Agenda and draft minutes

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

There were no declarations of interest made at the meeting.

Minutes of the meeting held on 13^th September are attached.

The minutes of the meeting held on 13^th September 2023 were approved 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 reported to those present, duties undertaken as Bury’s first citizen since the last Council meeting

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 the following 10 questions:

The Mayor stated as the permitted time allowed for public questions had now passed no further questions would be permitted.

To receive and consider the recommendations to the Council contained in the following minutes of:

Meeting of Cabinet 5^th October 2023 – Youth Justice Plan

It was moved by Councillor L Smith and seconded by Councillor Thorpe and it was agreed

Council adopts the Youth Justice Plan.

Licensing and Safety Committee 19^th October 2023 – Proposed Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Policy Revisions following public consultation.

It was moved by Councillor McGill and seconded by Councillor Morris and it was agreed

Following the decision of the Licensing and Safety Committee on the 19 October 2023, Full Council adopt the proposals and confirm the delegated authority to amend the implementation date of any of these standards to the Head of Public Protection in conjunction with the Chair of Licensing & Safety Committee. Any changes to the amendment dates would be reported to the Licensing & Safety Committee.

Audit Committee 12^th October 2023 – Suite of revised Policies as detailed in the Summons

It was moved by Councillor Whitby and seconded by Councillor Rafiq and it was agreed

The updated suite of policies, as presented to Audit Committee be approved and included in the Council’s Constitution. 

Democratic Arrangements Forum 2^nd November 2023 – Changes to the Constitution

It was moved by Councillor O’Brien and seconded by Councillor Bernstein and it was agreed

Council approves the following amendments to the Council Procedure rules:

Invite CA appointed representatives on a rotational basis to present an update on their area of responsibility.  Allowing 5 minutes to present and 5 minutes for verbal questions.

10 minutes for all other questions to the CA.

The GM Mayor will attend once a year a meeting of Full Council.

Youth Cabinet to submit, once a year, a Notice of Motion.  This notice of motion will be the first item on the agenda following public question time.

Amendments to the timings for speakers:

State of the Borough – Opposition group Leaders have a right of reply 5 minutes

Leaders statement - Opposition Group Leaders 2 minutes right of reply and a question.

Cabinet 7^th November 2023 - Mid-Year Treasury Management Report

It was moved by Councillor Gold and seconded by Councillor O’Brien and it was agreed

Council approves the mid-year treasury management report.

Employment Panel 16^th November and 20^th November 2023 – Establishment of a post and appointment of the Council’s Section 151 Officer

It was moved by Councillor Rafiq and seconded by Councillor Gold and it was agreed

Council is recommended:

1.    Agree the termination of the Council’s joint financial leadership arrangements with NHS Greater Manchester and the disestablishment of the post of Joint Executive Director of Finance, Chief Officer Band H (£127,377 - £139,067).

2.    Agree the establishment of a new role of Executive Director (Finance) evaluated at Chief Officer Band H (£127,377 - £139,067) and that this post be designated as the Council’s statutory Section 151 Officer

3.    Agree the recommendation from Employment Panel that Paul McKevitt is appointed to the role of Interim Executive Director (Finance), Section 151 Officer  withimmediate effect for an initial period  ...  view the full minutes text for item C. 38

Report attached.  (Please note tracked changes have been deliberately included).

It was moved by Councillor Gold and seconded by Councillor Whitby and it was agreed, that the updated Financial Regulations be approved an included in the Constitution.

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. (20 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:                                

Due to the lack of time to answer questions 11 to 19 inclusive, the Leader gave an undertaking that copies of those questions and responses will be circulated to all Councillors. The Leader also gave an undertaking to make these available on the Council Web Site. 

              b)      Verbal Questions

(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:

(i)             COMMUNITY COHESION IN BURY

A MOTION HAS BEEN RECEIVED IN THE NAMES OF COUNCILLORS, ARIF, BERNSTEIN, BROWN, GARTSIDE, HARRIS, HUSSAIN, DEAN, LANCASTER, McBRIAR, RYDEHEARD, VERNON

THIS COUNCIL NOTES THAT:

Bury is home to wide diverse multifaith and multicultural communities and as a Borough we are proud of our record of social cohesion.

As Councillors, we strive to provide leadership to all our communities. We believe in working together to ensure that all members of all communities feel secure within Bury and can go about their daily lives safely and without fear of intimidation.

Significant world events have taken place over the past few weeks that have had a major impact on communities in Bury.

THIS COUNCIL ACKNOWLEDGES THAT;

We want to work to reaffirm our commitment to ensuring the safety and support of all parts of the Bury community. As community leaders, we acknowledge the importance of creating an environment where everyone feels safe and supported in their daily lives.

We believe organisations that receive public funding should remain politically neutral.

The events in Israel and Gaza are a great tragedy and have caused significant anxiety in all communities. We recognise there is a great deal of suffering on both sides.

As Local Councillors, we cannot affect the international situation but we need to be mindful of the impact our actions have on community relations here in Bury.

THIS COUNCIL RESOLVES:

To support the UK Government position on a Two State solution.

To support all sovereign nations right to defend itself against all unprovoked attacks

Write to both the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition supporting their calls for  humanitarian pauses in the ongoing conflict as part of the International humanitarian effort to support innocent Palestinians.

To explore with the Multi- Faith Forum what action can be taken collectively by the communities of Bury to ensure we can all stand together during challenging times such as the present.

Form a cross-party group of councillors to examine how the Council can co-ordinate local efforts to provide aid and any other humanitarian support to the region. To liaise with charities, NGO’s and others who are active in the region to assess what actions if any this Council can take to support their work.

To agree organisations who are not politically neutral should not be publicly funded.

(ii)            Addressing the impact of branded, non-standard trimmings and fabric pattern specific items on the cost of secondary school uniforms

Proposed by: Cllr Carol Birchmore, Cllr Donald Berry, Cllr Andrea Booth, Cllr Des Duncalfe, Cllr Glyn Marsden, Cllr James Mason, Cllr Mike Smith and Cllr Mary Walsh

As the cost-of-living crisis bites further parents are now facing the additional costs of ensuring that their children are clothed in the correct uniform. This is an additional drain on resources that parents struggling to put food on the table cannot afford.

In May 2023 the Children’s Society estimated that parents spend around £422 per year on their child’s school uniform. A look at websites of  ...  view the full agenda text for item C. 42

Council considered a motion received in the names of COUNCILLORS ARIF, BERNSTEIN, BROWN, DEAN, GARTSIDE, HARRIS, HUSSAIN, LANCASTER, McBRIAR, RYDEHEARD, VERNON

THIS COUNCIL NOTES THAT:

Bury is home to wide diverse multifaith and multicultural communities and as a Borough we are proud of our record of social cohesion.

As Councillors, we strive to provide leadership to all our communities. We believe in working together to ensure that all members of all communities feel secure within Bury and can go about their daily lives safely and without fear of intimidation.

Significant world events have taken place over the past few weeks that have had a major impact on communities in Bury.

THIS COUNCIL ACKNOWLEDGES THAT;

We want to work to reaffirm our commitment to ensuring the safety and support of all parts of the Bury community. As community leaders, we acknowledge the importance of creating an environment where everyone feels safe and supported in their daily lives.

We believe organisations that receive public funding should remain politically neutral.

The events in Israel and Gaza are a great tragedy and have caused significant anxiety in all communities. We recognise there is a great deal of suffering on both sides.

As Local Councillors, we cannot affect the international situation but we need to be mindful of the impact our actions have on community relations here in Bury.

THIS COUNCIL RESOLVES:

To support the UK Government position on a Two State solution.

To support all sovereign nations right to defend itself against all unprovoked attacks

Write to both the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition supporting their calls for  humanitarian pauses in the ongoing conflict as part of the International humanitarian effort to support innocent Palestinians.

To explore with the Multi- Faith Forum what action can be taken collectively by the communities of Bury to ensure we can all stand together during challenging times such as the present.

Form a cross-party group of councillors to examine how the Council can co-ordinate local efforts to provide aid and any other humanitarian support to the region. To liaise with charities, NGO’s and others who are active in the region to assess what actions if any this Council can take to support their work.

To agree organisations who are not politically neutral should not be publicly funded.

On being put with 8 Members voting for, 36 Members voting against and the Mayor Abstaining, the Mayor declared the motion lost.

Proposed by: Cllr Carol Birchmore, Cllr Donald Berry, Cllr Andrea Booth, Cllr Des Duncalfe, Cllr Glyn Marsden, Cllr James Mason, Cllr Mike Smith and Cllr Mary Walsh

Addressing the impact of branded, non-standard trimmings and fabric pattern specific items on the cost of secondary school uniforms

As the cost-of-living crisis bites further parents are now facing the additional costs of ensuring that their children are clothed in the correct uniform. This is an additional drain on resources that parents struggling to put food on the table cannot afford.

In May 2023 the Children’s Society estimated that  ...  view the full minutes text for item C. 42

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

There were no scrutiny review reports and specific items "called in" by scrutiny committees

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 on the work of outside bodies or partnerships