Agenda and draft minutes

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

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 first citizen updated Members of the Council on work undertaken since the last meeting.

Minutes attached.

The minutes of the meeting held on 19 February 2025 were approved as 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:

(I)           Locality Board – Terms of Reference

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

·       The revised Locality Board Terms of Reference

(II)          Democratic Arrangements Forum – meetings timetable for the municipal year 2025/26

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

·       The Council meetings timetable for the municipal year 2025.26

(III)        Cabinet – Appointment of Deputy Mayor for the civic year 2025/26

It was moved by Councillor O’Brien and seconded by Councillor Gold and on being put with all Members voting for; that, Council, approves:

·       The appointment of Councillor Tahir Rafiq as Deputy Mayor for the Civic year 2025/26

(Iv)        Employment Panel – Director Regeneration and Project Delivery

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

·       The re-grading of the role of Director of Regeneration and Project Delivery from Chief Officer Band E to Chief Officer Band F.

(Iv)        Employment Panel – Director of Adult Social Services and Community Commissioning

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

·       An increased Market Supplement payable to the Director of Adult Social Services and Community Commissioning from £14K to £20K payable from July 2025 for a period of two years.

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. (20 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 14 to 20 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.  The focus of this update is the Greater Manchester Pension Scheme.

(B)          The GM Pensions representative, Councillor Thorpe will then be invited to present a verbal update on the work of the Authority (5 minutes).

(C)          Members will be allowed to ask verbal questions on the verbal update (5 minutes).

(D)          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. (10 minutes)

The Council received a report on the work of the Combined Authorities and a verbal update from Cabinet Member, Councillor Thorpe on the work of the GMPF

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

(i)             Seeking dialogue with the Mayor of Greater Manchester regarding Places for Everyone

Members are asked to consider a notice of motion in the names of Councillors S.Arif, Bernstein, Brown, Gartside, Harris, Hussain, Lancaster, McBriar, Rydeheard, Vernon

THIS COUNCIL NOTES THAT:

The Places for Everyone (PfE) Joint Development Plan was an agreement between all Greater Manchester Authorities with the exception of Stockport.

The PfE Joint Development Plan Document and Policies Map was agreed following consultation with the eight other PfE authorities during March/April 2024.

The PfE has been the subject of ongoing legal action.

Progress is being made in relation to a Local Plan to compliment PfE   

THIS COUNCIL NOTES FURTHER:

On 12^th February 2025 one of the nine PfE authorities Oldham Council passed a motion instructing the Leader of the Council and the Acting Chief Executive (of Oldham Council) to write to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government requesting that they remove Oldham Borough from the Places for Everyone development plan.  The letter was sent to the Secretary of State on 19^th February 2025.

Speaking on BBC Radio Manchester on 13^th February 2025 the Mayor of Greater Manchester spoke that he would be reaching out to the opposition leaders and the of Leader of Oldham Council with a view to finding a compromise.

As all nine GM Authorities agreed PfE with a full understanding of its impact for each other it is our duty and responsibility to ensure we are not adversely impacted by any individual compromise between the Mayor of Greater Manchester and Oldham Council.

As such for issues of equity and fairness we need to ensure the principles being applied by the Mayor of Greater Manchester with Oldham Council are applied to ourselves. 

THIS COUNCIL RESOLVES TO:

Seek an urgent meeting to be attended by the Leader of the Council and Opposition Group Leaders with the Mayor of Greater Manchester to ensure any compromise being applied to Oldham Council does not adversely impact ourselves and if they do then the same principles are applied to ourselves.

A Special meeting of the Council to be held no later than 7 May 2025 to report back on the outcome of the meeting with the Mayor Greater Manchester. 

(ii) Cross Party Budget Setting

Members are asked to consider a notice of 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

It has been clear over the last few years that this Council along with many others has felt the effects of increasing pressures and financial demands in an environment of reduced budgets and an absence of a fair funding settlement.

We can all agree that only by pulling in the same direction as a Council to reduce the effects of future budget savings on all of our communities we must ensure constant and meaningful engagement so that we are  ...  view the full agenda text for item C. 59

(i)                      Seeking dialogue with the Mayor of Greater Manchester regarding Places for Everyone

Council considered a motion in the names S. Arif, Bernstein, Brown, Gartside, Harris, Hussain, Lancaster, McBriar, Rydeheard, Vernon.

The motion was moved by Councillor Bernstein and seconded by Councillor Harris following a request for a recorded vote from 8 Members present, on being put; with

CouncillorsS. Arif, Bernstein, Berry, Birchmore, Brown, Booth, Duncalfe, Gartside, Harris, Lancaster, Marsden, McBriar, Rydeheard, Simpson, M Smith, Vernon, Walsh and Y Wright voting for

And;

Councillors A Arif, Bayley, Boles, Cummins, Farooq, Fitzgerald, Frith, Gold, Green, Grimshaw, Hayes, Hook, Ibrahim, McGill, Morris, Moss, O'Brien, Pilkington, Quinn Alan, Quinn Deborah, Rafiq, Rizvi, Rahimov, Rubinstein, Ryder, Smith Lucy, John Southworth, Staples-Jones Gareth, Tariq, Thorpe, Walmsley voting against;

And the Mayor abstaining, the Mayor declared the Motion Lost.

(ii)                     Cross party budget setting

Council considered a motion in the names Booth, Berry, Birchmore, Duncalfe, Marsden, Simpson, M Smith, Walsh.

The motion was moved by Councillor Berry and seconded by Councillor M Smith and on being put with 18 members voting for and 30 members voting against and the Mayor abstaining, the Mayor declared the motion lost.

(iii)                    Extending Business Improvement District Boards

Council considered a notice of motion received in the names of Councillors: 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, Rizvi, Rahimov, Rubinstein, Ryder, Smith Lucy, John Southworth, Staples-Jones Gareth, Tariq, Thorpe, Walmsley.

The Motion was moved by Councillor Staples Jones and seconded by Councillor Morris and on being put with the majority of Members voting in favour, Council agreed to:

1) Consult with businesses across Borough of Bury to seek views on the creation of BIDs in their respective towns.

2) To prioritise and align the future work of any BIDs with the significant financial investment being made into town centres and local infrastructure by Bury Council.

A report setting out progress in respect of Motions passed at the last meeting of Council is detailed below:

There are no scrutiny reviews or specific items called in.

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.