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 A Quinn declared a personal interest in all matters under consideration as both his son and daughter-in law, work for the NHS, he is a member of the Trade Union, Unite and the Downs Syndrome Association.

2.   Councillor D Quinn declared a personal interest in all matters under consideration as an employee of the Citizens Advice Bureau and a member of the GMB Trade Union

3.   Councillor T Pilkington declared a personal interest in all matters under consideration as an employee of the Manchester Foundation Trust.

4.   Councillor S Walmsley declared a personal interest in all matters under consideration as a member of the Communications Works Union

5.   Councillor A Simpson declared a personal interest in all matters under consideration as both her and her son are employed by the NHS.

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

7.   Councillor S Butler declared a personal interest in all matters under consideration as his partner is employed by Homes England.

8.   Councillor T Holt declared a personal interest in all matters under consideration as a member of the Communications Works Union.

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

10.Councillors Lancaster, Y Wright, Birchmore and Gartside declared personal interest in all matters under consideration as Members of the Bury Folk Keep it Green Group

11.Councillor T Tariq declared a personal interest in all matters under consideration as an employee of Healthwatch.

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 19^th May 2021.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 19^th May 2021 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Mayor.

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 Mayor thanked everybody for their attendance at this in person Council Meeting.  The Mayor paid tribute to Bury Resident Tina Harrison for her recently awarded MBE for services to the community and also congratulated James Guy following his Olympic swimming Gold medal. 

A minutes silence was observed following the passing of former Councillor, Jim Taylor.

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. If time permits, further questions will be invited from members of the public present.

Questions and responses are attached.

Notice had been received of 8 questions, due to the number of items scheduled for consideration, questions were only answered from those members of the public present at the meeting. The Leader gave an undertaking that copies of those questions and responses not taken at the meeting will be circulated to all Councillors. The Leader also gave an undertaking to make these available on the Council Web Site.

Meeting of the Democratic Arrangements Forum 17^th March 2021 – Council Streaming Arrangements

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

Resolved:

Following adoption of the Council Motion in October 2012 in which Members agreed to stream meetings of Full Council, the Group Leaders recommend to Council that streaming of meetings going forward would include in addition to Full Council; meetings of the Council’s Cabinet, the Planning Control Committee as well as meetings of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Health Scrutiny Committee and the Children and Young People’s Scrutiny Committee.

Standards Committee Interviews - Appointment of Independent Persons – June 2021

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

RESOLVED:

Council agrees to the appointment of the following Independent Persons to the Council’s Standards Committee: Craig Ainsworth and Stuart Birtwell.

Meeting of Cabinet 21^st July 2021 – Clean Air Plan

It was moved by Councillor Quinn and seconded by Councillor O’Brien following a request from 8 members present at the meeting in accordance with the Council Procedure rules – recorded vote;

On being put, with Councillors C Boles, C Birchmore, N Boroda, S Butler, C Cummins, U Farooq, R Gold, J Grimshaw, S Haroon, M Hayes,  T Holt, K Leach, J Mason, G McGill, C Morris, B Mortenson, E O’Brien, K Peel, T Pilkington, A Quinn, D Quinn, M Powell, T Rafiq, A Simpson, L Smith, M Smith, G Staple-Jones, T Tariq, K Thomas, S Walmsley, C Walsh, M Whitby, S Wright FOR;

AND

Councillors R Brown, R Bernstein, R A Caserta, P Cropper, LJ Dean, I B Gartside, J Harris, S Hurst, K Hussain, N Jones, J Lancaster, J Lewis, L McBriar, T Rydeheard, D Vernon and Y Wright, against

And the Mayor abstaining;

Council agreed to:

1.   Note the progress of the Greater Manchester Clean Air Plan;

2.   Note the progress in the distribution of Bus Retrofit funding;

3.   Note Ministers’ agreement to include the sections of the A628/A57 in Tameside which form part of the Strategic Road Network within the Greater Manchester’s Clean Air Zone (CAZ) and their request for Tameside MBC, TfGM and Highways England to establish the most appropriate solution for the charging mechanism to be applied on this section of the Strategic Road Network (SRN);

4.   Approve the GM Clean Air Plan Policy, at Appendix 1 noting that the policy outlines the boundary, discounts, exemptions, daily charges of the Clean Air Zone as well as the financial support packages offered towards upgrading to a compliant vehicle, including the eligibility criteria to be applied.

5.   Agree the Equalities Impact Assessment, as set out at Appendix 2;

6.   Agree the AECOM Consultation Report, as set out at Appendix 3;

7.   Agree the proposed Response to the Consultation at Appendix 4 which has been prepared by TfGM on behalf of the ten GM local authorities;

8.   Agree the Impacts of COVID-19 Report, as set out at Appendix 5;

9.   Agree the  ...  view the full minutes text for item C. 5

Report attached. 

The Leader moved, and Councillor Quinn seconded, that the report on the Places for Everyone Plan be approved, following a request from 8 members present at the meeting in accordance with the Council Procedure rules – recorded vote and;

On being put, with Councillors C Boles, N Boroda, S Butler, C Cummins, U Farooq, R Gold, J Grimshaw, S Haroon, M Hayes, T Holt, G McGill, C Morris, B Mortenson, E O’Brien, K Peel, T Pilkington, A Quinn, D Quinn, T Rafiq, A Simpson, L Smith, T Tariq, K Thomas, S Walmsley, C Walsh, M Whitby voting FOR;

AND

Councillors R Brown, R Bernstein, C Birchmore, R A Caserta, P Cropper, LJ Dean, I B Gartside, J Harris, S Hurst, K Hussain, N Jones, J Lancaster, K Leach, J Lewis, J Mason, L McBriar, M Powell, M Smith, G Staple-Jones, T Rydeheard, D Vernon, S Wright, Y Wright and the Mayor voting against;

Council Agrees to:

Submit the Places for Everyone Publication Plan 2021 to the Secretary of State for examination following the period for representations.

Report attached.

Councillor O’Brien moved, and Councillor Tariq seconded, and it was:

Resolved:

That the Council approves submission of the response to Stage 3 of the LGBCE review.

Members resolved to undertake a short adjournment.

To receive a report 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, Cabinet Members and Chair of a Committee 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. (30 Minutes)

A member may ask a verbal question of the Leader, any Member of the Cabinet or Chair of a Committee about any matter on the Council agenda and which the Council has powers or duties or which affects the Borough.  Only one verbal question per Councillor. (15 minutes)

(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:

b)           Verbal Questions

Questions and responses are attached.

(A)        A combined authority update report is attached, for information

(B)        Questions (if any) on the work of the Combined Authority to be asked by Members of the Council for which the necessary notice has been given in accordance with Council Procedure Rules.

 (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 Rules:

Due to the lack of time to answer questions eight and nine, the Mayor gave an undertaking that copies of the questions and responses will be circulated to all Councillors and made available on the Council Web Site.

Questions and responses are attached.

(i)     Public Consultation

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

Bernstein, Brown, Caserta, Cropper, Dean, Gartside, Harris, Lancaster, Hurst, Hussain, N Jones, Lewis, McBriar, Rydeheard, Vernon, Y Wright

Public Consultations are a vital way of getting residents involved and influencing important local decisions. Consulting ensures better decisions, builds understanding and helps progress towards consensus and should be at a stage when there is still scope to influence policy outcome. Considering stakeholders’ views early into the process, stimulates debate and helps ensure all policy options are taken into account. 

 This Council Believes: 

1) The Labour Council is not fully engaging with residents. 

2) Recent consultations such as on the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework and Housing Strategy were not fully inclusive and the Brandlesholme Low Traffic Neighbourhood scheme non-existent.  Any consultation must engage before a decision has been made and consultees must be able to influence the decision outcome of the consultation. 

3) Conducting important consultations such as the Housing Strategy during the height of pandemic is not acceptable as these consultations relied solely on digital communications and Social Media shutting out the digitally inactive residents in our 6 Towns.   

4) Current consultation relies predominantly on people looking for information and visiting Council and social media platforms. A more proactive approach, i.e. direct mail shot would encourage greater involvement. 

This Council believes it is important to consult people, not just on general priorities but on specific proposals and resolves to: 

1) Listen to and engage with all residents and not the selected few. 

2) Ensure groups that need to be included in consultations are included with the option to either send a consultation response back digitally or via a paper-based copy free of charge. 

3) Having engaged with them, be clear about why we have taken a decision and communicate it. 

4) Update and implement Bury’s Consultation strategy

(ii)    Delivering Increased Solar Power

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

Powell, Tegolo and S Wright.

Bury Council commits to implementing a programme of initiatives aimed at increasing its number of solar (photo-voltaic) installations and making it easier for residents and business owners to install them.

Council notes and recognises:

·         The significant environmental and economic benefits of solar panel installation

·         That solar power can be utilised to help the borough achieve its stated commitment to be a Carbon Neutral authority

·         That the North West as a region is lagging behind on solar panel numbers and is below the national average for installations

·         That a number of local authorities have been successful in driving up the number of solar powered homes through initiatives aimed at providing bespoke installation services at no immediate cost to residents

Council is therefore committed to:

·         Increasing the amount of solar generated power in the Borough, as part of a broader shift to being a carbon neutral borough

·         Investigate schemes, including those delivered by other local authorities, to help residents and local businesses assess  ...  view the full agenda text for item C. 12

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

Councillors R Brown, R Bernstein, R A Caserta, P Cropper, LJ Dean, I B Gartside, J Harris, S Hurst, K Hussain, N Jones, J Lancaster, J Lewis, L McBriar, T Rydeheard, D Vernon and Y Wright.  

(i)                 Public Consultation

Public Consultations are a vital way of getting residents involved and influencing important local decisions. Consulting ensures better decisions, builds understanding and helps progress towards consensus and should be at a stage when there is still scope to influence policy outcome. Considering stakeholders’ views early into the process, stimulates debate and helps ensure all policy options are taken into account. 

 This Council Believes: 

1) The Labour Council is not fully engaging with residents. 

2) Recent consultations such as on the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework and Housing Strategy were not fully inclusive and the Brandlesholme Low Traffic Neighbourhood scheme non-existent.  Any consultation must engage before a decision has been made and consultees must be able to influence the decision outcome of the consultation. 

3) Conducting important consultations such as the Housing Strategy during the height of pandemic is not acceptable as these consultations relied solely on digital communications and Social Media shutting out the digitally inactive residents in our 6 Towns.   

4) Current consultation relies predominantly on people looking for information and visiting Council and social media platforms. A more proactive approach, i.e. direct mail shot would encourage greater involvement. 

This Council believes it is important to consult people, not just on general priorities but on specific proposals and resolves to: 

1) Listen to and engage with all residents and not the selected few. 

2) Ensure groups that need to be included in consultations are included with the option to either send a consultation response back digitally or via a paper-based copy free of charge. 

3) Having engaged with them, be clear about why we have taken a decision and communicate it. 

4) Update and implement Bury’s Consultation strategy

On being put, with 22 voting for, 27 voting against, and with the Mayor abstaining, the Mayor declared the motion lost. 

(ii)        Delivering Increased Solar Power

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

Councillors Powell, Tegolo and S Wright

Bury Council commits to implementing a programme of initiatives aimed at increasing its number of solar (photo-voltaic) installations and making it easier for residents and business owners to install them.

Council notes and recognises:

The significant environmental and economic benefits of solar panel installation

That solar power can be utilised to help the borough achieve its stated commitment to be a Carbon Neutral authority

• That the North West as a region is lagging behind on solar panel numbers and is below the national average for installations
• That a number of local authorities have been successful in driving up the number of solar powered homes through initiatives aimed at providing bespoke installation services at no immediate cost to residents.

Council is  ...  view the full minutes text for item C. 12

Following consultation with the Mayor and the Council’s Monitoring Officer they have agreed that the following Emergency Motion will be considered:

Motion received in the names of:

Councillors C Boles, N Boroda, S Butler, C Cummins, U Farooq, R Gold, J Grimshaw, S Haroon, M Hayes, T Holt, K Leach, G McGill, C Morris, B Mortenson, E O’Brien, K Peel, T Pilkington, A Quinn, D Quinn, T Rafiq, A Simpson, L Smith, T Tariq, K Thomas, S Walmsley, C Walsh and M Whitby.

“The Council is asked to note that women in public life - and especially women of colour - are routinely the targets of unacceptable behaviour and abuse, which is often aimed at silencing women's voices. The violence is never acceptable, and that those who serve the public should not have to carry out their work while being intimidated by thugs.

The Council is therefore asked to resolve:-

i) To condemn, in the strongest possible terms, the recent arson attack on the Leader of Oldham Council, Councillor Arooj Shah.

ii) To continue to work alongside the police and criminal justice system, in our own Borough, to protect victims and prevent violence and harassment.

iii) To instruct the Chief Executive to fully implement Bury Council's recent equality review
 

A report setting out progress in respect of Motions passed at the last meeting of Council is attached for information.

The Motion Tracker was circulated for information.

There were no Scrutiny Review Reports or specific items “called in” by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee to be considered at this Council meeting.

Questions on the work of Outside Bodies or partnerships on which the Council is represented to be asked by Members of the Council (if any).

There were no questions received in accordance with Council Procedure Rules.

Questions on the delegated decisions made by the Regulatory Committees and Scrutiny Committees contained in the Digest of Decision

There were no written questions asked on the delegated decisions of the Council Committees.