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.

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 both her son and daughter-in law, work for the NHS

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

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

5.   Councillors Brown and Rydeheard declared personal interests in agenda Common Minimum Licensing Standards C.XXX as they both undertaken legal work representing the Taxi trade.

6.   Councillor LJ Dean declared a personal interest in agenda item Notice of Motion C.XXX as a Chair of Governors

7.   Councillor Farooq declared a personal interest in all matters under consideration as an NHS Employee working at Fairfield General Hospital.

8.   Councillor Lucy Smith declared a personal interest in all matters under consideration as her husband is employed by the NHS.

9.   Councillor Joan Grimshaw declared a personal interest in all matters under consideration as her daughter works for the Combined Authority.

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 8^th September 2021.

That the minutes be agreed subject to the following amendments:

Declarations of Interest

Councillors Brown and Rydeheard declared personal interests in agenda Common Minimum Licensing Standards C.XXX as they both undertaken legal work representing the Taxi trade.

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 reported that Colonel Eric Davidson was unable to be presented with his Plaque in recognition of his work for over half a century in organising the remembrance Sunday parades due to ill health.  The Mayor will ensure the Plaque is delivered to him with the Councillors best wishes.

The Mayor reported the sad news of the death of the former Leader and Mayor, Mike Connolly, the Mayor requested that his condolences and that of all Elected Members present be passed on to Mikes husband Ian and his friends and family.

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.

Notice had been received of 6 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 ofDemocratic Arrangements Forum – 6th October 2021 - Appointment of Co-opted members to the Children and Young Peoples Scrutiny Committee

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

Resolved:

That one Trade Union and one Young Person (chair of the Youth Cabinet) be appointed as co-opted non-voting Members of the Children and Young Peoples Scrutiny Committee.

Employment Panel – 02 November 2021 Business Growth & Infrastructure Department Leadership Structure

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

Resolved:

That the Executive Director (Place and Housing) role (Band H) is redesignated as Executive Director (Place) which has been evaluated at Band G (amended) of the Council’s Chief Officer structure.

That the Assistant Director of Housing role (Band C) is deleted and a Director of Housing role established. This role has been evaluated at Band F of the Council’s Chief Officer structure. The proposed role will report directly to the Chief Executive.

Licensing and Safety Committee 11th November 2021 - Review of Statement of Principles under the Gambling Act 2005

It was moved by Councillor Morris and seconded by Councillor Walmsley and it was:

Resolved:

That the Licensing and Safety Committee notes the report and recommends that Council accept and adopt the proposed Statement of Principles as set out in Appendix 1 to the report without amendment.

Licensing and Safety Committee 11th November 2021 - Common Minimum Licensing Standards- Stage 2 (vehicles)

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

Resolved:

Council approve and adopt the following;

The recommendations presented in Section 4 (Lead Officer Recommendations) for each proposed standard for implementation except for Vehicle Proposed Standard 5 in relation to Vehicle Livery.

That in relation to Vehicle Proposed Standard 5 (Vehicle Livery), Bury Council having carried out further consultation with taxi drivers and operators and following this, it’s recommended that the Council implements the following GM livery standards proposed below:

That all vehicles will:

Display permanently affixed licence plates on the front and back of the vehicle

That all PHVs will:

Only display stickers provided by the licensing authority (at cost) which will bear the operator name and phone number, ‘advanced bookings only’, ‘not insured unless pre-booked’ and the licensing authority logo (the design, dimensions and placement of the stickers on the vehicle is to be determined at a future date)

Display those stickers on both rear side doors and the back window

Not use any magnetic stickers

That any decision regarding the implementation of the proposed ‘GM approved’ bonnet sticker will be delayed for a period of 2 years while more work is carried out with the trade and GMP to address the concerns raised by the trade relating to antisocial behaviour.

That existing vehicle livery standards in Bury will be retained until the new GM livery design, dimensions and placement are confirmed and procured. Ahead of the changes, the existing lively standards will be reviewed to accommodate the  ...  view the full minutes text for item C. 34

Report attached.

It was moved by Councillor O’Brien and seconded by Councillor N Jones, and;

It was agreed:

That consideration of the report from the Independent Remuneration Panel will be deferred to the next meeting of Full Council.

Report attached.

It was moved by Councillor O’Brien and seconded by Councillor N Jones and Council;

RESOVLED:

That Council notes the final recommendations of the LGBCE review and commencement of an internal polling district and polling station review.

Report attached.

It was moved by Councillor O’Brien and seconded by Councillor R Bernstein, and Council

RESOLVED:

1.   Adopt the revised sections of the constitution as highlighted in the sections appended.

·         Reduction in the number of Articles (Appendix A)

·         Updates to the Council Procedure Rules (Appendix B)

·         Updates to the Committee Procedure Rules (Appendix C)

·         Amendments to the Cabinet Portfolios and Committee Membership – Details at Appendix D

·         Details of the updated Committee membership are attached at Appendix E

2. Readopt the remainder of the constitution

3. Note the annual review of the constitution and review scheduleas set out in    Appendix F

4. Note the terms of reference as set out in Appendix G

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)

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:

(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.

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

The following questions had been received in accordance with Council Procedure Rules:

Due to the lack of time to answer questions nine to 18 inclusive, 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.

(i) Stop the Council Tax Squeeze

A motion had been received and set out in the Summons 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 Chancellor and Conservative Government have openly admitted that this winter will be tough for many as we see soaring energy prices, rising costs in shops and cuts in Universal Credit. With the Bank of England warning a possible rise of inflation as high as 5%, many people across Bury are facing a real cost of living crisis – one that has been exacerbated by last month’s Budget.

Despite a 10% hike in national insurance on workers and businesses, local councils across the country are facing no other but to also raise council tax next year in order to maintain frontline services - in fact, the Government’s spending figures for local government rely on councils doing so, it is there in black and white in the Budget.

The council notes:

• That direct funding to local government has been cut year on year by the Conservatives with a cut to Bury Council of over £100 million so far since 2010.
• That the Conservative Government’s latest Budget expects us to raise Council Tax by 3% in order to increase our spending power.
• Even with this hike in Council Tax, Bury Council will still be forced to make around £18m in cuts by the financial year 2023/24.

This council resolves to:

1. Call on the Government to stop the squeeze and fund Bury Council directly to avoid increases in council tax.
2. Call on the Government to reverse tax cuts on banks and consider a windfall levy on individuals and enterprise whose wealth grew exponentially in the pandemic.
3. Write to Bury’s Conservative MPs asking them to co-sign a letter demanding true levelling up for Bury, by restoring our direct funding grant so that Council Tax payers don’t have to bear an even heavier burden of funding vital local services, which should be funded by Government.

 (ii)  Supporting our wonderful high streets over the festive period

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

The Council recognises:

Bury Council notes the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has had on residents and businesses across the borough over the last two years. The Borough owes a debt of gratitude to our key workers, residents, businesses and organisations for all that they have done through the pandemic.

As the festive period approaches the Council must do all it can to support our fantastic independent businesses across the borough and our high streets

The Council notes:

The Government  ...  view the full agenda text for item C. 40

(i) Stop the Council Tax Squeeze

A motion had been received and set out in the Summons 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 Chancellor and Conservative Government have openly admitted that this winter will be tough for many as we see soaring energy prices, rising costs in shops and cuts in Universal Credit. With the Bank of England warning a possible rise of inflation as high as 5%, many people across Bury are facing a real cost of living crisis – one that has been exacerbated by last month’s Budget.

Despite a 10% hike in national insurance on workers and businesses, local councils across the country are facing no other but to also raise council tax next year in order to maintain frontline services - in fact, the Government’s spending figures for local government rely on councils doing so, it is there in black and white in the Budget.

The council notes:

• That direct funding to local government has been cut year on year by the Conservatives with a cut to Bury Council of over £100 million so far since 2010.
• That the Conservative Government’s latest Budget expects us to raise Council Tax by 3% in order to increase our spending power.
• Even with this hike in Council Tax, Bury Council will still be forced to make around £18m in cuts by the financial year 2023/24.

This council resolves to:

1. Call on the Government to stop the squeeze and fund Bury Council directly to avoid increases in council tax.
2. Call on the Government to reverse tax cuts on banks and consider a windfall levy on individuals and enterprise whose wealth grew exponentially in the pandemic.
3. Write to Bury’s Conservative MPs asking them to co-sign a letter demanding true levelling up for Bury, by restoring our direct funding grant so that Council Tax payers don’t have to bear an even heavier burden of funding vital local services, which should be funded by Government.

On being put with

(ii)  Supporting our wonderful high streets over the festive period

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

The Council recognises:

Bury Council notes the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has had on residents and businesses across the borough over the last two years. The Borough owes a debt of gratitude to our key workers, residents, businesses and organisations for all that they have done through the pandemic.

As the festive period approaches the Council must do all it can to support our fantastic independent businesses across the borough and our high streets

The  ...  view the full minutes text for item C. 40

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.