Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies are noted above.

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.

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 as Bury’s first citizen updated Members of the Council on work undertaken since the last meeting.

Minutes attached.

The minutes of the meeting held on 12^th November 2025 were approved as a correct record 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 questions:

Questions without notice:

Report attached.

It was moved by Councillor Gold and seconded by Councillor Rizvi and on being put, with 46 Members voting for, the Mayor abstaining; that, Council, approves:

To approve:

1.    A revised Code of Conduct, which is part of the Council’s Constitution

2.    A refreshed Facilities Time Agreement, which forms Appendix K of Local Conditions of Service

3.    A revised Capability Procedure

4.    An updated Grievance Procedure

5.    Revisions to appeals and hearing procedures

6.    An updated Social Media Policy

7.    An updated Chief Officer Job Evaluation Scheme and Guidance document

(ii) STANDARDS COMMITTEE – PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

It was moved by Councillor O’Brien and seconded by Councillor L Smith and on being put, with 46 Members voting for, and the Mayor abstaining; that, Council, approves:

1.    That finalised guidance on public participation is approved by Council

It was moved by Councillor O’Brien and seconded by Councillor L Smith and on being put, with 40 Members voting for, 6 Members voting against, and the Mayor abstaining; that, Council, approves:

That the constitution be amended to state:

1.    The ruling group and the main opposition group for Bury Council would each be guaranteed one motion per council meeting.

2.    The remaining groups would alternate for the third motion.

3.    The constitution is amended to limit the number of written questions with the order of questions to be politically proportionate and limited to ruling group 6, opposition group 5 and all other groups 4.

4.    The suggested constitutional changes regarding motions and questions be adopted from March 2026 full Council. 

Report of the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Transformation is attached.

It was moved by Councillor Thorpe and seconded by Councillor O’Brien and on being put, with 46 Members voting for, the Mayor abstaining; that, Council, approves:

To approve:

1.    That Full Council approve the adoption and implementation of the new Council Tax Support Scheme from 1st April 2026

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. (15 minutes)

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 14 to 21 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

The Leader received verbal questions from the following:

(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:

Due to the lack of time to answer questions 6 to 12 inclusive, the Mayor gave an undertaking that copies of those questions and responses will be circulated to all Councillors. The Mayor also gave an undertaking to make these available on the Council Web Site.

The following Notices of Motion have been received: -

(i)             Reintroduction of live streaming for committee meetings

In the names of Councillors Carol Birchmore, Cllr Donald Berry, Cllr Andrea Booth, Cllr Des Duncalfe, Cllr Glyn Marsden, Cllr Ken Simpson, Cllr Mike Smith and Cllr Mary Walsh.

Voter turnout in the last election varied significantly by ward from 50% in North Manor down to 27% in Radcliffe East. There were 4 wards with under 30% turnout.

Does it matter if there is a low turnout?

As you are aware local governments in England play an important role, especially Unitary Authorities. They deliver local services from finance to education, transport, road maintenance, social housing, waste management, and much more. However, some people know that their local Council collects the bins and maintain roads but they think that councils do little else for them.

What impacts on a low turnout?

Voter apathy i.e.  a lack of interest in the political processes, including elections and political efficacy relating to an individual’s belief regarding their ability to impact on an election’s result can impact on turnout.

It feels like many residents have lost trust in politicians and the political system both at a local and national level. Recent opinion polls report widespread low satisfaction levels with regards to the way the country and local councils are being run. It is our job as councillors to look at ways we can improve trust.

Lack of trust in the system

Claims made by people, particularly on social media, of the Council acting on behalf of developers rather than residents and other disinformation can further damage residents’ perceived perception of the democratic system. Such claims are particularly prevalent in relation to planning decisions, awarding of contracts and purchasing decisions. It is therefore important that residents can view democracy in action and openly observe the way decisions are made.

Residents can attend council and committee meetings however, many are not aware that is the case. On some occasions, the number of people admitted to the public gallery has been limited, which has further eroded confidence in a democratic and open system.

For some residents caring responsibilities, disabilities or poor health means that they are unable to attend meetings in person.

Up until the end of 2023 Bury Council streamed the following meetings:

•       Full Council

•       Cabinet

•       Overview and Scrutiny

•       Planning

•       Children and Young People Scrutiny

•       Health Scrutiny

However, since 2024 only Full Council and Cabinet meetings can be viewed online. For some residents this feels like there is a lack of transparency, and can further perpetuate disinformation rumors.

The reason given for reducing the number of meetings was down to cost relating to the suitability of the council chamber.

It is important to consider whether this is standard practice in councils, particularly in relation to Greater Manchester. An internet search provides the following information about each of the GM councils: Stockport, Manchester, Trafford and Bolton stream all meetings and Oldham streams Full Council, Cabinet  ...  view the full agenda text for item C. 47

(i)             Reintroduction of live streaming for committee meetings

Council considered a motion in the names of Councillors Carol Birchmore, Cllr Donald Berry, Cllr Andrea Booth, Cllr Des Duncalfe, Cllr Glyn Marsden, Cllr Ken Simpson, Cllr Mike Smith and Cllr Mary Walsh.

The motion was moved by Councillor Birchmore and seconded by Councillor Duncalfe and on being put; with 13 members voting for; 32 member voting against and the Mayor abstaining, the Mayor declared the motion lost.

(ii)           Children receiving the best possible start in life

Council considered a motion in the names of A Arif, Bayley, Boles, Cummins, Farooq, Fitzgerald, Frith, Gold, Green, Grimshaw, Haroon, Hayes, Hook, Ibrahim, McGill, Morris, Moss, O'Brien, Pilkington, Quinn Alan, Quinn Deborah, Rafiq, Rahimov, Rizvi, Rubinstein, Ryder, Smith Lucy, Southworth, Staples-Jones Gareth, Tariq, Thorpe, Walmsley.

The motion was moved by Councillor Walmsley and seconded by Councillor Southworth and on being put; with 44 members voting for; 1 member voting against and the Mayor abstaining, the Mayor declared the motion carried.

(iii)         Improving Road and Pavement Conditions Across Bury

Council considered a motion in the names of Councillor Arif, Councillor Brown, Councillor Gartside, Councillor Harris, Councillor Hussain.

The motion was moved by Councillor Brown and seconded by Councillor Harris.

Members considered an amendment moved by Councillor Morris and Seconded by Councillor Gold.

Members moved to vote on the amendment and on being put; with 33 members voting for; 6 members voting against and 3 including the Mayor abstaining, the Mayor declared the amendment carried.

Members moved to a vote on the substantive motion and on being put; with 33 members voting for; 6 members voting against and 3 including the Mayor abstaining, the Mayor declared the amended motion carried.

(iv)         Culvert Maintenance and Flood Resilience

Council considered an altered motion in the name of Councillors Bernstein, Lancaster, McBriar and Vernon.

On being put with 45 Members voting for and the Mayor Abstaining, the Mayor declared the altered motion carried.

Members voted on the substantive motion:

On being put: with 45 voting for and the Mayor abstaining, the altered motion was carried.

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

Attached for information only.

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.