Agenda and minutes

The election of Chair is the first item of business to be transacted.  Members are asked to adjourn this item to enable it to be considered under Part 2 of the Proceedings.                

Resolved:

That the election of Chair be adjourned to Part 2 of the Proceedings.

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 Connolly declared a personal interest in any item which related to staffing as his partner is an employee of Bury Council. 

2.   Councillor Jones declared a personal interest in any items related to staffing as his wife is an employee within a school within the Borough.

3.   Councillor Mallon declared a personal interest in any item which related to staffing as his wife is an employee within a high school within the Borough.

4.  Councillor Bevan declared a personal interest in any items related to staffing as his wife is employed at Summerseat Methodist Primary School.

To receive as read and approve as a correct record the Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 1 April 2015.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 1 April 2015 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Mayor.

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

During this item, the Mayor will present certificates to winners of the “Made in Bury:Council Community Awards.

The Mayor referred to the recent passing of former Councillor June Novick and members observed a brief silence in her memory.

The Mayor presented certificates to winners of the “Made in Bury: Council Community Awards” as follows:-

·         Outstanding Community Contribution Award – Early Break

·         Outstanding contribution to a Township Award – Dr Falmai Binns

·         Volunteer of the Year Award – Ann Bebbington

·         Good Neighbour Award – Nathan Hickey

The Mayor and Councillors expressed their congratulations to the recipients and their thanks and appreciation to volunteers across Bury who make it a good place to live, work and visit.

The Chief Executive reported the election of Councillors on 22 May 2015 as follows:-

A report is attached – a final version containing Group Appointments will be circulated at the meeting.

The Leader moved, and Councillor Shori seconded, that the report on the annual appointments for the 2015/16 Municipal Year be approved, and it was:

Resolved:

1.           That the Strong Leader arrangements adopted by the Council in 2011/12, with a Cabinet of between two and nine Members be confirmed for 2015/2016

2.      That the appointment of the Political Groups’ Leaders and Deputy Leaders as set out in Appendix A to this report be received. 

3.      That the appointment of the Cabinet, Deputy Cabinet Members and Shadow Cabinet for the 2015/2016 Municipal Year, as set out in Appendix B to this report be noted.

4.      That the appointment of the Regulatory Committees, Overview and Scrutiny Committees and other bodies covered by the Political Balance Rules, including the appointment of Chairs, where stated, for the 2015/2016 Municipal Year, as set out in Appendix C to this report, be approved.

5.      That the appointments of the Audit Committee and other bodies not covered by or exempted from the Political Balance Rules, including the appointment of Chairs, where stated, for the 2015/2016 Municipal Year, as set out in Appendix D to the report, be approved.

6.      That the Health and Wellbeing Board be consulted on widening elected member representation on that Body;

7.      That the appointments to the Greater Manchester Joint Authorities for the 2015/2016 Municipal Year as set out in Appendix E to the report, be approved.

8.      That the appointments to the various other internal bodies, including the appointment of Chairs, where stated, for the 2015/2016 Municipal Year, as set out in Appendix F to the report, be approved.

9.      That the appointments to the outside bodies for the 2015/2016 Municipal Year, as set out in Appendix G to the report, be approved.

10.    That the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leaders of the political groups on the Council, be authorised to determine any appointments to bodies which remain to be filled and any changes in appointments or any new appointments to be made during the 2015/2016 Municipal Year.

The Leader of the Council will make a statement.

Questions or comments will be invited from:-

(a) Any Members of the public present at the meeting; 

(b) Members of the Council;

Providing that such questions relate to matters raised by the Leader in his statement.

Councillor Connolly, Leader of the Council, made a statement on the State of the Borough describing the main achievements of the Council during 2014/2015 and outlining challenges facing the Council in 2015/2016 and beyond.  The Mayor invited members of the public and Members of the Council to ask questions or make comments arising from the Leader’s Statement.

Issues were raised as follows:-

Report attached

Councillor Gartside moved, and Councillor James seconded, and it was:

Resolved:

That the Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report for 2014/2015 be received.

A report is attached.

Councillor Lewis moved, and Councillor Gartside seconded, and it was:

Resolved:

That the contents of the Annual Report and progress made by Township Forums over the past year be noted.

(1)     To elect the Mayor for the Municipal Year 2015/2016

(2)     To elect a Deputy Mayor for the Municipal Year 2015/2016

(3)     To resolve that this Council hereby expresses its thanks to Councillor Michelle Wiseman and Miss Danielle Wiseman for the diligent manner in which they have undertaken the duties of Mayor and Mayoress of the Metropolitan Borough of Bury during the Municipal Year now ending and places on record its appreciation of their devotion to and performance of the important duties attaching to their Offices and that Medallions be presented to them as tokens of their service as Mayor and Mayoress.

(4)     To resolve that this Council hereby expresses its thanks to Councillor Sharon Briggs and Mrs Shirley Rabbitt, Miss Natalie Wells and Miss Nicole Wells for the diligent manner in which they have undertaken the duties of Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayoresses of the Metropolitan Borough of Bury during the Municipal Year now ending and places on record its appreciation of their devotion to and performance of the important duties attaching to their Offices.

Councillor Gartside moved that Councillor Stella Smith be elected to the office of Mayor of the Metropolitan Borough of Bury for the Municipal Year 2015/2016, with Mr John Smith as her Consort.

Councillor Holt seconded the nomination.

The Worshipful the Mayor, after calling for and not receiving any other nominations, declared the nomination carried and it was:-

Resolved:

That Councillor Stella Smith be duly elected Mayor of the Metropolitan Borough of Bury for the Municipal Year 2015/2016, with Mr John Smith as her Consort.

The newly-elected Mayor then occupied the Chair, made and signed the Declaration required by the Local Government Act 1972 and thanked the Council for the honour conferred on her in electing her Mayor of the Metropolitan Borough of Bury.

It was moved by Councillor Shori, seconded by Councillor Pickstone and it was:   

Resolved:

That Councillor Michelle Wiseman be appointed Deputy Mayor for the Municipal Year 2015/2016 and that this Council hereby expresses its thanks to Councillor Wiseman and Miss Danielle Wiseman for the diligent manner in which they have undertaken the duties of Mayor and Mayoress of the Metropolitan Borough of Bury during the Municipal Year now ending and places on record its appreciation of their devotion and performance of the important duties attaching to their offices and that medallions be presented to them as tokens of appreciation of their services as Mayor and Mayoress.

It was moved by Councillor J Walker, seconded by Councillor Preston and it was:-

Resolved:

That this Council hereby expresses its thanks to Councillor Sharon Briggs and Mrs S Rabbitt, Miss Natalie Wells and Miss Nicole Wells, for the diligent manner in which they have undertaken the duties of Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayoresses of the Metropolitan Borough of Bury during the Municipal Year now ending and places on record its appreciation of their devotion and performance of the important duties attaching to their offices.