Agenda and minutes

Members of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee are asked to consider whether they have an interest in any matters on the agenda and, if so, to formally declare that interest.

Mrs Birchmore asked what had been achieved by the expenditure in Radcliffe and what public consultation had there been.

Paul Lakin responded that this was detailed in the report.  The consultants had worked with the Radcliffe Regeneration Task Group to agree projects and had worked with councillors and businesses to test option.

Mr Jim McDougall from Climate Action Bury asked why there had been little progress since the motion at Council.

Councillor Quinn responded that there had been a lot of action, providing a number of examples such as increased recycling rates, work with City of Trees, working with housing developers to provide Passivhaus construction, LED lighting, and Radcliffe and Redvales flood defences.

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 21 November 2019 are attached

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 19 December 2019 are attached

It was agreed:

That the Minutes of the last meeting held on 12 November 2019 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair

A period of 30 minutes has been set aside for members of the public to ask questions on matters considered at the last meeting and set out in the minutes or on the agenda for tonight’s meeting.

Mrs Birchmore asked what had been achieved by the expenditure in Radcliffe and what public consultation had there been.

Paul Lakin responded that this was detailed in the report.  The consultants had worked with the Radcliffe Regeneration Task Group to agree projects and had worked with councillors and businesses to test option.

Mr Jim McDougall from Climate Action Bury asked why there had been little progress since the motion at Council.

Councillor Quinn responded that there had been a lot of action, providing a number of examples such as increased recycling rates, work with City of Trees, working with housing developers to provide Passivhaus construction, LED lighting, and Radcliffe and Redvales flood defences.

A report from the Leader of the Council is attached

Appendix attached

Lynne Ridsdale, Executive Director – Corporate Core & Deputy Chief Executive, introduced the report which set out details of spend and the work of the cross-party, task force.  The overall budget for the scheme had been approved by Full Council, and a report providing more specific details of expenditure and decisions made would be brought back to Scrutiny at a later meeting.

Members of the committee raised a number of queries and issues including that some of the expenditure was simply used for ‘surface dressing’ and was failing to get the investment achieved such as in places like Ramsbottom.  Concerns were raised about the lack of support being provided to businesses to invest in Radcliffe, such as reducing business rates or rents.  The potential of Radcliffe in terms of transport links was noted.

Paul Lakin, Director of Economic Regeneration & Capital Growth confirmed that the works currently undertaken is only the start of works and a plan for the area, including exploring opportunities such as the strong towns fund will be undertaken.

Members of the committee also asked how the benefits of the investment and their returns was monitored and assessed.

Crispian Logue, Head of Service (Strategic Planning and Economic Development) stated that it was difficult to measure, but feedback on environmental improvements or increased footfall will help to measure this.  A strategic framework for Radcliffe was currently being developed.

The committee also noted that the needs of the local community were important, a gentrification of the area was not what was wanted as this could push out local people.

Paul Lakin agreed, highlighting the need to use the river and the natural environment and develop events for all (e.g. free walking groups).  There is also a need to address the challenging infrastructure; with signification council ownership this is an opportunity to create a town centre that works.

Councillor Tariq noted the successes in the town, such as the market, increased community engagement, increased footfall, and the likelihood of a new school in the future.  All of which should be a catalyst for further regeneration in the future.

It was agreed:

1.   That the report was noted.

2.   That a more detailed report on expenditure and commissioning be presented to a future meeting of the committee.

Report from Councillor T Tariq, Cabinet Member – Children and Families is attached.

Councillor Tariq, Cabinet Member for Children and Families, provided an introduction to the report.

Members of the committee asked what was being done around out of borough placements and if a budget had been requested to invest in bringing them back.

Karen Dolton, Executive Director – Children and Young People, stated that there was a plan to bring sixty-nine children back into the borough, which in itself would generate savings.  Therefore, there was no need to ask for extra money.  The benefits of bringing children back to the borough where emphasised as this will bring them closer to family networks.  Bury is going to take a proactive / can do approach to providing services in the future.

Following questions from the committee about school provision as a result of bringing children back in borough, Karen Dolton confirmed that the service would be working with schools to develop models of provision such as at Elmsbank and St Monica’s.

Karen Dolton also explained the process on EHCs and work with health colleagues to give the necessary levels of support.

It was agreed:

The report be noted.

A Report from Councillor T Tariq, Cabinet Member – Children and Families is attached

It was agreed:

The report be noted and was recognised by the committee as a good piece of work.

A Report from Councillor T Tariq, Cabinet Member – Children and Families is attached

The work undertaken was noted as being a good piece of work.

Members of the committee commented on the loss of social interaction that arose from children being educated at home.

Karen Dolton also explained why children are lost from the system, such as families moving during the school holidays and not notifying their old school.

It was agreed:

The report be noted.

A Report from Councillor T Tariq, Cabinet Member – Children and Families is attached

Following discussion at the meeting, Karen Dolton agreed to present a further report on NEATS to the meeting of the 11 March 2020.

It was agreed:

The report be noted.

Monthly updates be provided to the committee on this topic.

A further report on NEATS be brought to the meeting of 11 March 2020. 

A report from Councillor Richard Gold is attached

Appendix 1 Attached

Appendix 2 Attached

Councillor Richard Gold presented the annual report.

Julie Kenrick discussed the recent peer review by Blackburn and agreed to forward information to members of the committee.

Members of the committee noted the importance of continuing to use former Children’s Centres to provide services in the community.

It was agreed:

The report be noted.

Report from Councillor Quinn - Cabinet Member for Environment and Operations is attached

Members of the committee asked for details on the programme for resurfacing cul-de-sacs and for prioritising work.

Councillor Alan Quinn, Cabinet Member for Environment, discussed the process for prioritising works using local and Department of Transport data.  However, he stressed that major roads would take priority, so some works would be limited due to financial constraints.

Neil Long, Assistant Director, also confirmed that the Council was more proactive in street maintenance, using tools such as the Jet Patcher to repair problems quickly before more significant work was needed.

Councillor Quinn confirmed a list of works to be done was due to be completed imminently.

It was agreed:

The report be noted.

Report from Councillor Quinn - Cabinet Member for Environment and Operations is attached

Committee Members noted that there are still a lot of complaints about the bin collection service, with streets being missed.

Councillor Quinn confirmed that training of all staff was needed to address this concern.

Committee members also asked about charging for replacing brown bins, and what happened if any bins were damaged by the compactor.

Councillor Quinn stated that we would apologise and replace bins damaged by the wagons.  Occasionally bins can be damaged in this way.  The £10 replacement charge was introduced, not to make a profit, but to stop abuse where people were simply not looking for their bins.

It was agreed:

The report be noted.