(i) Anti-social driving
A motion had been received and set in the Summons in the names of:
Councillors; Arif, Bernstein, Brown, Dean, Gartside, Harris, Lancaster, Hussain, Jones, McBriar, Rydeheard, Vernon
This Council is determined to take further steps to combat the scourge of dangerous and anti-social driving which has been reported over many years and months, and which continues to be a major issue for communities across the borough.
Speeding, reckless and dangerous driving in Bury, Radcliffe, Ramsbottom, Tottington, Prestwich and Whitefield is utterly abhorrent and poses significant and unnecessary risks to both road users and pedestrians alike.
In recent reports in the Bury Times and on social media (from community groups) it is clear the situation is becoming worse.
As a Council we have a duty and responsibility to protect all our residents living in the borough and those people who are visiting or passing through our towns and villages.
This Council resolves to:-
· Call on the Chief Executive to write to the GMP Bury Division Chief Superintendent to ask that mobile speed camera initiatives are implemented across the borough to catch offenders, crack down on dangerous drivers and to provide reassurance to the communities of the borough.
· Call on the Chief Executive to write to the GMP Bury Division Chief Superintendent to undertake a borough wide initiative with the objective to reduce the illegal use Off-Road Bikes and e-scooters which are a cause of significant anti-social behaviour.
· To ask the Council to hold meetings with residents and community groups in known hotspots of dangerous and anti-social driving to understand their concerns and to listen to their suggestions on how to combat these issues.
· To ask the Council to explore more options which can be implemented to reduce dangerous driving, whether this be speed humps, permanent traffic cameras or traffic islands.
· To ask the Council to consider if measures already agreed such as crossing points can be implemented earlier than announced.
(ii) Work towards improving and safeguarding the Bury MBC stretch of the Manchester, Bolton and Bury Canal
A motion had been received and set in the Summons in the names of:
Councillors; Birchmore, Berry, Booth, Duncalfe, Marsden, Mason, Cllr Mike Smith and Cllr Mary Walsh
Manchester, Bolton and Bury Canal is a fantastic wildlife corridor through Radcliffe and Bury. It extends as far as the border with Little Lever in the south and runs up to Elton Reservoir and into Redvales and Church ward at the north end. It is well loved by residents and in the lockdown period it served as a much-needed green space for residents. In recent years, the Bury MBC section has been looked after by Little Britain Anglers and Radcliffe Litter Pickers.
For many years there has been talk of restoring the canal but the Canal and Rivers Trust to consider the canal low priority. CRT are obliged to keep the MBB canal safe for public use, however they are under no obligation to make it navigable because it is classed as a 'remainder canal' (Transport Act 1968). As custodians of the canal the Council needs to find a way to work with CRT to improve the prospects for the canal.
The Council notes:
The canal suffers from being overgrown by several species including:
• Duckweed, which as well as being unsightly and in hot weather is smelly, if left to thrive, the weed can cause problems for other aquatic plants and wildlife by starving it of oxygen and sunlight.
• Himalayan Balsam, growing along the banks and in reed beds is outgrowing native species and reducing biodiversity by restricting native plant growth
• Giant hogweed growing on the upper reaches near the Elton Reservoir end, is a very dangerous plant for which the sap can cause serious skin burns. It contains furocoumarin, which makes skin extremely sensitive to sunlight (phytophotodermatitis).
• Trees growing into the structure of the canal and can cause damage to the sides and will eventually impact on the structural integrity.
In addition to the problem plants and invasive species listed above, there is a problem with litter being thrown into the canal which is often difficult to retrieve. This is especially true at places where pedestrian bridges cross the canal. The Council should help to reduce the problems caused by litter by addressing littering on Council owned land bordering the canal and pedestrian access to the canal across Council owned land.
The Council resolves to
Commit to the following:
• Carry out a feasibility study into renovation of the canal with the possibility of including it in the Radcliffe Regeneration plans. This should consider the ambition to use the canal as a facility for fishing and water sports and working with the Canal and Rivers Trust to improve the tow paths to give better access for walking and cycling.
• Look at ways of preventing fly-tipping and littering from Council owned land such as car parks and bridges crossing the canal
• Work to ensure visibility in currently obscured areas of access to the canal to prevent risk of crime, anti-social behaviour, and damage to property such as graffiti
• Working with the police to address the safety concerns of residents accessing and using the tow path
• Call on the Canal and Rivers Trust to adopt a strategy to stop the water in the canal dropping to a level hazardous to wildlife
(ii) Freeze Energy Prices With A Windfall Tax On Oil And Gas Companies
A motion had been received and set in the Summons in the names of:
Councillors: A. Arif, N Bayley, C Boles, N Boroda, C Cummins, U Farooq, E FitzGerald, N Frith, R Gold, D Green, J Grimshaw, S Haroon, M Hayes, G McGill, C Morris, E Moss, E O’Brien, K Peel, T Pilkington, A Quinn, D Quinn, T Rafiq, I Rizvi, L Smith, T Tariq, S Thorpe, S Walmsley, and M Whitby.
This Council notes:
The announcement that the household energy price cap will rise to
£3,549 in October, a doubling of the cap in the last 12
months - equating to energy bills of £300 per month for a
typical household.
Analysis from Citizens Advice which shows that a quarter of people
in the UK simply won't be able to pay their energy bills in
October.
The extortionate price hikes which will hit businesses, schools,
local Councils and hospitals which are excluded from the price cap
and reports that many vital local small businesses like small
retailers, pubs and fish and chip shops will be forced to
close.
Alarming reports that the energy price cap could hit over
£5,000 in January.
That all of this come at a time
when oil and gas companies are making enormous profits off the back
of this crisis, giving out billions of pounds to
shareholders.
This Council welcomes:
The Labour Party's plan to freeze the household energy price cap,
halting a massive hike in energy bills and saving every household
in Bury £1,000 this winter, and that this will be paid for by
a windfall tax on excess profits from oil and gas companies.
The Labour Party's package of support to help businesses facing
spiralling energy costs, including an increase in the Business
Rates threshold for small businesses saving high street businesses
up to £5,000.
The Labour Party's broader plan for energy sustainability and
security as part of a £28 billion Climate Investment Pledge
which includes proposals to upgrade energy efficiency in 19 million
homes - saving families in Bury an average of over £1,000 a
year off their energy bills - double our onshore and offshore wind
capacity, triple our solar power production and end the delay on
nuclear power.
This Council commits to:
Write to the new Prime Minister urging them to adopt Labour's plans
to save households in Bury £1,000 this winter through a
windfall tax, start insulating millions of homes to save households
money in future years and address our long-term energy needs
through investment in sustainable, renewable energy.
Include in the letter our
concerns about the rising cost of energy for public services,
including schools, hospitals and local authorities – as well
as local businesses – who are not subject to a cap.
Continue to do all we can as a local authority, through our new
Anti-Poverty Strategy, to support those residents most in need
through the cost-of-living crisis, with £2.5 million targeted
support this year for households in Bury.
Minutes:
(i) Anti-social driving
A motion had been received and set in the Summons in the names of:
Councillors; Arif, Bernstein, Brown, Dean, Gartside, Harris, Lancaster, Hussain, Jones, McBriar, Rydeheard, Vernon
This Council is determined to take further steps to combat the scourge of dangerous and anti-social driving which has been reported over many years and months, and which continues to be a major issue for communities across the borough.
Speeding, reckless and dangerous driving in Bury, Radcliffe, Ramsbottom, Tottington, Prestwich and Whitefield is utterly abhorrent and poses significant and unnecessary risks to both road users and pedestrians alike.
In recent reports in the Bury Times and on social media (from community groups) it is clear the situation is becoming worse.
As a Council we have a duty and responsibility to protect all our residents living in the borough and those people who are visiting or passing through our towns and villages.
This Council resolves to:-
· Call on the Chief Executive to write to the GMP Bury Division Chief Superintendent to ask that mobile speed camera initiatives are implemented across the borough to catch offenders, crack down on dangerous drivers and to provide reassurance to the communities of the borough.
· Call on the Chief Executive to write to the GMP Bury Division Chief Superintendent to undertake a borough wide initiative with the objective to reduce the illegal use Off-Road Bikes and e-scooters which are a cause of significant anti-social behaviour.
· To ask the Council to hold meetings with residents and community groups in known hotspots of dangerous and anti-social driving to understand their concerns and to listen to their suggestions on how to combat these issues.
· To ask the Council to explore more options which can be implemented to reduce dangerous driving, whether this be speed humps, permanent traffic cameras or traffic islands.
· To ask the Council to consider if measures already agreed such as crossing points can be implemented earlier than announced.
On being put with 42 Members voting for and 0 members voting against and the Mayor abstaining
The Mayor declared the motion was carried.
Councillor Donnelly was not in the Chamber when the vote was taken.
(ii) Work towards improving and safeguarding the Bury MBC stretch of the Manchester, Bolton and Bury Canal
A motion had been received and set in the Summons in the names of:
Councillors; Birchmore, Berry, Booth, Duncalfe, Marsden, Mason, Cllr Mike Smith and Cllr Mary Walsh
Manchester, Bolton and Bury Canal is a fantastic wildlife corridor through Radcliffe and Bury. It extends as far as the border with Little Lever in the south and runs up to Elton Reservoir and into Redvales and Church ward at the north end. It is well loved by residents and in the lockdown period it served as a much-needed green space for residents. In recent years, the Bury MBC section has been looked after by Little Britain Anglers and Radcliffe Litter Pickers.
For many years there has been talk of restoring the canal but the Canal and Rivers Trust to consider the canal low priority. CRT are obliged to keep the MBB canal safe for public use, however they are under no obligation to make it navigable because it is classed as a 'remainder canal' (Transport Act 1968). As custodians of the canal the Council needs to find a way to work with CRT to improve the prospects for the canal.
The Council notes:
The canal suffers from being overgrown by several species including:
• Duckweed, which as well as being unsightly and in hot weather is smelly, if left to thrive, the weed can cause problems for other aquatic plants and wildlife by starving it of oxygen and sunlight.
• Himalayan Balsam, growing along the banks and in reed beds is outgrowing native species and reducing biodiversity by restricting native plant growth
• Giant hogweed growing on the upper reaches near the Elton Reservoir end, is a very dangerous plant for which the sap can cause serious skin burns. It contains furocoumarin, which makes skin extremely sensitive to sunlight (phytophotodermatitis).
• Trees growing into the structure of the canal and can cause damage to the sides and will eventually impact on the structural integrity.
In addition to the problem plants and invasive species listed above, there is a problem with litter being thrown into the canal which is often difficult to retrieve. This is especially true at places where pedestrian bridges cross the canal. The Council should help to reduce the problems caused by litter by addressing littering on Council owned land bordering the canal and pedestrian access to the canal across Council owned land.
The Council resolves to
Commit to the following:
• Carry out a feasibility study into renovation of the canal with the possibility of including it in the Radcliffe Regeneration plans. This should consider the ambition to use the canal as a facility for fishing and water sports and working with the Canal and Rivers Trust to improve the tow paths to give better access for walking and cycling.
• Look at ways of preventing fly-tipping and littering from Council owned land such as car parks and bridges crossing the canal
· Work to ensure visibility in currently obscured areas of access to the canal to prevent risk of crime, anti-social behaviour, and damage to property such as graffiti
• Working with the police to address the safety concerns of residents accessing and using the tow path
• Call on the Canal and Rivers Trust to adopt a strategy to stop the water in the canal dropping to a level hazardous to wildlife
An amendment was moved by Councillor Peel and Seconded by Councillor A Quinn to
Manchester, Bolton and Bury Canal is a fantastic wildlife corridor through Radcliffe and Bury. It extends as far as the border with Little Lever in the south and runs up to Elton Reservoir and into Redvales and Church ward at the north end. It is well loved by residents and in the lockdown period it served as a much-needed green space for residents. In recent years, the Bury MBC section has been looked after by Little Britain Anglers and Radcliffe Litter Pickers.
REMOVE [For many years there has been talk of
restoring the canal but the Canal and Rivers Trust to consider the
canal low priority. CRT are obliged to keep the MBB canal safe for
public use, however they are under no obligation to make it
navigable because it is classed as a 'remainder canal' (Transport
Act 1968). As custodians of the canal the Council needs to find a
way to work with CRT to improve the prospects for the
canal.]
The Council notes:
The canal suffers from being overgrown by several species including:
• Duckweed, which as well as being unsightly and in hot weather is smelly, if left to thrive, the weed can cause problems for other aquatic plants and wildlife by starving it of oxygen and sunlight.
• Himalayan Balsam, growing along the banks and in reed beds is outgrowing native species and reducing biodiversity by restricting native plant growth
• Giant hogweed growing on the upper reaches near the Elton Reservoir end, is a very dangerous plant for which the sap can cause serious skin burns. It contains furocoumarin, which makes skin extremely sensitive to sunlight (phytophotodermatitis).
• Trees growing into the structure of the canal and can cause damage to the sides and will eventually impact on the structural integrity.
REMOVE [In addition to the problem plants and
invasive species listed above, there is a problem with litter being
thrown into the canal which is often difficult to retrieve. This is
especially true at places where pedestrian bridges cross the canal.
The Council should help to reduce the problems caused by litter by
addressing littering on Council owned land bordering the canal and
pedestrian access to the canal across Council owned
land.]
INSERT [The ongoing challenges of litter and fly-tipping and maintenance of trees and other growth along the canal and the responsibilities of all partners involved to keep the canal well maintained and prevent further deterioration.
The ambitious and exciting Restoration Feasibility Study commissioned in 2020 jointly by Manchester, Bolton and Bury Canal Society, the Canal & Rivers Trust, Bury Council and Bolton Council for the full restoration of the 5-mile stretch of canal through Bury to Bolton.]
The Council resolves to
Commit to the following:
REMOVE [• Carry out a
feasibility study into renovation of the canal with the possibility
of including it in the Radcliffe Regeneration plans. This should
consider the ambition to use the canal as a facility for fishing
and water sports and working with the Canal and Rivers Trust to
improve the tow paths to give better access for walking and
cycling.]
• Look at ways of preventing fly-tipping and littering from Council owned land such as car parks and bridges crossing the canal
• Work to ensure visibility in currently obscured areas of access to the canal to prevent risk of crime, anti-social behaviour, and damage to property such as graffiti
• Working with the police to address the safety concerns of residents accessing and using the tow path
• Call on the Canal and Rivers Trust to adopt a strategy to stop the water in the canal dropping to a level hazardous to wildlife
INSERT [
· Maintain our commitment to the full restoration of the canal through Bury and Radcliffe as expressed in the 2020 Restoration Feasibility Study.
The amendment on being put with 35 members voting for and 8 voting against and the Mayor abstaining
The Mayor declared the amendment was carried.
The substantive motion on being put with 36 members voting for and 7 voting against and the Mayor abstaining
The Mayor declared the substantive motion carried.
(III)Freeze Energy Prices With A Windfall Tax On Oil And Gas Companies
A motion had been received and set in the Summons in the names of:
Councillors: A. Arif, N Bayley, C Boles, N Boroda, C Cummins, U Farooq, E FitzGerald, N Frith, R Gold, D Green, J Grimshaw, S Haroon, M Hayes, G McGill, C Morris, E Moss, E O’Brien, K Peel, T Pilkington, A Quinn, D Quinn, T Rafiq, I Rizvi, L Smith, T Tariq, S Thorpe, S Walmsley, and M Whitby.
The Mayor announced that following changes since the publication of the agenda an altered motion will be moved.
Councillor Tariq moved the altered motion set out below, this was seconded by Councillor Quinn;
REMOVE [This Council notes:
The announcement that the household energy price cap will rise to
£3,549 in October, a doubling of the cap in the last 12
months - equating to energy bills of £300 per month for a
typical household.
Analysis from Citizens Advice which shows that a quarter of people
in the UK simply won't be able to pay their energy bills in
October.
This Council notes:
The announcement that the Government will now cap energy bills for typical a household to £2500, nearly £1500 higher than two years ago.
That this cap will still leave households facing
significantly higher bills and steep financial pressures.
Alarming reports that the energy price cap could
hit over £5,000 in January.
INSERT:
That this change of policy will not be funded by a windfall tax on excessive profits within the oil and gas industries
RETAIN:
That extortionate price hikes will still hit businesses, schools, local Councils, and hospitals which are excluded from the price cap and there are still reports that many vital local small businesses like small retailers, pubs and fish and chip shops may be forced to close.
That all of this come at a time when oil and gas
companies are making enormous profits off the back of this crisis,
giving out billions of pounds to shareholders.
This Council welcomes:
The Labour Party's plan to freeze the household energy price cap,
halting a massive hike in energy bills and saving every household
in Bury £1,000 this winter, and that this will be paid for by
a windfall tax on excess profits from oil and gas companies.
The Labour Party's package of support to help businesses facing
spiralling energy costs, including an increase in the Business
Rates threshold for small businesses saving high street businesses
up to £5,000.
The Labour Party's broader plan for energy sustainability and
security as part of a £28 billion Climate Investment Pledge
which includes proposals to upgrade energy efficiency in 19 million
homes - saving families in Bury an average of over £1,000 a
year off their energy bills - double our onshore and offshore wind
capacity, triple our solar power production and end the delay on
nuclear power.
This Council commits to:
Write to the new Prime Minister urging them to adopt Labour's plans
to save households in Bury £1,000 this winter through a
windfall tax, start insulating millions of homes to save households
money in future years and address our long-term energy needs
through investment in sustainable, renewable energy.
Include in the letter our concerns about the rising
cost of energy for public services, including schools, hospitals
and local authorities – as well as local businesses –
who are not subject to a cap.
Continue to do all we can as a local authority, through our new
Anti-Poverty Strategy, to support those residents most in need
through the cost-of-living crisis, with £2.5 million targeted
support this year for households in Bury.
On being put with 24 Members voting for and 12 against and 8 including the Mayor abstaining the motion was declared carried