Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor Debra Green

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.

Attached for approval,  minutes of the meetings held on:

21 January 2026

26 January 2026

The minutes of the two meetings held on 21 January 2026 and 26 January 2026 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:

(A)          Meeting of Cabinet 15 January 2026 - Youth Justice Business Plan

It was moved by Councillor L Smith and seconded by Councillor Southworth, with all members voting for and the Mayor abstaining that, Council approves

Council to approved the plan submitted

(B)         Meeting of Employment Panel 3 February 2026 - Pay Policy

It was moved by Councillor Gold and seconded by Councillor Rizvi, with 47 members voting for, one member voting  against, and the Mayor abstaining that, Council approves

1.    Commend the proposed Pay Policy Statement for 2026-27 for approval by full Council.

2.    Agree the Council’s proposed pay structure for 2026-27 as set out within the statement and inclusive of revised non-consolidated pay supplements to retain compliance with the Real Living Wage rate of pay. Classification Open Item No. 2

3.    Also, to agree ongoing uplifts to retain compliance with the Real Living Wage if required.

(C)         Meeting of Employment Panel 3 February 2026 - Chief Officer Recruitment

It was moved by Councillor Gold and seconded by Councillor Rizvi, with all members voting for and the Mayor abstaining that, Council approves

Council approve that a Market Supplement of £5k (total maximum remuneration of £101,251) be applied to the post of Assistant Director - People and Inclusion

(D)         Meeting of Cabinet 11 February 2026 - Annual HRA Budget 2026/27 & Rent Setting

It was moved by Councillor Thorpe and seconded by Councillor Cummins, with 46 members voting for; and the Mayor and two members abstaining that, Council approves

·         Approve the 2026/27 budget for the Housing Revenue Account

·         Agree and approve the proposed HRA Capital Investment Plan for 2026/27.

·         Approve the setting of individual social formula rents for 2026/27 based on the current National Social Rent Policy, giving a real rent increase of 4.8% with effect from 1st April 2026 (being September 2025 CPI (Consumer Price Index) 3.8% plus 1%).

·         Approve the setting of individual actual affordable rents for 2026/27 based on the current National Social Rent Policy, giving a real rent increase of 4.8% with effect from 1st April 2026.

·         Approve shared ownership rents to be increased by RPI (as at February 2026) plus 0.5% in line with provisions set out within shared ownership agreements with effect from 1 st April 2026.

·         Approve an increase in Garage rents of 4.8% with effect from 1st April 2026.

·         Approve an increase in Sheltered Management and Support Charges of 4.8% from 1 st April 2026.

·         Approve an increase in Service and Amenity Charges of 4.8% from 1st April 2026. · Approve an increase in Support and Heating charges of 4.8% from 1st Apri l 2026.

·         Approve an increase in Furnished Tenancy charges of 4.8% from 1st April 2026. · Approve continuation of the policy that when a social rent property is re-let to a new or transferring tenant the rent level will be revised to match the formula rent (target rent) for that property.

·         Note in accordance with the Rent Standard, that where an affordable rent property is re-let to a new or transferring tenant  ...  view the full minutes text for item C. 57

Report of the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Children and Young People is attached.

Report from the Cabinet Member for Customer Service, Communications and Corporate Affairs attached  

Reports attached

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

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

Conservative Amendment

Together for Bury Amendment

Report attached

Draft Terms of Reference attached

Minutes of:

Corporate JCC

Teachers JCC

Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Budget Cabinet

There were no questions received on the delegated decisions of Council Committees.

It was moved by Councillor Thorpe and seconded by Councillor O’Brien, with all Councillors voting in favour, and the Mayor abstaining, that:

Council approve the technical correction of the income bands within the scheme to their intended level