Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations of interest made at the meeting.

The appropriate Cabinet members will respond to questions submitted in advance about the work of the Council and the Council’s services.

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 11^th March 2020 are attached.

Minutes of the meeting held on 11^th March 2020 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Councillor Dave Jones, Leader of the Council will report.  Report attached.

The Leader presented a report updating Cabinet on the work that has been undertaken by the Markets Task Force, a cross party group established to identify options for the long term future of Bury Market.

              Delegated decision:

              Cabinet agrees to:    

1.   Endorses the work undertaken by the Task Group.

2.   Receive a subsequent report which will contain details of the response to the short-term improvement proposals working through the costs and implications of implementing the shorter-term recommendations at a subsequent meeting of Cabinet.

3.   Approval to release of £50k of the £100k from the Bury Master plan capital budget granted 2019/20.

4.   Retains the cross party task group to monitor and follow the progress of the actions on a quarterly basis.

              Reasons for the decision:

              Bury Market is a major asset for the Borough and has underpinned the success of Bury Town Centre (the third most successful centre within GM).  In 2019 Bury Market won National Association of Recording Merchandisers Best Markets Attraction Award and has won numerous other awards.  However Bury Market, along with markets and town centres nationally has to face the challenges of on-line shopping along with changes to the types of stores on the High Street (who increasingly sell products traditionally sold on Markets).  Since the report was completed in February 2020, the outbreak of COVID 19 has occurred and this is likely to have major ramifications going forwards, which could have a significant impact on the Market

              Other option considered and rejected:

              To reject the recommendations.

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

              The Cabinet Member for Finance and Housing, presented a reported which provided details of a proposal to establish a budget allocation for expenditure on pre development work to assist with furthering the development of the ELPM site.

              To progress the site to the next stage the following works need to be undertaken:

               technical studies, such as updated surveys/ drainage strategies/openspace management/sports facility analysis/technical briefs

               abnormal cost analysis and review

               development appraisal work

               specialist planning /marketing/ legal advice

               land management/ maintenance

              Delegated decision:

              Cabinet agrees to:

1.   Approve the pre-development work as set out in the report and note that costs have already been incurred in relation to support the masterplan and the planning application;

2.   Approve an allocation of £0.120m from the Place Shaping/Growth budget in the council’s capital programme to fund all the costs;

3.   Note the potential for a capital receipt and increased income, including that from council tax, in the future.

              Reasons for the decision:

              The approval of the recommendation will enable expenditure on pre development work to go ahead which will assist in furthering the development on the site.

              Other option considered and rejected:

              To reject the recommendations.

Councillor Andrea Simpson, Cabinet for Health and Wellbeing will report.  Report attached.

              The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, presented a report providing details of a proposal to extend the LCO’s mutually binding agreement until 31^st March 2021.  Bury’s Locality Plan articulated an ambition to bring together the main providers of health and social care services to explore innovative methods of delivery, improve outcomes for Bury people and reduce costs.  To do this seven partner organisations have come together, and from 1 April 2019, signed up to the current version of the Mutually Binding Agreement to form a Local Care Organisation for Bury.

              Delegated decision:

              Cabinet Agrees to:

              1. Note the content of the MBA remains unchanged from that approved for the year to 31 March 2020;

              2. Approve the extension of the MBA until 31 March 2021.

              Reasons for the decision:

              Failure to support this work will result in the Council not delivering transformation in line with the Council’s priorities and GM Devolution

              Other option considered and rejected:

              To reject the recommendations.

A report from the Cabinet Member for Finance and Housing is attached.

              The Cabinet Member for Finance and Housing, presented a report providing details of the impact of COVID-19 on the council’s and CCG’s finances.  The Cabinet Member reported that the impact will be significant and will extend well beyond the period of the immediate crisis.  Assumptions made in assessing the potential impact are likely to change significantly over the course of time and much of this is outside of the control of either organisation.

              Managing the council’s financial position within existing reserves will be challenging and lobbying of central government needs to continue.  Whatever approach is adopted, there is an emerging need for the council to ensure the financial framework within which it operates is as robust as possible and supports future delivery.  It is recommended that this work be undertaken as part of the recovery process.

              A review of the council’s revenue budget and capital programme is needed in the context of COVID-19, with early decisions to be taken around which of the budget priorities agreed in February should continue as planned, and which should be delayed, re-profiled or stopped.  It is proposed that the review is concluded by 30 June.

              The Cabinet Member for Finance and Housing reported that current estimates suggest that the council could be adversely impacted by circa £21m in 20/21.  In addition to this, £2.7m of council savings plans are at risk of which £0.582m have been assessed as red.  This will add further pressure to council budgets. 

              The CCG could be adversely impacted by up to £14m.

                 Delegated decision:

              Cabinet Agrees to:

1.   Note the financial implications and risks associated with Covid-19

2.   Agree the proposed review of the council’s revenue budget and capital programme

3.   Note that CCG plans will need to be revised, with guidance anticipated prior to 31 July.