Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies were received from Councillors Davies, Green, Hook and Staples-Jones.

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 meeting held on 15 July 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 Housing Advisory Board, 9 June 2026 – Terms of Reference

It was moved by Councillor A Arif and seconded by Councillor Thorpe, with all members voting for and the Mayor abstaining that, Council approved the amended Terms of Reference

(B)   Audit Committee, 22 July 2026 – Financial Procedure Rules and Scheme of Delegation

It was moved by Councillor O’Brien and seconded by Councillor Thorpe, with all members voting for and the Mayor abstaining that, Council approved to amend the constitution

(C)   Planning Control Committee, 1 September 2026 – Scheme of Delegation

It was moved by Councillor Morris and seconded by Councillor Hayes, with 40 members voting for and the Mayor and six members abstaining that, Council noted the amendments to the constitution will be brought back for approval  

(D)   Meeting of Democratic Arrangements Forum, 9 September 2026 –Motions at Full Council

It was moved by Councillor O’Brien and seconded by Councillor L Smith, with all members voting for and the Mayor abstaining that, Council noted the amendments to the constitution will be brought back for approval  

Report from Sian Grant Director of Housing attached.

Report from S.151 Officer

A report from the Head of Development Management on the implementation of the National Scheme of Delegation for the determination of Planning Applications is attached.

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, Cllr 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: 

(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.

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

There was not enough time to respond to Questions 6 and 7, in line with the constitution they will receive written responses

(i)             Treatment and reducing the significant spread of giant hogweed

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 Duncalfe and seconded by Councillor M Smith and on being put to members with 47 members voting for, the Mayor declared the motion carried. 

(ii)           Building a Care System That Works: Bury Council and the National Conversation on Care

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 Tariq and seconded by Councillor A Quinn and on being put to members with 47 members voting for, the Mayor declared the motion carried. 

(iii)         Protecting Bury's hospitality sector – opposing the greater Manchester overnight visitor levy

Council considered a motion in the names of S Arif, I Gartside, K Hussain,

The motion was moved by Councillor S Arif and seconded by Councillor Gartside and on being put to members with 13 members voting for; 27 voting against, and the Mayor and six members abstaining, the Mayor declared the motion lost. 

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

The Motion Tracker was attached for information only.

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.

Members noted the urgent decision taken in relation to multiple posts for best start family hub guidance.