Agenda and minutes

As a mark of respect as this is the first Council meeting following the passing of Her Majesty the Queen the Council will observe a minutes silence. 

Group Leaders will be invited to speak

The Mayor reported that she was privileged to lay flowers and sign the book of condolence as Bury’s first citizen, in memory of her Majesty the Queen.  Members stood to observe a minutes silence.

Group Leaders were invited to speak on behalf of their Group and place on record their sadness at the Queens’ passing.

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

Councillor D Berry declared a personal interest in all matters under consideration as a Member of friends of Bury Folk Keep it Green, a Member of Manchester, Bolton and Bury Canal Society.  As well as a probationary bailiff for the Fishing and Angling Trust.

Councillor Gartside declared an interest in all matters under consideration as a member of Bury Folk Keep it Green.

Councillor Andrea Booth declared a personal interest in all items under consideration as a Member of Bury Folk keep it Green and a Member of Radcliffe litterpickers.

Councillor Carol Birchmore declared a personal interest in all items under consideration declared a personal interest in all matters under consideration as a Member of friends of Bury Folk Keep it Green, a Member of Manchester, Bolton and Bury Canal Society.  As well as the probationary bailiff for the Fishing and Angling Trust and Radcliffe Litter pickers.

Councillor M Smith declared a personal interest as a Member of Bolton and Bury Canal Society. 

The minutes of the meeting held on 20^th July 2022 are attached.

The minutes of the meeting on 20^th July 2022 be approved.

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 3 questions. 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.

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

Meeting of Cabinet 7^th September 2022 Treasury Management Outturn Report.

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

Resolved:

Cabinet is requested to approve, for onward submission to Council on the 21^st of September, the:

·         2021/22 Prudential and Treasury Indicators

·         Treasury Management 2021/22 Outturn Report

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)

(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 15 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.

(a)         The Council received a report on the work of the Combined Authorities.

(b)     The following questions had been received in accordance with Council Procedure Rules:

(i)           Anti-social driving

A motion had been received and set in the Summons in the names of:

Councillors; Arif, Bernstein, Brown, Dean, Gartside, Harris, Lancaster, Hussain, Jones, McBriar, Rydeheard, Vernon

This Council is determined to take further steps to combat the scourge of dangerous and anti-social driving which has been reported over many years and months, and which continues to be a major issue for communities across the borough.

Speeding, reckless and dangerous driving in Bury, Radcliffe, Ramsbottom, Tottington, Prestwich and Whitefield is utterly abhorrent and poses significant and unnecessary risks to both road users and pedestrians alike.

In recent reports in the Bury Times and on social media (from community groups) it is clear the situation is becoming worse.

As a Council we have a duty and responsibility to protect all our residents living in the borough and those people who are visiting or passing through our towns and villages.

This Council resolves to:-

·         Call on the Chief Executive to write to the GMP Bury Division Chief Superintendent to ask that mobile speed camera initiatives are implemented across the borough to catch offenders, crack down on dangerous drivers and to provide reassurance to the communities of the borough.

·         Call on the Chief Executive to write to the GMP Bury Division Chief Superintendent to undertake a borough wide initiative with the objective to reduce the illegal use Off-Road Bikes and e-scooters which are a cause of significant anti-social behaviour.       

·         To ask the Council to hold meetings with residents and community groups in known hotspots of dangerous and anti-social driving to understand their concerns and to listen to their suggestions on how to combat these issues.

·         To ask the Council to explore more options which can be implemented to reduce dangerous driving, whether this be speed humps, permanent traffic cameras or traffic islands.

·         To ask the Council to consider if measures already agreed such as crossing points can be implemented earlier than announced.  

(ii) Work towards improving and safeguarding the Bury MBC stretch of the Manchester, Bolton and Bury Canal

A motion had been received and set in the Summons in the names of:

Councillors;  Birchmore, Berry, Booth, Duncalfe, Marsden, Mason, Cllr Mike Smith and Cllr Mary Walsh

Manchester, Bolton and Bury Canal is a fantastic wildlife corridor through Radcliffe and Bury. It extends as far as the border with Little Lever in the south and runs up to Elton Reservoir and into Redvales and Church ward at the north end. It is well loved by residents and in the lockdown period it served as a much-needed green space for residents. In recent years, the Bury MBC section has been looked after by Little Britain Anglers and Radcliffe Litter Pickers.

For many years there has been talk of restoring the canal but the Canal and Rivers Trust to consider the canal low priority. CRT are obliged to keep the MBB canal safe for public use, however they are under no obligation to make it navigable because it is classed as a  ...  view the full agenda text for item C. 21

(i)           Anti-social driving

A motion had been received and set in the Summons in the names of:

Councillors; Arif, Bernstein, Brown, Dean, Gartside, Harris, Lancaster, Hussain, Jones, McBriar, Rydeheard, Vernon

This Council is determined to take further steps to combat the scourge of dangerous and anti-social driving which has been reported over many years and months, and which continues to be a major issue for communities across the borough.

Speeding, reckless and dangerous driving in Bury, Radcliffe, Ramsbottom, Tottington, Prestwich and Whitefield is utterly abhorrent and poses significant and unnecessary risks to both road users and pedestrians alike.

In recent reports in the Bury Times and on social media (from community groups) it is clear the situation is becoming worse.

As a Council we have a duty and responsibility to protect all our residents living in the borough and those people who are visiting or passing through our towns and villages.

This Council resolves to:-

·         Call on the Chief Executive to write to the GMP Bury Division Chief Superintendent to ask that mobile speed camera initiatives are implemented across the borough to catch offenders, crack down on dangerous drivers and to provide reassurance to the communities of the borough.

·         Call on the Chief Executive to write to the GMP Bury Division Chief Superintendent to undertake a borough wide initiative with the objective to reduce the illegal use Off-Road Bikes and e-scooters which are a cause of significant anti-social behaviour.       

·         To ask the Council to hold meetings with residents and community groups in known hotspots of dangerous and anti-social driving to understand their concerns and to listen to their suggestions on how to combat these issues.

·         To ask the Council to explore more options which can be implemented to reduce dangerous driving, whether this be speed humps, permanent traffic cameras or traffic islands.

·         To ask the Council to consider if measures already agreed such as crossing points can be implemented earlier than announced.  

On being put with 42 Members voting for and 0 members voting against and the Mayor abstaining

The Mayor declared the motion was carried.

Councillor Donnelly was not in the Chamber when the vote was taken.

(ii) Work towards improving and safeguarding the Bury MBC stretch of the Manchester, Bolton and Bury Canal

A motion had been received and set in the Summons in the names of:

Councillors;  Birchmore, Berry, Booth, Duncalfe, Marsden, Mason, Cllr Mike Smith and Cllr Mary Walsh

Manchester, Bolton and Bury Canal is a fantastic wildlife corridor through Radcliffe and Bury. It extends as far as the border with Little Lever in the south and runs up to Elton Reservoir and into Redvales and Church ward at the north end. It is well loved by residents and in the lockdown period it served as a much-needed green space for residents. In recent years, the Bury MBC section has been looked after by Little Britain Anglers and Radcliffe Litter Pickers.

For many years there has been talk of restoring the canal but the Canal and  ...  view the full minutes text for item C. 21

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

For information

There were no scrutiny reports or specific items called in.

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 the outside partnerships.