Agenda and minutes

The Chair made introductions and welcomed all present to the meeting.

Apologies were submitted by Councillor U Farooq and Joanne Betts.

To receive any Declarations of Interest.

No Declarations of Interest were submitted.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the last meeting.

That the Minutes of the last meeting held on the 25^th February 2025 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

It was agreed:

That the minutes be approved.

The Chair informed the meeting that a Democratic Arrangement Forum had agreed that public questions and a youth representative could be incorporated into the Bury Local Bee Network Forum. As a result, the relevant changes would be made to the terms of reference within the Council’s constitution and be approved at the full Council meeting in July ahead of the next Forum in September.

To advise Bury’s Bee Network Forum on the progress of delivering Bury Public Health’s – LETS Get Bury Moving Framework’s ambition around integrating physical activity into everyone’s daily routines, thus local Bee Network infrastructure is pivotal in achieving the Chief Medical Officers activity levels for good health across the life course.

Lee Buggie, Public Health Specialist, Live Well & Healthy Place attended the meeting.

He provided the forum with a presentation on the progress of delivering Bury Public Health’s – LETS Get Bury Moving Framework’s ambition around integrating physical activity into everyone’s daily routines. The local Bee Network infrastructure was pivotal in achieving the Chief Medical Officers activity levels for good health across the life course.

Evidence and local insight indicated that some of Bury’s communities experience stark inequalities and that access to traditional sports facilities just isn’t feasible given cost of living priorities around food, housing and warmth.

Bury Public Health and stakeholders are working closely with Early Years around physical development levels along with schools around National Childhood Measurement Programme outcomes at reception and year 6. There is significant work locally to engage those living well and the working / training and education population’s nudging those contemplating active travel into commuting, utility and recreational travel options.

The Presentation covered:-

• Equality Impact Assessment (EIA) completed around the LET’S Get Bury Moving Strategy
• Schools and education accreditation
• Business activation 
• Ageing Walking Audits
• Activation

Councillor Green commented that she lived near a school and would be interested in involving them in the project. Lee Buggie would arrange to meet with Councillor Green.

The Chair stated that a number of Members are school Governors and was there anything they could be sent to promote the scheme. Dan Coles reported there are a number of schools in Greater Manchester that they could work with and was happy to have a further discussion on the topic.

It was agreed:

That the Forum noted the report/ presentation and also provided comments on delivering the Bee Network Update around infrastructure and activation for health and wellbeing across active travel networks and further ambitions around more links to walking, wheeling and cycling options.

April - June 2025 Update.

Daniel Coles representing Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) provided Elected Members with an update on the Local Bee Network Forum transport update between April and June 2025.

The detailed report included in the agenda packs covered strategic activity, network updates along with wider local updates.

It was agreed:

That the report be noted.

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) will present an update on progress in delivering the Bee Network, Greater Manchester’s plan for a high-quality, affordable and fully integrated public transport and active travel system for the people and businesses of Greater Manchester.

Daniel Coles provided a verbal update on progress in delivering the Bee Network, Greater Manchester’s plan for a high-quality, affordable and fully integrated public transport and active travel system for the people and businesses of Greater Manchester.

The Chair enquired why there had been a delay with Whitefield tunnel and it was reported this was due to trees on public land with a 28-day notice issued before work was undertaken.

Members also discussed densely populated urban areas and sink holes in the Prestwich area which impacted on bus routes along lesser roads away from main routes due to the area being congested and built on a sand-based footing.

It was agreed:

That the report be noted and comments submitted on the Bee Network quarterly update.

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) will present an update on the Bury Interchange redevelopment project, Phase 1: Metrolink Access & Platform Improvement Works.

Christine Bainbridge, Projects and Programme Manager, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) presented an update on the Bury Interchange redevelopment project, Phase 1: Metrolink Access & Platform Improvement Works.

The project would deliver a modern, integrated transport hub joining up bus, tram and active travel as part of the Bee Network with significantly improved passenger facilities.

The new interchange will form a key part of the Bee Network - Greater Manchester’s joined-up transport network – with buses, trams and better walking, wheeling and cycling links all in one place.?

It will also be a key component in Bury’s Town Centre Masterplan, acting as a catalyst for regeneration in the area and providing an improved gateway to the town centre.

The focus of the presentation was the Phase 1 proposals which include a new town centre footbridge that will span the Metrolink lines from Union Square to Pyramid Park, the bridge will serve as a second, new access to the tram platforms.?Phase 1 also includes platform and canopy improvements.

The Presentation covered:-

• Project objectives
• Progress to date
• Phasing of the scheme
• Designs
• Access
• New bridge
• Platform improvements
• Connection to Union Square & Pyramid Park
• Underpass
• Planning application
• Timescales

The Committee Clerk would circulate the slide deck to Members of the Committee.

Councillor Green asked if the art consultants would meet with young people to discuss artwork and feed into the project.

Councillor Southworth enquired about cycle storage and it was reported that this was part of active travel across GM and using the app maybe the best way to utilise them.

It was agreed:

That the report and presentation update be noted.</AI5>

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The Forum looked at the draft work programme for 2025/26 and potential items to place in future meetings over the remainder of the municipal year.

It was agreed:

That the work programme be noted and added to over time.

The next meeting will be held at 6.00pm on Thursday the 25^th September 2025 at Bury Town Hall.

It was agreed:

That the next meeting will be held at 6.00pm on Thursday the 25th September 2025 at Bury Town Hall.