Agenda

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

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the Meetings of the Council held on 5 July and 20 July 2017 (Minutes attached)

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.

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.

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.

Verbal questions on the work of the Cabinet since the last Council meeting will be allowed subject to a limit of one question per Councillor.

(A)        A report from the Council’s representative on the work of GM Fire Authority, Councillor Grimshaw

(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

The following Notices of Motion have been received:-

(i)                 Tackling Dangerous Potholes in our Towns and Villages

This Council notes:

1.  The tragic death of Ramsbottom resident, Mr Roger Hamer who lost his life last year when his bicycle hit a pothole on Bury New Road in Ramsbottom.

2. The recent inquest verdict into the death of Mr Hamer. The jury concluded that Mr Hamer probably hit a large pothole which caused him to come off his bike in March 2016 and caused a fatal brain injury.

3. The recent report in the Bury Times that Bury has more vehicles damaged by potholes than any other Borough in Greater Manchester. A total of 292 claims for damage to vehicles being made during the period 2015/16.

4. The continued concern of Bury residents over the unsatisfactory state of highways within the Borough and the prevalence of dangerous potholes in our towns and villages.

This Council is committed to:

- Doing everything possible to improve the Council's highway inspection and maintenance programme to ensure that it is fit for purpose and has the confidence of local residents.

- Ensure that reports of potholes from residents are actioned at the earliest opportunity to mitigate the danger they pose to pedestrians, cyclists and motorists.

This Council therefore resolves to:

- Instruct the Cabinet Member for Environment to carry out a full review of the Council's highway inspection and maintenance programme to ensure it is delivering an efficient service in tackling the blight of potholes and minimising the risks posed to road users and pedestrians.

- Request the Cabinet Member for Environment complete the aforementioned review prior to the next Full Meeting of Council on the 29th November and report it's findings to Members at the said meeting.

- Request the Cabinet Member for Environment consider the following ways of improving residents' satisfaction with road maintenance within the Borough as part of the review:

 a. Better communication of achievements in reducing accidents, pothole filling and maintaining roads, e.g through social media, posters and local newspaper stories.

 b. Greater clarity on decision-making by Highway Officers in terms of residents having a better understanding of the timescale for repairs.

 c. Increased use of technology so that Inspectors can spend more time assessing and commissioning repairs together with checking the quality of work, and less time dealing with correspondence or complaints.

 d. Involving and encouraging both residents and Councillors to report potholes and provide feedback on the quality of work and length of time it has taken for repairs to be completed. To ensure local satisfaction through feedback surveys, local forums and volunteer "street champions”.

In the names of Councillors I Bevan, R Caserta, J Daly, I Gartside, D Gunther, M Hankey, J Harris, R Hodkinson, K Hussain, G Keeley, O Kersh, S Nuttall,  I Schofield, D Silbiger,  R Walker, and Y Wright

          (ii) Count Them In Campaign. 

This Council once more wishes to place on record its admiration for the courage, service and sacrifice of members of  ...  view the full agenda text for item 8.

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).

Questions on the delegated decisions made by the Regulatory Committees and Scrutiny Committees contained in the Digest of Decision 2 (2017/18) published  since the last ordinary meeting of the Council, providing four clear working days’ notices has been given of the question.