Agenda and minutes

Members of the Council are requested to declare any interests which they have in any items or issues before the Council for determination.

The following declarations of interest were made at the meeting in relation

to items on the agenda:

1. Councillor Quinn declared a personal interest in all matters under consideration as his son and daughter work for the NHS, CAB and he is a member of the Trade Union, Unite.

2. Councillors Vernon, Hussain and Cropper declared personal interest in the CXXX Liberal Democratic motion as they work for the local MP.

3. Councillor J Daly declared a personal interest in CXXX Liberal Democratic motion as the Member of Parliament for Bury North

4. Councillors Harris and McGill declared personal interests in CXXX Conservative motion as Members of the Bury Market Regeneration task group

5. Councillor Simpson declared a personal interest in all matters under consideration as an NHS employee.

6. Councillor S. Wright declared a personal interest all matters under consideration as his wife works for a school in the Borough.

7. Councillor Leach declared a personal interest in all matters under consideration as an NHS employee.

The minutes of the meeting held on 08^th July 2020 are attached.

RESOLVED:

That the Minutes of the Meeting of Council held on 8 July 2020 be signed by the Mayor as a true and correct record.

To receive communications from the Mayor and any announcements by the Leader of the Council or the Chief Executive on matters of interest to the Council.

The Worshipful Mayor informed Members that tomorrow, 10 September 2020 is World Suicide Prevention Day. 

The Mayor reported that Bury Samaritans is this year’s Mayor’s charity and that they do a tremendous job in supporting people through very difficult times. It is more important than ever to mark World Suicide Prevention Day and the Mayor asked if members will join him in sharing information about the day through their social media channels tomorrow. 

To answer questions from members of the public, notice of which has been given, on any matter relevant to the Council or its services to the community. Up to 30 minutes will be set aside for this purpose.

No questions were received in advance of the meeting.

Meeting of Cabinet 2nd September 2020 – Treasury Management Report

It was moved by Councillor O’Brien and seconded by Councillor Tariq and it was:-

RESOLVED:

Council approves the Treasury Management Review 2019/20 report and the prudential and treasury indicators presented in the report.

Meeting of Cabinet 2nd September 2020 – Appointments Update

It was moved by Councillor O’Brien and seconded by Councillor Tariq and it was:-

RESOLVED:

That the changes to the Cabinet Portfolio be noted.

Report attached.

It was moved by Councillor Rafiq and seconded by Councillor O’Brien and it   was:-

RESOLVED:

That Lisa Kitto be appointed as interim Section 151 Officer and Director of Financial Transformation with immediate effect and until the successful appointment of a permanent Director of Financial Transformation and Section 151 officer is made.

Report attached.

It was moved by Councillor O’Brien and seconded by Councillor Tariq and it was:-

RESOLVED:

That Council notes the Executive Key Decisions that have been taken as urgent items and that these decisions are exempt from call-in in.

To receive a Statement from the Leader of the Council on the work of the Cabinet and to answer written questions from Members of the Council to the Leader and Cabinet Members on any matter in relation to which the Council has powers or duties which affect the Borough, provided the necessary written notice has been given.

Questions and responses attached.

(a)    Written question (Notice given)

The Leader of the Council, Councillor E O’Brien, made a statement on the work undertaken by him since the date of the last Council meeting.

The Leader and the relevant Cabinet Members answered questions raised by Councillors on the following issues:

Due to the lack of time to answer questions 12 to 21 inclusive, the Leader gave an undertaking that copies of those questions and responses will be circulated to all Councillors. The Leader also gave an undertaking to make these available on the Council Web Site.

b)     Verbal Questions

(A)        A report on the work of the Combined Authority its attached.

(B)        Questions (if any) on the work of the Joint Authorities to be asked by Members of the Council for which the necessary notice has been given in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 11.2

Questions and responses attached.

(a) The Council received a report on the work of the Combined Authorities.

(b) The following questions had been received in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 11.2.

(1)        Protecting the public’s say in the planning process

A motion had been received and set out in the Summons in the names of:

Councillors M Powell, C Tegolo and S Wright

This Council notes:

1             The publication by Government of the White Paper, ‘Planning for the Future’ on 6 August 2020, which set out proposals on reforms to the planning process for the future.

2             That the vast majority of planning applications are given the go ahead by local authority planning committees, with permission granted to around 9 out of 10 applications.

3             That research by the Local Government Association has said that there are existing planning permissions for more than one million homes that have not yet been started.

This Council is concerned that the proposals seek to:

1        Reduce or remove the right of residents to object to applications near them.

2       Grant automatic rights for developers to build on land identified as ‘for growth’.

3        Remove section 106 payments for infrastructure and their replacement with a national levy.

This Council Further Notes:

1        The Royal Institute for British Architects called the proposals ‘shameful and which will do almost nothing to guarantee delivery of affordable, well-designed and sustainable homes’. RIBA also said that proposals could lead to the next generation of slum housing.                                                                                                                      

2        The reforms are opposed by the all-party Local Government Association, currently led by Conservative Councillors.

This Council Believes:

1     That existing planning procedures, as currently administered by our own team in Bury, allow for local democratic control over future development, and give local people a say in planning proposals that affect them.

2     That proposals for automatic rights to build in ‘growth’ areas, and increased permitted development rights, risk unregulated growth and unsustainable communities.

3     That local communities must be in the driving seat on shaping the future of their communities, and local determination of the planning framework and planning applications play an important part in this process.

This Council resolves to:

1             Take part in the consultation in the planning proposals, and to make representations against the proposals as outlined in this motion.

2             Write to and lobby both of our Members of Parliament, urging them to oppose these proposals and to circulate their replies to members.

3.        Highlight its concerns over these proposals with the public and local residents.       

(ii)    Thank Our Key Workers Properly and Deliver Fair Funding for Bury Public Services

A motion had been received and set out in the Summons in the names of:

Councillors J Black, S Briggs, R Cathcart, A Cummings, C Cummins, R Gold, J Grimshaw, M Hayes, S Haroon, T Holt, D Jones, K Leach, G McGill, C Morris, B Mortenson, E O’Brien, A Quinn, T Rafiq, A Simpson, L Smith, S Smith, Sarah Southworth, Susan Southworth, T Tariq, K Thomas, S Walmsley, C Walsh and M Whitby

We the undersigned wholeheartedly thank our key workers, NHS staff and council employees for keeping essential services running throughout this pandemic. We thank many of  ...  view the full agenda text for item C. 201

A motion had been received and set out in the Summons in the names of:

Councillors M Powell, C Tegolo and S Wright

(i) Protecting the public’s say in the planning process

This Council notes:

1.    The publication by Government of the White Paper, ‘Planning for the Future’ on 6 August 2020, which set out proposals on reforms to the planning process for the future.

2.   That the vast majority of planning applications are given the go ahead by local authority planning committees, with permission granted to around 9 out of 10 applications.

3.    That research by the Local Government Association has said that there are existing planning permissions for more than one million homes that have not yet been started.

This Council is concerned that the proposals seek to:

1.  Reduce or remove the right of residents to object to applications near them.

2.  Grant automatic rights for developers to build on land identified as

‘for growth’.

3.  Remove section 106 payments for infrastructure and their replacement with a national levy.

This Council Further Notes:

1.    The Royal Institute for British Architects called the proposals ‘shameful and which will do almost nothing to guarantee delivery of affordable, well-designed and sustainable homes’. RIBA also said that proposals could lead to the next generation of slum housing.                                                                                                                      

2.   The reforms are opposed by the all-party Local Government Association, currently led by Conservative Councillors.

This Council Believes:

1. That existing planning procedures, as currently administered by our own team in Bury, allow for local democratic control over future development, and give local people a say in planning proposals that affect them.
2. That proposals for automatic rights to build in ‘growth’ areas, and increased permitted development rights, risk unregulated growth and unsustainable communities.
   
   
3. That local communities must be in the driving seat on shaping the future of their communities, and local determination of the planning framework and planning applications play an important part in this process.

This Council resolves to:

1.   Take part in the consultation in the planning proposals, and to make representations against the proposals as outlined in this motion.

2.   Write to and lobby both of our Members of Parliament, urging them to oppose these proposals and to circulate their replies to members.

3.   Highlight its concerns over these proposals with the public and local residents.       

On being put, with 46 for voting for, 0 voting against, and with the Mayor and Councillor James Daly abstaining, the Mayor declared the motion carried. 

(ii)    Thank Our Key Workers Properly and Deliver Fair Funding for Bury Public Services

A motion had been received and set out in the Summons in the names of:

Councillors J Black, S Briggs, R Cathcart, A Cummings, C Cummins, R Gold, J Grimshaw, M Hayes, S Haroon, T Holt, D Jones, K Leach, G McGill, C Morris, B Mortenson, E O’Brien, A Quinn, T Rafiq, A Simpson, L Smith, S Smith, Sarah Southworth, Susan Southworth, T Tariq, K Thomas, S Walmsley, C Walsh and M  ...  view the full minutes text for item C. 201