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.

Councillors Rafiq, Birchmore and M Smith declared personal interests in the Radcliffe First Notice of Motion as landlords of private properties in the Borough.

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.

Minutes attached.

The minutes of the meeting held on 22 November 2023 were approved and signed by the Mayor.

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 2 questions:

There were no questions raised at the meeting.

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

Meeting of Locality Board 8^th January 2024 – Locality Plan – Terms of Reference 

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

Council approved the revised Locality Board Terms of Reference.

Cabinet 10^th January 2024 – Children and Young People’s Directorate – Senior Management Structure

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

The vacant post of Director of Social Care Practice (Chief Officer Band E, £93,102-£101,596) be redesignated as Director of Social Care & Early Help, evaluated as (Chief Officer Band F, £103,767-£112,636) to reflect the

Report attached.

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

1.    The Council notes the comments received during the consultation period. 

2.    The Council approves the Acting Returning Officers recommendations that:

-          The use of mobile cabins for polling stations continues but is reviewed regularly by the electoral services team

-          Polling districts 1GD and 1GDA are merged together and named 1GD

-          Polling district 1HD is renamed 1HC

-          Polling district IHE is renamed IHD

3.    The Council requests the Electoral Registration Officer makes the necessary amendments as outlined in Appendix A to polling districts for the publication of the revised Electoral Register.

4.     Power to designate polling places in accordance with section 18 and 18B of the representation of the People Act 1983 is delegated to the Chief Executive, in their role as Returning Officer and Electoral Registration Officer in consultation with ward councillors, group leaders.

Report attached.

See above.

Report attached.

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

1.          the scheme continues in its current form for the year 2024/25

2.          the current disregard of all War Widow’s/Widower’s Pension or War Disablement Pension is continued

3.          the performance of the scheme continues to be closely monitored and will be reviewed and amended as appropriate on an annual basis.

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 10 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, with an additional appendix on the area of focus – GMs Trailblazer Project.  Report is attached for information.

(B)         The Leader will make a 5 minute statement on the Trailblazer project

(C)         5 minutes of Verbal Questions on the appendix and Leader’s Statement.

(D)         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 (10minutes).

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) Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO)

A motion had been received in the names of: Councillors Carol Birchmore, Cllr Donald Berry, Cllr Andrea Booth, Cllr Des Duncalfe, Cllr Glyn Marsden, Cllr James Mason, Cllr Mike Smith and Cllr Mary Walsh.

This Council notes :-

Houses in Multiple Occupancy (HMO) have become a significant part of the rental sector and can provide accommodation at a cheaper rate than renting a whole house or flat. This is useful for people who have limited housing choices or looking for short stay accommodation, such as migrant workers or young professionals.

Many landlords offer well maintained homes. However, there are still a number of landlords who rent sub-standard, overcrowded and potentially dangerous accommodation to vulnerable people. Many of these are not considered as ‘Large’ HMO’s and therefore do not require a licence.

The growth of HMO’s also has an impact on the local community Eg waste management, health and safety, social care, access to health services and property availability for first time buyers.

Licensing has largely been successful in helping to drive up standards in order that HMO’s are safer places to live. All properties used as HMO’s, housing five people or more in two or more households, sharing facilities come under legislation and will require a licence. The licence includes minimum room sizes (6.5sqm single person, 10.2sqm for 2 people, 4.6sqm child under 10years old) and requirements for landlords to provide adequate bins and waste storage.

Bury MBC is required to maintain a register of large HMO’s. There are currently 105 such properties: 63 in Bury; 12 in Prestwich; 17 in Radcliffe; 0 in Ramsbottom; 3 in Tottington and 10 in Whitefield. Ten of the properties on the published register are out of their licence period.

This Council therefore resolves :-

• To update the website to state a review of the HMO register is in process and will be published when complete
• To inspect as appropriate applications to ensure a good standard of safety and maintenance and carry out appropriate enforcement of those that do not meet the standard.
• To explore the possibility of expanding the Article 4 Directive (remove permitted development rights), to other areas of the Borough, if and when such areas are identified.
• To explore Council Tax rules available to us and where possible ensure that landlords are paying appropriate tax for their business.
• To explore the potential of additional funding to be made available to the Licensing and Enforcement teams during the budget setting process.

(ii)  Household Support Fund

A MOTION HAS BEEN RECEIVED IN THE NAMES OF COUNCILLORS: A ARIF,  BAYLEY, BOLES, BORODA, CUMMINS, FAROOQ, FITZGERALD, FRITH, GOLD, GREEN, GRIMSHAW, HAROON, HAYES, IBRAHIM, MCGILL, MORRIS, MOSS, O'BRIEN, PILKINGTON, A QUINN, D QUINN, RAFIQ, RIZVI, RUBINSTEIN, RYDER, L SMITH, STAPLES-JONES, THORPE, WALMSLEY, WHITBY:

In 2010 60,000 people were using food banks in the UK, in 2023 2.9 million people had to use foodbanks. Over 6900 children qualify for free school meals in the Bury borough alone. Many residents are struggling  ...  view the full agenda text for item C. 56

A motion had been received in the names of: Councillors Carol Birchmore, Cllr Donald Berry, Cllr Andrea Booth, Cllr Des Duncalfe, Cllr Glyn Marsden, Cllr James Mason, Cllr Mike Smith and Cllr Mary Walsh.

This Council notes :-

Houses in Multiple Occupancy (HMO) have become a significant part of the rental sector and can provide accommodation at a cheaper rate than renting a whole house or flat. This is useful for people who have limited housing choices or looking for short stay accommodation, such as migrant workers or young professionals.

Many landlords offer well maintained homes. However, there are still a number of landlords who rent sub-standard, overcrowded and potentially dangerous accommodation to vulnerable people. Many of these are not considered as ‘Large’ HMO’s and therefore do not require a licence.

The growth of HMO’s also has an impact on the local community Eg waste management, health and safety, social care, access to health services and property availability for first time buyers.

Licensing has largely been successful in helping to drive up standards in order that HMO’s are safer places to live. All properties used as HMO’s, housing five people or more in two or more households, sharing facilities come under legislation and will require a licence. The licence includes minimum room sizes (6.5sqm single person, 10.2sqm for 2 people, 4.6sqm child under 10years old) and requirements for landlords to provide adequate bins and waste storage.

Bury MBC is required to maintain a register of large HMO’s. There are currently 105 such properties: 63 in Bury; 12 in Prestwich; 17 in Radcliffe; 0 in Ramsbottom; 3 in Tottington and 10 in Whitefield. Ten of the properties on the published register are out of their licence period.

This Council therefore resolves :-

·                     To update the website to state a review of the HMO register is in process and will be published when complete

·                     To inspect as appropriate applications to ensure a good standard of safety and maintenance and carry out appropriate enforcement of those that do not meet the standard.

·                     To explore the possibility of expanding the Article 4 Directive (remove permitted development rights), to other areas of the Borough, if and when such areas are identified.

·                     To explore Council Tax rules available to us and where possible ensure that landlords are paying appropriate tax for their business.

·                     To explore the potential of additional funding to be made available to the Licensing and Enforcement teams during the budget setting process

On being put with 44 Members voting for, 0 Members voting against and the Mayor Abstaining, the Mayor declared the motion carried.

Council considered a notice of motion received from Councillors: A Arif, Bayley, Boles, Boroda, Cummins, Farooq, Fitzgerald, Frith, Gold, Green, Grimshaw, Haroon, Hayes, Ibrahim, McGill, Morris, Moss, O'Brien, Pilkington, Quinn Alan, Quinn Deborah, Rafiq, Rizvi, Rubinstein, Ryder, Smith Lucy Staples-Jones Gareth, Thorpe, Walmsley, Whitby.

In 2010 60,000 people were using food banks in the UK, in 2023 2.9 million people had to use foodbanks. Over 13500 children  ...  view the full minutes text for item C. 56

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

There have been no scrutiny reviews reports or items called in since the last Council meeting. 

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