Agenda item

The following Notices of Motion have been received:-

(1)   Economic Growth and Excessive Interventions

This Council notes that;

1. There are many exciting plans for regeneration within the Borough that could offer further opportunity to widen and strengthen the hospitality offering that businesses can provide. 
2. A vibrant and successful hospitality sector provides many economic and social advantages. Through increasing the hospitality sector offering in the Borough that in itself contributes to economic growth which is to be welcomed and encouraged.
3. As well as people physically going to the different hospitality settings there is now significant opportunity to use technology to order food to be eaten at home.

This Council further notes;

1. That the Prime Minister has indicated although these proposals were not included in the Labour Party General Election manifesto the Government could ban smoking in external areas such as pub gardens and outside football stadiums.
2. The mixed messaging coming from Government Ministers some of whom have suggested that legislation could be used to restrict freedom of choice with regards to alcohol and food ingredients.
3. Restricting the choices of individuals by excessive Government intervention is likely to have a negative impact onthe hospitality industry and commercial property owners and reduce the potential of any economic growth.

This Council resolves to;

1.     Consult with the hospitality businesses and commercial property owners in Bury as to their views on the potential Government proposals outlined in this motion.

2.     As part of this consultation enquire if there is anything we can do as a Council to advocate on their behalf.

3.     Following receipt of the views of hospitality businesses and commercial property owners in Bury meet with the appropriate Business Group(s) to formulate an agreed action plan.

4.     Write to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care with the outcome of the consultation with Bury hospitality businesses and commercial property owners.

In the names of COUNCILLORS S. Arif, Bernstein, Brown, Gartside, Harris, Hussain, Lancaster, McBriar, Rydeheard, Vernon.

(2) Support to Armed Forces

Motion, to provide accessible facilities and opportunities for improving the mental & physical wellbeing of our armed forces community which will also directly benefit Blue Light service veterans

The Council notes that the Armed Forces Covenant Legal Duty, is a legal obligation on public bodies to ‘have due regard’ to the principles of the Covenant and requires decisions about the development and delivery of services to be made with conscious consideration of the needs of the Armed Forces community. These include healthcare, education, and housing services.

“Due regard” means that organisations in scope of the Duty will need to consciously consider the unique obligations and sacrifices made by the Armed Forces; that it is desirable to remove disadvantages faced by the Armed Forces community; and that special provision may be justified in some circumstances.

Although the Covenant has no mandate over veterans of the Blue Light Services the measures proposed would also support that wider community and those groups who are often overlooked especially in terms of mental health.

This Council resolves to:

• Direct Armed forces lead in healthcare, education, and housing services to promote better connectivity by working with veterans’ groups to better serve their unique needs. To find how we can best use our existing Council estate or find community venues with space to serve our veterans groups to enable development of support and access to space for their activities
• Support veterans and support groups by providing mental health first aid and wellbeing training. Work with local agencies including adult education to promote these courses that benefit the mental wellbeing and care of veterans of the armed forces.  This training could also benefit former police, fire, ambulance and members of the NHS as well as the wider community who have experienced traumatic events in the course of their former roles.
• Hold an annual veterans conference at the town hall attended by representatives from this council, council depts, NHS, Police, Fire & Ambulance services, veteran’s groups, charities & support groups and potential employers.
• Hold an Annual Festival of Remembrance at the town hall bringing together for the first time all veterans groups, family and supporters from around the borough.
• Address the lack of communication from the Drill Hall Trust as to when Bury’s historic Castle Armoury will be put back into use for the borough’s armed forces community. Direct the Drill Hall Trust and RFCA to provide a roadmap of when and how it will be brought back into a usable state. To commit to writing to the Secretary of State for Defence to seek his support in securing the future of this historic building. We would also seek an assurance from the Commanding Officer, Fifth Fusiliers, as to when the building is fit for their use and their return to their former home.
• Name a part of the Radcliffe Hub after the town’s only VC recipient Pte James Hutchinson and other local heros. To explore options with the local community as to the best way of celebrating local heros within the current regeneration programme
• Distribute promotional materials celebrating the borough’s two VC recipients in local schools

References

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5f59f003d3bf7f7234487b8d/Booklet_-_Local_Authority_Guide_-_Overview.pdf

https://www.armedforcescovenant.gov.uk/about-the-covenant/covenant-in-depth/#special-provision

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/636a3e10d3bf7f16484798b0/Armed_Forces_Covenant_Duty_Statutory_Guidance.pdf

https://safeandfoundonline.co.uk/index.html

https://www.britishlegion.org.uk/get-support/physical-and-mental-wellbeing/crisis-support

https://www.ssafa.org.uk/get-help

https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/armedforcescommunity/bulletins/ukarmedforcesveteransenglandandwales/census2021

In the names of COUNCILLORS Birchmore, Berry, Booth, Duncalfe, Marsden, M Smith, K Simpson and Mary Walsh.

(3) Exploration of Health Impact Assessments in Council Policy Development

This Council notes:

• The significant challenges facing Bury's health system, including financial overspends at the Greater Manchester NHS level, rising health demands across both adult and child services, and a demand profile above the national average due to local population health concerns.
• The critical need to shift towards preventive strategies to ease the burden on NHS and Local Authority services while improving residents' quality of life and reversing years lived in ill health.

This Council further notes:

• The broader determinants of health, which profoundly affect the health and wellbeing of our residents, and the importance of considering that Council decisions on policies, services, and budgets may contribute either to a health "dividend" or potential future health "debt."
• While corporate objectives are referenced in Council papers and policies, there is currently no formal health impact assessment within the decision-making process.

This Council resolves to:

1. Explore the Inclusion of Health Impact Assessments (HIA)

Consider the integration of an HIA in future council reports, papers, and policy proposals to assess potential impacts on the health and wellbeing of Bury’s population. If adopted, after the review, the HIA would serve as an advisory component in decision-making, aiming for increased transparency and encouraging Councillors to reflect on health implications in their decisions.

2. Develop a Preliminary Framework for HIA Implementation
   Explore and work towards a feasible and cost-effective framework for assessing health impacts that takes into account the wider determinants of health across all council activities. The aim is to create a practical, scalable framework that could eventually become an integral part of council policy and decision-making processes.
3. Look to engage Local Health Partners in Framework Design
   Collaborate with key health partners—including NHS bodies, public health teams, and the voluntary sector—to design an adaptable framework that aligns with Bury’s health goals. By involving health sector stakeholders, the Council seeks to develop a comprehensive and collaborative framework.
4. If a framework is implemented, then work to monitor and Evaluate the Framework’s Effectiveness.
   Commit to periodically reviewing the framework's effectiveness and its implementation, with updates reported to the Health Scrutiny Committee. This review process will ensure that the framework remains responsive and relevant to health priorities, with attention given to any instances where Council decisions diverge from the HIA’s recommendations.
5. To request the Director of Public Health, and or the Monitoring Officer report back within a 6 month timeframe to the Health and Wellbeing Board with their recommendations following an exploration exercise.

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, A Quinn, D Quinn, Rafiq, Rahimov, Rizvi, Rubinstein, Ryder, L Smith, Southworth, Staples-Jones, Tariq, Thorpe, Walmsley