Agenda item

A period of 30 minutes has been set aside for members of the public to ask questions on matters considered at the last meeting and set out in the minutes or on the agenda for tonight’s meeting.

Questions and responses, received in advance of the meeting are attached.

The following questions from members of the public were received in advance of the meeting:

Question one:  The green on old hall park estate was purchased form barretts in1979 with no onerous covenants and leisure controlled whatever that means. its service use is described as leisure. For over 45years it has been used by the community continually and the residents committee have planted bulbs fruit trees and purchased a memorial bench which is in daily use.  In the current covid pandemic it has been a real life saver as a safe place for exercise fresh air and socially distanced contact with neighbours. So why has ii been placed on this list?  Yvonne Moore

Supplementary question: Can the Leader confirm if the land has been earmarked for disposal because the Council does not wish to continue to cover the maintenance costs?

In response Councillor O’Brien, Leader of the Council reported that the Cabinet report considered on the 24^th November 2020 approved the Council taking active steps to rationalise its land and property assets that are surplus to the requirements of the Council and are non-strategic; but which continue to need a continuous injection of revenue funding to maintain them.

The Council expects to generate capital receipts of £8 million pounds because of the land disposal.  For efficiency purposes, land is disposed of, in one tranche, the Leader reported this does not suggest that the land does not have any value or it is not important or it should not be protected.

Question Two:  Were valuations done to ascertain the estimated level of capital receipts from the sale of the assets in the report and if so have they been prioritised? What monetary value are the Council seeking for the land?  Lois Clements

Supplementary Question:  Are members aware of how this area has been used and much loved by residents over the last 40+ years? Do they know it has been planted with trees and bulbs by residents, a commemorative bench provided, community events such as the recent VE Day celebrations have taken place here and election cabins located for Pilkington Park ward?
Bury's vision statement includes the following priority "Drive forward through effective marketing and information, proactive engagement with the people of Bury to take ownership of their own health and wellbeing". Would the members explain how the removal of a much loved amenity green space will improve residents wellbeing, particularly those who are older and less mobile?

In response Councillor O’Brien, Leader of the Council reported no formal valuations have been carried out, the Council will in the first instance look to test interest in the sites, including interest from the community.  The Council is not looking to remove the area, but rather to take active steps to rationalise Council land and property assets that non strategic and surplus to the requirements of the Council and need a continuous injection of revenue funding to maintain them.

Question three -  When the current estate was completed, the Council refused the builder's further planning permission request for additional building on the land at Rye Croft - known as “the Green” to generations of our children who have played there for some 45 years and has been a valued open space to residents who live within a stone’s throw of what has become one of the busiest and heaviest polluting motorways in the UK. Why is it now possible to consider building there? David Moore

The Leader reported that the Council is not considering building on the asset, the report agreed at Cabinet only indicates the intention to dispose of the land.

Question four – There are four areas of green space in my estate that are proposed for disposal as part of the Accelerated Land sale; why were the residents, who would be most impacted by the proposed disposal, not consulted and why don’t we know anything about it? Karen Harrison

The Leader of the Council reported that on the 16^th June Elected Members were sent at email (with a report attached) identifying the sites in their ward boundaries, for disposal.  It was the responsibility of those ward Members to use this information and consult with their constituents.  Following this email, the report was considered at Cabinet on the 30^th June 2021, in considering the report at Cabinet the document was made available on the Council’s website. 

The Leader reported that land disposal is at the consultation stage, no decisions have been made other than the decision to dispose of the sites.  Members of the public are therefore encouraged to contact their ward members or the Leader, the Council to voice objections or express interest in using a site for community services or otherwise. 

The Leader apologised that the resident was not aware of the plans and reported he would review what the Council can do to improve communication and will look at introducing similar engagement/processes for the land disposal sites as the Council currently undertakes when dealing with a planning application.

Question five - The Council declared a Climate emergency in 2019 and in doing so made a commitment to protect green spaces for the health and wellbeing of its residents.  A memorial bench is within these grounds, and I would like to go on record and state the family will not support the moving/removal of the memorial bench, a bench opened by the Mayor, with other Councillors present and paid for by the local community. Yigal Landey

The Leader reported that some sites identified for disposal would not be appropriate for a housing development and local groups may wish to take them on for community use.  The Council recognise that there are assets of community value, and it may be appropriate to pursue the option of a community asset transfer (C.A.T.).  The Leader reported that no decision other than the disposal of the land has been made, if residents would like to get involved in the C.A.T. process he would be more than happy for those residents to utilise Council resources, officers and advice to explore this route.

Question six - The land at Ryecroft is a place of wellbeing for the whole estate and if removed the nearest park is over 2 miles away, what will the Council do to replace the land? Lorraine Munford

Responding the Leader reported that despite cuts to Council budget all parks in Bury have managed to maintain their green flag status.   As stated previously if the community expressed an interest in a Community Asset Transfer the Council will provide officers and resource to assist.

The Chair thanked the members of the public present for their attendance and advised that responses would be made available on the Council’s website following the meeting.