Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies received.

Members of Cabinet are asked to consider whether they have an interest in any of the matters of the Agenda and, if so, to formally declare that interest.

There were no declarations of interest.

Questions are invited from members of the public about the work of the Cabinet.

Notice of any question must be given to Democratic Services by midday on Monday, 3^rd November 2025. 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, Marlene Dawson:

When is it proposed to replace the picture of Queen Elizabeth II with that if King Charles III in the Council Chamber?

Responding, Councillor Gold advised that Bury Council has two official portraits of His Majesty King Charles III: one which is currently used for Citizenship ceremonies, and another which is displayed in the Mayor’s Parlour for formal occasions. The intention is to replace the portrait of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in the Council Chamber with a portrait of King Charles III as part of a future refurbishment of the Chamber. He undertook to ensure that a discussion around changing the photo sooner is had outside this meeting and thanked Ms Dawson for raising this. He advised that the reason the picture of the late Queen has been kept is a sentimental one, as she opened the Town Hall and was present for the unveiling foundation stone in 1937.

Ms Dawson replied that it’s symptomatic that you stop seeing familiar things around you. She expected there to be pictures of the King elsewhere, but the meetings are permanent records for posterity.

Questions are invited from Elected Members about items on the Cabinet agenda. 15 minutes will be set aside for Member Question Time, if required.

Notice of any Member question must be given to the Monitoring Officer by midday Friday 31^st October 2025.

There were no Member questions.

Minutes from the meeting held on 15 October 2025 are attached.

It was agreed:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 15 October 2025 be approved as a correct record.

Report of the Leader and Cabinet Member for Strategic Growth is attached.

The Leader and Cabinet Member for Strategic Growth presented a report regarding the development of a Northern Gateway Transport Framework Document, Social Value Strategy and accompanying Delivery Plan, and an updated 5-year Business Plan and accompanying Delivery Plan. This was the next step to move forward with delivery of a site that can deliver a generation of job creation, and as such there was a need to ensure it is well connected by public transport and is delivered in a way that benefits local people and maximises social value as much as possible.

In response to Members’ questions it was noted that the investment needed was being quantified, but major work was underway to develop a funding mechanism that works for public and private sectors. This report ensured that expectations were more than a wish list; that they were formally set out and the means of who would provide funding, for what, and when, could be established. Members discussed the commitment to Real Living Wage and GM Good Employment Charter employers, and noted this set out the intention of good quality jobs and good quality employers for the project, and would hopefully attract similar employers for the site.

With regards to transport, it was noted that the 60% estimated car use to the site was an achievable target, and still marked an improvement on current commuting. Members recognised the importance of securing public transport to the site, and it was noted as additional investment and transport comes forward and the public transport system improves, we can improve this ratio and secure opportunities for all residents across the borough. In response to a Members question regarding the benefits to small, local businesses, it was noted that existing GM experience and the Social Value Strategy allowed for this; to influence those responsible for the procurement to look for local opportunities through supply chains, starting with Bury before moving further out, and showcasing the benefits of using local businesses and labour.

Decision:

Cabinet:

1.    Endorsed the Northern Gateway Transport Framework Document and delegated authority to the Executive Director (Place – Business, Growth and Infrastructure) to make adjustments to the document as the Northern Gateway project progresses;

2.    Endorsed the Northern Gateway Social Value Strategy and Delivery Plan and delegated authority to the Executive Director (Place – Business, Growth and Infrastructure) to make adjustments to the documents as the Northern Gateway project progresses;

3.    Noted the implementation of the MDC Business Plan and annual Delivery Plan in advance of MDC implementation to enable the work of the Northern Gateway Strategic Board to move forward at pace and delegated authority to the Executive Director (Place – Business, Growth and Infrastructure) to make adjustments to it as the project progresses;

4.    Noted the MDC Business Plan and annual Delivery Plan will be brought back to Cabinet for final approval once the MDC Board has been established and has formally approved the documents; and

5.    Noted the Rochdale Borough Council’s intention to take a similar report to  ...  view the full minutes text for item CA.70

Report of the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member, Finance and Transformation is attached.

The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Transformation presented a report regarding the Council’s Council Tax Support (CTS) scheme, which had been reviewed to ensure it remains fair, efficient, and sustainable. Three alternative models had been modelled to explore simplification and fairness, with option 3 recommended for approval to go out for public consultation:

•              20% minimum payment

•              Only earned income included in assessment

•              £8k capital limit

•              £40.00 flat non dependant deduction

•              Higher income ‘bands’ used for assessment

This increases average awards, benefits 88% of claimants, reduces administrative burden and only cost £65k more than the current scheme. It was noted the scheme only applied to working age residents.

Decision:

Cabinet:

1.    Approved a consultation to present options to move to a CTS scheme based on the principles of Option 3 (an earnings-only assessment, £8k capital limit, £40 flat deduction, higher income bands. Increases average awards, benefits 88 per cent of claimants, and costs only £65k more than the current scheme);

2.    Agreed that officers prepare the final scheme parameters, conduct a full EIA, and undertake statutory consultation; and

3.    Noted that adoption must be by Full Council and that equality compliance, UC alignment, and administrative readiness be confirmed before implementation in 2026/27.

Reasons for the decision:

Option 3 is identified as the most viable reform option based on analysis.

Alternative options considered and rejected:

·         Option 1: Reduced capital limit (£6k), higher B and C cap, £65 flat non-dependant deduction. Yields large savings (£6.8m) but severe losses for 99% of claimants.

·         Option 2: Retains £8k capital limit, £40 flat non dependant deduction, up to 100% support. Produces £3.4m savings but reduces generosity and removes support for many families with children.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Communities and Inclusion is attached.

The Cabinet Member for Communities and Inclusion presented a report regarding a commissioning exercise to secure refreshed Safe Accommodation provision up to March 2028, as part of Bury’s Domestic Abuse Safe Accommodation Strategy approved by Cabinet in April. The Strategy had informed the Council’s commissioning intentions to secure future provision based on local insight The Social Value Strategy allowed for this, to influence those responsible for the procurement.

In response to Members’ questions, it was noted that, in awarding contracts like this, it was crucial that the organisation was in-line with the Council’s principles. A number of deliverables were set out in the management agreement with Safenet, and quality would be assessed though regular monitoring.

Decision:

Cabinet:

1.    Approved the award of Domestic Abuse Safe Accommodation provision to Safenet for a two year & five month term with a total contract value of £917,935 (£379,835 x 2 years + 5/12 taking to end of March 2028) following a competitive tender process; and

2.    Approved the award of core IDVA provision to Safenet for a two year & five month term with a total contract value of £724,635 (£299,849 x 2 years + 5/12 taking to end of March 2028) following a competitive tender process.

Reasons for the decision:

·         The Safe Accommodation strategy delivers on a statutory requirement within the Domestic Abuse Bill to review and ensure provision to meet local need. This contract award is secures provision to meet such requirements, having undertaken a competitive process to source a provider.

·         A competitive tendering process under the Procurement Act 2023 was advertised with multiple applications received across the two contracts which were assessed and moderated to determine the most advantageous tender.

Alternative options considered and rejected:

·         Do nothing – this was not a viable option given the requirement to deliver against the Domestic Abuse Bill and given that existing contracts were coming to an end.

·         Deliver in-house – this was not a viable option given the specialist nature of support and in particular for the IDVA roles the need for independence.

·         Extend existing contracts – this was rejected in order to meet procurement guidelines and to not run an exercise with an updated approach would fail to capitalise on the journey made in recent years but more importantly miss the opportunity to further tailor and target the focus of such support provision.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Housing Services is attached.

The Cabinet Member for Housing Services presented a report regarding a contract for the delivery of Reactive Damp, Mould Treatment and Ancillary Works within Housing Services. In response to Members’ questions it was noted that the contract would be implemented as soon as the report was agreed. There was ambition to eventually have this service in-house, but this contract allowed residents to have their requirements met within required timescales while in-house resources were developed. It was noted that Bell Group had a strong reputation in this area, but that the contract would be managed and monitored regularly through the use of KPIs. Members discussed the importance of Awaab’s Law, responding to residents and ensuring the balance of power between residents and landlords was more even, and noted that GM was the first City Region to adopt the Good Landlord Model and, as such, housing standards across private rented, social, or Council housing should improve. 

Decision:

Cabinet approved the award of the new Damp, Mould Treatment and Ancillary Works Contract to Bell Group for 36 months until November 2028.

Reasons for the decision:

The contract delivers Landlord Statutory Compliance Services under Awaab’s Law on behalf of the Council.

Alternative options considered and rejected:

None.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Customer Service, Communications and Corporate Affairs is attached.

The Cabinet Member for Customer Service, Communications and Corporate Affairs presented a report regarding amendments to the appointments made at the Annual Council meeting in response to changes in the Conservative Group

Decision:

Cabinet noted the changes.

Reasons for the decision:

N/A

Alternative options considered and rejected:

N/A

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

There was one item of urgent business.

Report of the Leader and Cabinet Member for Strategic Growth is attached.

The Leader and Cabinet Member for Strategic Growth presented a report regarding nominations for Freedoms of the Borough, as agreed by Group Leaders at Democratic Arrangements Forum. The Leader briefly paid tribute to Councillor Joan Grimshaw, for her decades of service and breadth of the work and support she had provided, and to Keith and Helen Atkinson, who have done amazing things for Looked After Children in the borough for decades along with wider fostering support. It was noted that the ceremony would be held in January, subject to Council approval.

Decision:

Cabinet approved the nominations of Keith and Helen Atkinson and Councillor Joan Grimshaw for Council approval, and agreed that a ceremony be arranged for January 2026.

Reasons for the decision:

To recognise the nominees’ achievements as well as their exceptional service.

Alternative options considered and rejected:

None.

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.

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.

Report of the Leader and Cabinet Member for Strategic Growth is attached.

The Leader and Cabinet Member for Strategic Growth presented the Part B report containing the full financial information.

Decision:

Cabinet:

1.    Endorsed the Northern Gateway Transport Framework Document and delegated authority to the Executive Director (Place – Business, Growth and Infrastructure) to make adjustments to the document as the Northern Gateway project progresses;

2.    Endorsed the Northern Gateway Social Value Strategy and Delivery Plan and delegated authority to the Executive Director (Place – Business, Growth and Infrastructure) to make adjustments to the documents as the Northern Gateway project progresses;

3.    Noted the implementation of the MDC Business Plan and annual Delivery Plan in advance of MDC implementation to enable the work of the Northern Gateway Strategic Board to move forward at pace and delegated authority to the Executive Director (Place – Business, Growth and Infrastructure) to make adjustments to it as the project progresses;

4.    Noted the MDC Business Plan and annual Delivery Plan will be brought back to Cabinet for final approval once the MDC Board has been established and has formally approved the documents; and

5.    Noted the Rochdale Borough Council’s intention to take a similar report to their Executive.

Reasons for the decision:

As set out for the Part A report.

Alternative options considered and rejected:

As set out for the Part A report.