Agenda and minutes

Councillor Rafiq, Cabinet Member for Corporate Affairs and HR declared a personal interest in respect of agenda item CA.08A as the BAME Officer for Bury South Constituency Labour Party.

Members of the public are invited to submit written questions about the work of the Council and the Council’s services two clear calendar prior to the meeting.

Approximately 30 minutes will be set aside for Public Question Time, if required.

No questions were asked under the item.

Minutes of the meeting held on 26^th February 2020 and 13^th May 2020 are attached.

It was agreed:

Minutes of the meeting held on 26^th February 2020 and 13^th May 2020 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Report from Councillor O’Brien Leader of the Council is attached.

The Leader, Councillor O’Brien presented a report updating Cabinet on the work that has been undertaken by Deloittes to prepare a draft Strategic Framework for Radcliffe.  The Leader reported that continued regeneration of Radcliffe remains a priority for the Council.

The recommendations for key interventions within the draft Framework include:

Creation of a central public hub within the town centre

Creation of new leisure facilities

Refurbishment of Market Chambers building

Opening up of the review

Revised car parking strategy

The Leader reported that Deloittes have already undertaken comprehensive early engagement with a range of key stakeholders during the preparation stage of the SRF. Now that the SRF is in a draft format, this stakeholder engagement needs to continue in order to seek the views and inputs from the wider public, key businesses and other key partners to ensure that the final framework is fit for purpose.

Delegated decision:

Cabinet agrees to:

Approve the draft Strategic Radcliffe Framework, the proposed consultation process and the identified delegated requests and to note the longer-term intention to create a Council Investment Fund to support interventions during the SRF delivery programme

Reasons for the decision:

The Strategic Regeneration Framework will provide the context for future development and the proposals for consultation are reasonable in the current pandemic. It is important that any future capital expenditure position is regularly monitored to ensure that the priorities of the Council are being delivered and ongoing legal input will be required.

Other option considered and rejected:

Identify any amendments to the Strategic Regeneration Framework or theconsultation process before the consultationstarts.

Report from Councillor Rafiq, Cabinet Member Corporate Services and HR is attached.

Following consideration at a meeting of the Human Resource and Appeals Panel prior to Cabinet, the Cabinet Member for Corporate Affairs and HR, presented a reported which provided details of a proposal to establish additional corporate capacity within the organisation.

Councillor Rafiq, Cabinet Member for Corporate Affairs reported that the Council and CCG agreed an integrated structure for the two organisations in January 2020, including an intention to include transformation capacity. This report sets out an update on recruitment to the agreed structure including leadership of the transformation programme.

The Cabinet Member for Corporate Affairs and HR reported that as the proposals constitute a change to the Council staffing establishment, a period of formal consultation will take place in accordance with the Council’s agreed policy and procedures.

Delegated decision:

Cabinet agreed to endorse the recommendations as a basis to undertake a formal consultation exercise:

·         One of the two Deputy Chief Finance Officer posts is reconfigured into Director Financial Transformation and Deputy Chief Finance Officer at Chief Officer Band H, for which additional costs will be met from transformation funding.

·         A Programme Manager is appointed at Chief Officer Band A with responsibility for the governance of the overall transformation programme.

·         Members thank Karen Dolton for her service to Bury Council and recruitment to the post of Executive Director Children and Young People is approved to commence immediately.

·         That the post of Assistant Director Education be deleted and replaced by a post of Director of Education with recruitment to commence on the appointment of the Executive Director Children and Young People.

·         To approve the long term secondment of an officer, with a remit to lead the implementation of the neighbourhood model including continuation of

·         Community Hubs.

·         A new post of Assistant Director Public Service Reform at Chief Officer Band D is established and recruitment begins as a matter of urgency.

·         A new post of Executive Policy and Research Advisor is established.

Reasons for the decision:

The proposals in this report consolidate the Council’s high quality emergency response to date; provide the capacity to maintain the statutory functions and maintain momentum for reform in the context of agreed transformation ambitions and the Bury 2030 strategy.

Other option considered and rejected:

To reject the recommendations.

A report from Councillor Cummins, Cabinet Members for Housing Services is attached.

The Cabinet Member for Housing Services, presented a report providing details for the Springs Tenant Management Organisation to become a self-financing tenant management organisation, to enable them to manage the Springs Estate more effectively, build resilience in the community and improve tenant satisfaction and neighbourhood regeneration.

The Cabinet Member for Housing services reported that a Proposal Notice will be issued to all tenants, followed by a formal secret ballot, at least 50% of all votes cast + 1 must be in favour of the self-financing proposal.  A continuation ballot will take place every 5 years as it does at present.  The Council and Six Town Housing will determine service levels/charging arrangements for the services they currently provide.  Regular governance and monitoring meetings will be held between STMO and STH to gauge performance and ensure compliance.

Delegated decision:

1. Support the proposal for Springs Tenant Management Organisation to become a self-financing tenant management organisation, subject to a formal ballot of tenants on the Springs Estate.

2. Approve the arrangements for implementation as set out in this report.

Reasons for the decision:

The process must follow the Housing (Right to Manage) (England) Regulations 2012, which give Tenant Management Organisation’s the right to manage and propose to their local authority, how that should operate. The process outlined in the report is in accordance with those regulations and has had the benefit of legal advice. Further legal input will be required in finalising the management agreement.

Other option considered and rejected:

Do nothing – The Council would continue to manage the Springs Estate.

A report from Councillor O’Brien, Leader of the Council is attached.

The Leader of the Council, presented a report providing details of the impact of COVID-19 across the Borough.  The report gives a strategic overview of the Council’s response to the national emergency, the impacts on service delivery and financial impact. The report also sets out a framework for the development of a recovery plan.

Bury Council has overseen a significant and timely response to the emerging threat of the pandemic in Bury. This has involved the redeployment of staff to support the most vulnerable and to maintain essential services, support to businesses and suppliers, strong partnership working with health and care and other agencies, a significant communications effort and close working with local communities and voluntary groups. Schools and early year’s settings have also been supported to rapidly adjust to new government guidance.

The Leader reported to maintain focus on our priorities during the response phase, six objectives were agreed:-

1. To support the NHS and social care to cope with the demands on their

services.

2. To keep providing the essential services the Council provides to the

people and businesses of Bury.

3. To help to reduce transmission of the coronavirus.

4. To support our workforce in all parts of the Council and the CCG.

5. To support volunteers and community action to help residents who are

isolated and in need of help.

6. Supporting the economy of Bury and businesses.

Overall, the Council has overseen a significant and timely response to the

emerging threat of the pandemic in Bury. This has involved the suspension of a number of services, the redeployment of staff to support the most vulnerable, extensive support to business and suppliers, a significant communications effort and close working with local communities and voluntary groups. Schools and early years settings have also been supported to rapidly adjust to new government guidance.

                             Delegated decision:

1.  That the Cabinet record its thanks for all the front line and support service staff that have continued to provide vital services across the Borough;

2. That the Cabinet record its thanks for the work of organisations, staff and volunteers across Bury, including voluntary, faith and community groups, who have enabled a strong co-ordinated response across Bury and ensured vulnerable residents receive the support they need;

3. That the Cabinet note the report and the actions taken in response to the Covid-19 pandemic; and

4. That the Cabinet endorse the proposed approach to recovery.

Councillor Rafiq, Cabinet Member for Corporate Affairs and HR to report.  Report attached.

Councillor Rafiq, Cabinet Member for Corporate Affairs and HR presented a supplementary paper providing Members of the Cabinet with an Equalities update.  This papers sets out a summary of the current approach to equality within the Council and One Commissioning Organisation partnership and proposals for further work to protect vulnerable communities during the current pandemic and to further equality objectives within the partnership.

Delegated decision:

Cabinet agrees to:

·       Note the current commitment to equality including the approach to staff risk assessments, which will expand at pace

·       Endorse the Council’s approach to proposed equality strategy work. A similar decision will be sought from the CCG Governing Body in order that this work may progress via the Strategic Commissioning Board

To consider the minutes of meetings of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority.

For Information only.

Schools Update – Councillor Tariq, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Skills will report.  Report attached.

NB: The Chair agreed that the following item “Resetting the Education Service in Bury / additional support” that was not included on the published agenda could be considered as a matter of urgency. 

Councillor Tariq, Deputy Leader, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Skills provided Members of the Cabinet with a report outlining the work the Department of Children and Young People have undertaken to support Schools in the safe return of children to school.

This report provides a further update on the progress being made during the

Covid-19 pandemic to reset the education service. It presents the conclusions of the latest Public Health England analysis of the Bury position, in a regional and national context.

Councillor Tariq Deputy Leader, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Skills reported to Members of the Cabinet the latest national guidance on pupil return to school and proposed a local response to resetting the education.  As well as key issues and concerns which have been identified and mitigation to secure safe practices, whilst the service is being recovered over the coming weeks and months.

Delegated Decision:

Cabinet agrees to:

Subject to COVID secure health and safety provisions being met, that the target dates for Schools to return, are as follows:

·         no later than 22^nd June for groups of Reception, Year 1 & Year 6 and;

·         week commencing the 15th June for Year 10, other year groups will return no later than the new academic year, in line with national guidance

To consider passing the appropriate resolution under Section 100 (A)(4), Schedule 12(A) of the Local Government Act 1972, that the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the reason that the following business involves the disclosure of exempt information as detailed against the item.

Delegated decision:

Cabinet agrees that under Section 100 (A)(4), Schedule 12(A) of the Local Government Act 1972, that the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the reason that the following business involves the disclosure of exempt information as detailed against the item.

A report from Councillor O’Brien, Leader of the Council is attached.

The Leader of the Council, presented a report to agree a mechanism to enable the Council to respond quickly to both, changes in the housing market and intelligence on the first phase sites, in order to get best value and on site as soon as possible.

Delegated Decision:

The Cabinet agrees to:

1. Agree that every site will come back to Cabinet with a full financial appraisal before any detailed submission for planning is made.

2. Agree delegation of housing procurement decision to the Section 151 officer, in consultation with the Leader, in accordance with Council procurement Policy.

3. Agree same delegation to add new sites into the first phase program if required to achieve best value and get on site to timescales.

Reasons for the decision:

This report seeks delegated authority to flex our procurement route (re the development of “First Phase Housing Sites”) in response to changes in the housing market. Not having that flexibility could be detrimental to value for money.

Other option considered and rejected:

To reject the recommendations.

A report from Councillor Rafiq, Cabinet Member Corporate Affairs and HR is attached.

The Cabinet member for Corporate Affairs and HR, presented a report providing details of the Council’s HR/Payroll system contractual negotiations.

Delegated decision:

Cabinet agrees to:

·         Note the position on the i-Trent contract and the need to ensure arrangements are in place when the contract ends on 31 July 2020;

·         Approve Option 2 (detailed in the body of the report) as the approach for securing the licence;

·         Note that the costs will be met from within the Council’s approved Capital programme;

·         Note the risks relating to procurement and the mitigations that are in place to manage this.

Reasons for the decision:

It is in the best overall interest of the Council to proceed in this manner to ensure that an effective payroll system is in place at the expiry of the current contract.

Other option considered and rejected:

To reject the recommendations.