Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies were received from Councillors Lancaster, Ryder and Walmsley

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 two meetings held on 20 May 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:

There are no recommendations of Cabinet or Council Committees

The Monitoring Officer advised members that the Democratic Arrangements Forum met to discuss the matter of opposition parties.  Leaders agreed that Radcliffe First would remain the official Opposition Party and that Reform would have a member attend opposition briefings.  The matter of motions will be discussed at a future Democratic Arrangements Forum 

Councillor O’Brien moved the motion, Councillor Birchmore seconded the motion and Councillor Rydeheard confirmed his agreement to the motion.

There were no further recommendations of Cabinet or Council Committees

A report from the Monitoring Officer, Jacqui Dennis is attached.

It was moved by Councillor O’Brien, and seconded by Councillor Birchmore and Council agreed to:

Note the updated Members appointments and accept the proposed amendments to Bury Council’s Constitution as set out in the report:

A report from the Monitoring Officer, Jacqui Dennis is attached.

It was moved by Councillor O’Brien, and seconded by Councillor L Smith and Council agreed to:

Note the appointments and amendments to appointments made since the Annual Meeting of Council. 

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 questions (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:   

The remaining questions submitted by elected members will receive written responses. 

(b)  Verbal questions

The Leader received verbal questions from the following Councillors:

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 following questions had been received in accordance with Council Procedure rules

(i)         Zero Tolerance on Dodgy Shops

Council considered a motion in the names of A Arif, N Bayley, C Boles, A Chaudhry, U Farooq, E FitzGerald, R Gold, D Green, S Haroon, M Hayes, J Hook, C Hunt, B Ibrahim, G McGill, C Morris, E O’Brien, T Pilkington, A Quinn, D Quinn, T Rafiq, M Rahimov, I Rizvi, M Rubinstein, L Ryder, L Smith, J A Southworth, J Southworth, G Staples-Jones, T Tariq, S Thorpe, S Walmsley 

The motion was moved by Councillor Green and seconded by Councillor Rubinstein and on being put to members with 47 members voting for; the Mayor abstaining, the Mayor declared the motion carried.

(ii)        Endometriosis friendly employer status

Council considered a motion in the names of Councillors Carol Birchmore, Des Duncalfe, Judi Sheppard, Ken Simpson, Mike Smith and Mary Walsh

The motion was moved by Councillor Birchmore and seconded by Councillor Walsh and on being put to members with 47 members voting for; the Mayor abstaining, the Mayor declared the motion carried.

(iii)       Castle Armoury

Council considered a motion in the names of Councillors P Davies, D Hill, G Martin, J Roith, J Rydeheard and S Zaman.

An amended version of this motion was circulated with the council papers that has been agreed with the Leader of Reform. This now forms the substantive motion. 

The motion was moved by Councillor Rydeheard and seconded by Councillor Gold and on being put to members with 47 members voting for; the Mayor abstaining, the Mayor declared the motion carried.

There were no questions on the work of outside bodies or partnerships.

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.