Agenda

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

Minutes of the last meeting, held on 10 July 2019, are 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 will be given by the Council’s representative on the work of Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority, Councillor Quinn

(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)                                         Conductors on Trams

This Council Notes:

(a) High levels of fare evasion on the Metrolink network – reported to this Council as an estimate that 1 in 8 journeys are not paid for. 

(b) Anti-social behaviour occurring on the tram network, contributing to some member of the local community feeling unsafe using Metrolink, particularly in the evenings. 

Council recognises that other tram networks in the UK, such as those in Nottingham and in Wolverhampton-Birmingham, operate with on-board conductors, and that the merits of having these staff include:

(a) Increased revenue collection as conductors are able to check tickets and passes, and collect outstanding fares from passengers on-board the tram

(b) Improved passenger safety as the conductor represents a visible on-board presence to deter criminal and anti-social behaviour and can ensure that passengers are able to board or alight safely

(c) Better customer service as the conductor can respond in person to passenger queries and to requests for assistance, such as aiding passengers with disabilities or push-chairs

Council notes that these are the same reasons that the RMT trades union cites in seeking the retention of guards on trains in its ongoing dispute with Northern Rail. 

Given the reasons outlined above, and in light of the estimate that £9 million in revenue is lost across the Metrolink network in fare evasion, Council believes that there is merit in introducing conductors on the Bury – Manchester line for an evaluation to be conducted after a trial period of 12 months of its impact, with a view to making conductors permanent and across the network should the results prove favourable.

Council therefore resolves:

To ask the Chief Executive to write to the Chief Executives of Transport for Greater Manchester and Metrolink outlining its position and requesting the introduction of conductors on the Bury Manchester line as a pilot.

In the names of: Councillors M Powell, T Pickstone, C Tegolo and S Wright

(ii)                                             Support for Bury FC

This council calls for our two MPs to ask the Commons Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee to revisit their reports from 2011/13/16 regarding football governance, ownership, finance and the lack of grassroots football facilities in England.

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, R Shori, A Simpson, L Smith, S Smith, Sarah Southworth, Susan Southworth, T Tariq, K Thomas, S Walmsley, C Walsh and M Whitby.

(iii)                                            Support for Taxi Drivers

     THIS COUNCIL acknowledges:

The vital contribution that Bury’s taxi drivers make to providing safe and accessible transport, including for many of the Borough’s elderly, disabled and younger residents.

That as the Licensing Authority Bury MBC, must do all it can to support the Borough’s hard working taxi drivers and play it’s part in ensuring the trade provides a sustainable income  ...  view the full agenda text for item 8.

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

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 (2019/20) published  since the last ordinary meeting of the Council, providing four clear working days’ notices has been given of the question.