Agenda and minutes

Councillor Quinn declared a personal interest in respect of all matters under consideration, as both his son and daughter in law are employed by the NHS, his wife is employed by the Citizens Advice Bureau and he is a member of the trade union, Unite.

Questions are invited from members of the public about the work of the Council and the Council’s services.

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

The following question was submitted in advance of the meeting by a member of the public, Mrs Jane Price:

The consultation document states that there will be flood prevention work, additional infrastructure for drains, roads, new bike paths and a school. Where can I see the detailed plans and costings for these? How will you reassure the public that this will happen?

And why is there no mention of what happens to the wildlife living in the Bury areas (Walshaw in particular).

Responding, Councillor O’Brien, Leader of the Council reported thatthe sites proposed in the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework are accompanied by a wide range of supporting evidence documents, including those relating to physical infrastructure, such as new roads and flood risk mitigation measures, and also social infrastructure, such as new schools.  The supporting evidence also looks at the costs of the sites to ensure they are viable.  

This evidence has been used to determine the detailed policies within the GMSF relating to each of the proposed site allocations, which stipulate all of the infrastructure requirements that will be needed as part of any planning application.  For all of the sites, including Walshaw, there are requirements to ensure that appropriate mitigation is provided with regard to any loss of habitat and biodiversity assets.   

If the policy requirements are not met then this would be grounds for refusal of a planning application.

All of this information is available on the Combined Authority’s web site and this information has been summarised in the Topic Papers that are appended to the Cabinet Report.

A further supplementary question was submitted:

Why was planning permission for a one storey building driving range previously turned down for Walshaw Bury, as this land was classed as key to the local environment and community? How can this proposal justify destroying it now and it's wildlife with so many areas old industrial areas around Manchester which need redeveloping? This goes against the clean air and pollution policies which Greater Manchester has in place.

The planning application for a golf driving range on land between the Bolholt Hotel and Tottington Road was refused in June 1993 - over 27 years ago.  The proposals were not in accordance with planning policies at the time.

Councillor O’Brien reported that in terms of developing on brownfield land, the vast majority of new homes across the conurbation will be developed on such sites.  However, there is not sufficient brownfield land to meet our housing needs over the plan period in Bury, as set out in the Cabinet Report.  The GMSF and associated documents seek to introduce an updated policy framework that new developments will need to adhere to, which seek to improve air quality across the conurbation – including electric charging points in new homes.   

Minutes from the meeting held on 14^th October 2020 are attached.

It was agreed:

Minutes of the meeting held on 14 October 2020 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Report from the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Finance and Growth;

Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing; and

Cabinet Member for Communities and Emergency Planning attached.

Any other business which by reason of special circumstances the Chair agrees may be considered as a matter of urgency.

Councillor Simpson, Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing presented a report from herself, the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Finance and Growth; and the Cabinet Member for Communities and Emergency Planning.

The report built on previous reports to Cabinet; the latest being on 14 October 2020 and provided an overview of the current epidemiology of Covid-19 in Bury, an update on the implications of the current lockdown and local action being taken.

The report also proposed a new six-month plan to guide the next phase of the Borough’s action to supress the pandemic, maintain health and care services and respond to the wider impacts on Bury people and businesses. 

It was explained that Key developments nationally have occurred within recent days and it is important that Members are given the latest information on this fast moving emergency. 

On Thursday, 5 November 2020 the Government introduced new national restrictions to replace the Local Covid Alert Level measures. The new measures apply nationally for up to four weeks up to and including Wednesday, 2 December. Government anticipate that at the end of that period there will be a return to a regional approach, based on the latest data. These measures are underpinned by law enforceable by the Police and other authorities.

The new measures seek to reduce the growth rate of the virus, which will:

·         Prevent the NHS from being overwhelmed.

·         Ensure schools, colleges and universities can stay open.

·         Ensure that as many people as possible can continue to work.

Delegated decisions:

The Cabinet:

1.   Notes the update and Bury’s response to the Covid-19 emergency.

2.   Notes the proposed outline plan set out in this report for the next six months of Bury living with Covid, with a further report being submitted to the next Cabinet for approval.

A report from Councillor Lucy Smith, Cabinet Member for Transport and Infrastructure is attached.

Councillor Lucy Smith, Cabinet Member for Transport and Infrastructure presented the Greater Manchester Transport Strategy 2040, Our Five Year Delivery Plan (2020-2025) and Local Implementation Plans.

The report provided details of the content and publication arrangements for the refreshed Greater Manchester Transport Strategy 2040, Our Five Year Delivery Plan (2020-2025) and Local Implementation Plans. The report considers these documents alongside other planned strategic activities.

Delegated decisions:

Cabinet agrees to:

1.   Endorse the refreshed Greater Manchester Transport Strategy 2040 and Our Five-Year Delivery Plan for approval by GMCA and publication in November 2020, alongside GMSF.

2.   Approve the publication of the supporting Local Implementation Plan as an appendix to Our Five-Year Delivery Plan, acknowledging that these are “live” documents and will be subject to regular review and update as appropriate.

Reasons for the decision:

Approval of the recommendations will assist in GM Council’s being able to access future funding and initiatives to help deliver the transport related schemes set out in the suite of transport documents referred to in this report.

Other option considered and rejected:

To reject the recommendations.

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

Appendix 1 – Index of Documents

Appendix 2A. GM1.1 Heywood Pilsworth Topic Paper October 2020

Appendix 2B. GM1.2 Simister Bowlee Topic Paper October 2020

Appendix 2C. GM7 Elton Reservoir Topic Paper October 2020

Appendix 2D. GM 9 Walshaw Topic Paper October 2020

Appendix 2E. GM8 Seedfield Topic Paper October 2020

Appendix 3. Treatment of UDP Policies

Appendix 4. Equality Analysis Form

All documents can be found under the respective headings at:

https://www.greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk/what-we-do/housing/gmsf2020/supporting-documents/

The Leader of the Council, Councillor O’Brien presented a report setting out some background information that gives a summary of what the GMSF is and why it is being produced.

Following consultation on two previous drafts in 2016 and 2019, Greater Manchester’s Plan for Homes, Jobs and the Environment (the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework [GMSF]) has now progressed to the Publication stage. 

This Publication GMSF is the version that each of the Greater Manchester districts believe should be submitted to the Government for Examination.

It then sets out a strategic overview of what the GMSF is planning for across Greater Manchester and highlights the key proposals for Bury in terms of homes, jobs, the environment, infrastructure and other background information. It also describes the key benefits that the GMSF will bring to Bury and examines the implications of Covid and the recently released Planning White Paper before setting out when and how consultation on the Publication GMSF will take place.

Delegated decisions:

That Cabinet:

1.   Approves the GMSF: Publication Draft 2020, including strategic site allocations and green belt boundary amendments, and reference to the potential use of compulsory purchase powers to assist with site assembly, and the supporting background documents, for publication pursuant to Regulation 19 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 for a period for representations between 1 December 2020 November and 26 January 2021.; 

2.   Recommends that Council approves the GMSF: Publication Draft 2020 for submission to the Secretary of State for examination following the period for representations;

3.   Delegates to the Director of Economic Regeneration & Capital Growth authority to approve the relevant Statement of Common Ground(s) required pursuant to the National Planning Policy Framework 2019;

4.   Delegates authority to the Lead Chief Executive, Housing, Homelessness and Infrastructure, in consultation with the Portfolio Leader for Housing, Homelessness and Infrastructure to make minor or non-material amendments to the GMSF: Publication Draft 2020 and background documents prior to their publication.

Reasons for the decision:

An up-to-date plan – Bury’s current development plan is the Unitary Development Plan which was adopted in 1997 and is now significantly out of date. The Council has twice tried and failed to get a replacement plan in place over that time but this met with significant challenge as it did not meet housing needs.

The Government has indicated that it will intervene in and potentially take over the plan-making process where local authorities do not have an up-to-date plan by December 2023 – which could remove local controls over plan-making.

The GMSF will enable Bury to avoid these sanctions by meeting its statutory requirement to have an up-to-date plan in place covering strategic planning issues.

A stronger local economy – One of the key aims of the GMSF is to significantly boost the competitiveness and economic output from the north of the conurbation in order to address the current imbalance in the Greater Manchester economy. The proposal at the Northern Gateway (Heywood/Pilsworth) is key to the delivery of  ...  view the full minutes text for item CA.301

A report from Councillor Eamonn O’Brien Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Finance and Growth and Councillor Tahir Rafiq, Cabinet Member for Corporate Resources and HR is attached.

The Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Finance and Growth, Councillor O’Brien presented a report submitted by himself and Councillor Tahir Rafiq, Cabinet Member for Corporate Resources and HR.

The report explained that the Local Government Boundary Commission for England has identified Bury as requiring a review of Council Size (number of councillors) and warding arrangements as it is almost twenty years since the last review was carried out.

The review will be carried out in a number of stages, initially looking at Council Size and then distribution of wards, including consideration of any ward name changes.

The Council has established a Member Working Group chaired by the Leader of the Council and consisting of the Leaders of all political parties in the Borough.  The work of the group is supported by officers from Legal and Democratic Services, Planning and Communications sections.

The Working Group has supported the proposed contents of the Council Size Submission.

Recognition from all of the Members present at the meeting was given to the hard work of the Council Officers and the cross party Working Group in undertaking the work in relation to the review.

Delegated decision:

Cabinet recommend to Council that:

1.     The Council’s response, as part of the preliminary period reviewing the number of councillors, to the Local Government Boundary Commission for England as set out in Appendix 1 be agreed;

2.     Authority be delegated to the Deputy Chief Executive to submit the response to the Local Government Boundary Commission for England, making any minor amendments as required for submission.

Reasons for the decision:

Undertaking the review after a period of almost twenty years justifies the review.

The completion of the review will ensure more effective councillor representation for the electorate of the Borough.

The new Council size and distribution will support the Bury 2030 Strategy by empowering local communities and individuals, and giving clearer responsibility and accountability to Councillors.

Other option considered and rejected:

To reject the recommendations.

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

Councillor O’Brien, Leader of the Council,presented a report updating cabinet on the progression of a First Phase scheme of Fletcher Fold site which is the site of the former Millwood School in the ward of Redvales. The School was demolished in December 2018.

The report set out the background information, location information, scheme proposals and the next steps.

Delegated decisions:

The Cabinet agrees:

1.   That this previously approved site, progress as a scheme for 26 Houses, submit for Planning Permission and progress to tender via the J V North framework, then come back to cabinet for a final approval prior to commitment to any construction contracts.

2.   To progress grant funding application to the new program of Homes England grant funding.

Reasons for the decision:

This scheme is ready to progress to the next phase of detailed work including submission for planning and procurement of a contractor, ready to come back to Cabinet for a final approval prior to signing build contracts and start on site in spring 2021.

Other option considered and rejected:

To reject the recommendations.

To consider the minutes of meetings of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority held on 25^th September 2020.

Delegated decision:

The Cabinet:

Notes the meetings of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority held on 25^th September 2020.

Delegated decision:

That the press and public be excluded from the meeting under Section 100 (A)(4), Schedule 12(A) of the Local Government Act 1972, 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.

Councillor O’Brien, Leader of the Council presented a report updating Cabinet on the progression of a First Phase scheme Fletcher Fold.

Delegated decisions:

That the Cabinet:

1.   Agree that this previously approved site, progress as a scheme for 26 Houses, submit for Planning Permission and progress to tender via the J V North framework, then come back to cabinet for a final approval prior to commitment to any construction contracts.

2.   Agree to progress grant funding application to the new program of Homes England grant funding.

Reasons for the decision:

This scheme is ready to progress to the next phase of detailed work including submission for planning and procurement of a contractor, ready to come back to Cabinet for a final approval prior to signing build contracts and start on site in spring 2021.

Other option considered and rejected:

To reject the recommendations.