting of an Operating Agreement, as outlined in the report, to Impact Management Solutions.

Reason for the decision:

These measures seek to address the trading deficit incurred in operating the market, and to stimulate the events which have been successfully piloted.  A compliant procurement process has been followed.

Other option considered and rejected:

 Other options:

·         Not to approve the granting of the concession

·         For the Council to continue to manage Radcliffe Market Hall.

To consider the minutes of meetings of the AGMA Executive Board and Greater Manchester Combined Authority held on 24^th November and 15^th December 2017.