(i) Ending Homelessness
This Council notes:
1 The national scandal of homelessness, with official figures showing over 4,000 people sleeping rough and over 250,000 people in some form of homelessness.
2 That figures for sleeping rough have increased by nearly 50% in the last two years.
3 That Greater Manchester as a sub-region has a particular homelessness problem, with Manchester having the 4th highest rates of rough sleeping in the country.
Council is committed to:
4 ENDING homelessness, for example using the criteria supported by the homelessness charity Crisis:
· no one sleeping rough
· no one living in shelters, hostels or other emergency accommodation without a plan to move into suitable and settled housing within an agreed appropriate timescale
· no one homeless as a result of leaving the care system, prison or other state institution
· everyone at immediate risk of homelessness gets the help that prevents it happening.
Council therefore resolves:
1 Write to our two MPs, urging them to support action at a Government level, including:
- Adequately funding local government and local health services enable them to properly undertake their duties to tackle homelessness and causes of homelessness
- Ensuring that the benefits system is contributing to stopping homelessness, not causing it
- Addressing issues in housing provision, including providing for longer and more stable private rental periods
2 Support tackling homelessness at a Greater Manchester level, including:
- Supporting the Homelessness Action Network created by the Greater Manchester Mayor
- Working together as ten boroughs, and using our devolved powers to collectively bring an end to homelessness as an urgent priority.
- Ensuring that a revised Greater Manchester Spatial Framework has appropriate and affordable housing as a core priority.
3 Ensure that Bury, and our Team Bury partners, are doing everything we can to contribute to ending homelessness by asking the Leader to bring a report to Cabinet outlining how our local services are working to secure and end homelessness in the Borough.
In the names of Councillors M D’Albert, T Pickstone and S Wright.
(ii) Summerseat
1. In December 2015 the iconic Waterside Building in Summerseat collapsed in to the River Irwell due to unprecedented flooding.
2. Since that date the Waterside Bridge has been closed to motor vehicular traffic.
3. Residents and business in Summerseat have suffered great inconvenience and disruption as a result of the aforementioned. Many feel their day-to-day existences have become intolerable due to the increased traffic flow on Rowlands Road and Railway Street, the appalling state of local roads and inconsiderate / speeding motorists.
THIS COUNCIL BELIEVES:
1. The response of BURY MBC to this problem has been inadequate and far too slow. The interests of local residents have been viewed as a secondary consideration against the ongoing legal dispute between the Council and the owner of the Waterside site.
2. That prompt and effective action must be taken by Bury MBC to reassure Summerseat residents and all interested parties, that there will be no further delay and work to restore the Waterside Bridge will begin as a matter of urgency.
THIS COUNCIL RESOLVES:
1. To request the Interim Chief Executive and other relevant senior council officers attend a public meeting in Summerseat on Wednesday 19th July at 7pm to fully update local residents on what actions the Council are taking to resolve these issues.
2. To confirm that it is the intention of BURY MBC to reopen the Waterside Bridge to motor vehicular traffic and to restore the bridge in keeping with it's traditional design
3. That the Interim Chief Executive confirm what work BURY MBC has undertaken since December 2015 towards reopening the Waterside Bridge and to produce a full written plan of future works with approximate dates when they will be completed. To further confirm the date when it is estimated the Bridge will be fully reopened foe motor vehicular use.
4. That the Interim Chief Executive fully brief local residents at the aforementioned public meeting as to any negotiations Bury MBC have entered into with the owner of the Waterside site since December 2015 and the impact this is having on the Council's efforts to reopen the Waterside Bridge.
5. To recognise the need for Railway Street to be fully resurfaced at the earliest opportunity, due to it's continued deterioration as a result of increased vehicle usage and to include this within the Council's upcoming programme of works. To further resurface that part of Wood Road Lane for which the Council has responsibility to maintain.
6. To help the free flow of traffic on Bass Lane, by erecting signs that only 2 vehicles should proceed at one time at both ends of the road. This has previously proved highly successful.
7. Further to any action taken previously, that the Council Solicitor should immediately take all legal steps necessary, including the issue of court proceedings to ensure the owner removes all debris, hazardous materials and waste products from the Waterside site which currently are an unseemly blight on the whole area and have been in situ since December 2015.
In the names of Councillors I Bevan, R Caserta, J Daly, I Gartside, D Gunther, M Hankey, J Harris, R Hodkinson, K Hussain, G Keeley, O Kersh, S Nuttall, I Schofield, D Silbiger, R Walker, and Y Wright
(iii) Deposit Return System
Council notes:
1) that considerable efforts have been made both by this Council and others across Greater Manchester to tackle litter, to improve recycling, and to reduce waste, but that there is still significant room for improvement in these areas;
2) that the Scottish Government has recently consulted on the introduction of a deposit return system for single-use drinks containers;
3) that well-designed deposit return systems have achieved return rates of around 95% in places such as Norway, the Netherlands, and Michigan, and between 84% and 99% in Sweden;
4) that use of these systems is spreading around the world, with Lithuania's system started on 1st February 2016, and New South Wales set to join in July 2017;
5) that Local Government New South Wales supported deposit return, in part because it would reduce their recycling costs by 40%;
6) that a recent report commissioned by Zero Waste Scotland indicated that a deposit return system for Scotland could save local authorities £13m annually on litter and waste costs;
7) that the same report noted that additional work should be done to determine how a deposit return system could work most effectively in Scotland alongside the services provided by local authorities.
Council thus agrees:
1) to send a letter from the Council Leader to DEFRA supporting the principle of a deposit return system for Bury, and urging him to involve the GMWDA in the design of a system which works efficiently alongside local authority waste management services;
2) to work with the Combined Authority to support a well-designed deposit return system, prioritising a reduction in littering, improvements to recycling rates, ease of use for consumers and small businesses, reductions in the volume of household waste and waste collected from public bins, and the delivery of cost savings to local taxpayers.
In the names of Councillors P Adams, N Bayley, J Black, S Briggs, R Cathcart, M Connolly, A Cummings, E FitzGerald, J Grimshaw, S Haroon, T Holt, M James, D Jones, J Kelly, S Kerrison, K Leach, J Lewis, A Mckay, J Mallon, E O’Brien, C Preston, A Quinn, R Shori, A Simpson, R Skillen, S Smith, Sarah Southworth, Susan Southworth, T Tariq, J Walker, S Walmsley and M Whitby.
Minutes:
Three Notices of Motion had been received and set out in the Summons.
(i) Ending Homelessness
A motion had been received and set out in the summons in the names of:
Councillors M D’Albert; T Pickstone and S Wright
It was moved by Councillor Pickstone and seconded by Councillor D’Albert that :-
This Council notes:
1 The national scandal of homelessness, with official figures showing over 4,000 people sleeping rough and over 250,000 people in some form of homelessness.
2 That figures for sleeping rough have increased by nearly 50% in the last two years.
3 That Greater Manchester as a sub-region has a particular homelessness problem, with Manchester having the 4th highest rates of rough sleeping in the country.
Council is committed to:
4 ENDING homelessness, for example using the criteria supported by the homelessness charity Crisis:
· no one sleeping rough
· no one living in shelters, hostels or other emergency accommodation without a plan to move into suitable and settled housing within an agreed appropriate timescale
· no one homeless as a result of leaving the care system, prison or other state institution
· everyone at immediate risk of homelessness gets the help that prevents it happening.
Council therefore resolves:
1 Write to our two MPs, urging them to support action at a Government level, including:
- Adequately funding local government and local health services enable them to properly undertake their duties to tackle homelessness and causes of homelessness.
- Ensuring that the benefits system is contributing to stopping homelessness, not causing it
- Addressing issues in housing provision, including providing for longer and more stable private rental periods
2 Support tackling homelessness at a Greater Manchester level, including:
- Supporting the Homelessness Action Network created by the Greater Manchester Mayor
- Working together as ten boroughs, and using our devolved powers to collectively bring an end to homelessness as an urgent priority.
- Ensuring that a revised Greater Manchester Spatial Framework has appropriate and affordable housing as a core priority.
3 Ensure that Bury, and our Team Bury partners, are doing everything we can to contribute to ending homelessness by asking the Leader to bring a report to Cabinet outlining how our local services are working to secure and end homelessness in the Borough.
It was moved by Councillor Daly and seconded by Councillor Harris as an amendment to:-
Retain:
This Council notes:
1 The national scandal of homelessness, with official figures showing over 4,000 people sleeping rough and over 250,000 people in some form of homelessness.
2 That figures for sleeping rough have increased by nearly 50% in the last two years.
3 That Greater Manchester as a sub-region has a particular homelessness problem, with Manchester having the 4th highest rates of rough sleeping in the country.
Council is committed to:
4 ENDING homelessness, for example using the criteria supported by the homelessness charity Crisis:
· no one sleeping rough
· no one living in shelters, hostels or other emergency accommodation without a plan to move into suitable and settled housing within an agreed appropriate timescale
· no one homeless as a result of leaving the care system, prison or other state institution
· everyone at immediate risk of homelessness gets the help that prevents it happening.
Council therefore resolves:
1 Write to our two MPs, urging them to support action at a Government level, including:
Remove
- “Adequately funding local government and local health services enable them to properly undertake their duties to tackle homelessness and causes of homelessness
- Ensuring that the benefits system is contributing to stopping homelessness, not causing it
- Addressing issues in housing provision, including providing for longer and more stable private rental periods”
Replace with :
- Working on a cross party basis to ensure the Provisions of the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 and the extra duties it places on local authorities are reducing homelessness in all parts of our country.
- To support government policy that recognises homelessness is not just a housing issue and that for many people with complex needs, such as mental health needs, provides a real barrier to improving their life chances. To further support the strategic approach being taken by the government across health, communities and welfare as the best way to tackle homelessness.
- To support government policy that has protected and maintained funding for councils to provide homelessness prevention services at £315 million by 2020 and has invested £500 million since 2010, which has helped to prevent or relieve over one million cases of homelessness.
Retain:
2. Support tackling homelessness at a Greater Manchester level, including:
o Supporting the Homelessness Action Network created by the Greater Manchester Mayor
o Working together as ten boroughs, and using our devolved powers to collectively bring an end to homelessness as an urgent priority.
o Ensuring that a revised Greater Manchester Spatial Framework has appropriate and affordable housing as a core priority.
3. Ensure that Bury, and our Team Bury partners, are doing everything we can to contribute to ending homelessness by asking the Leader to bring a report to Cabinet outlining how our local services are working to secure and end homelessness in the Borough.
On being put, with 8 voting for and 30 voting against and 2 abstentions including the Mayor, the Mayor declared the amendment lost.
On being put, with 30 voting for, 0 voting against, and with 10 abstentions including the Mayor, the Mayor declared the motion carried.
(ii) Summerseat
A motion had been received and set out in the summons in the names of:
Councillors I Bevan, R Caserta, J Daly, I Gartside, D Gunther, M Hankey, J Harris, R Hodkinson, K Hussain, G Keeley, O Kersh, S Nuttall, I Schofield, D Silbiger, R Walker, and Y Wright
In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 14.7 and with the consent of the Chamber, Councillor Daly moved an alteration to the original motion as follows:
1. In December 2015 the iconic Waterside Building in Summerseat collapsed in to the River Irwell due to unprecedented flooding.
2. Since that date the Waterside Bridge has been closed to motor vehicular traffic.
3. Residents and business in Summerseat have suffered great inconvenience and disruption as a result of the aforementioned. Many feel their day-to-day existences have become intolerable due to the increased traffic flow on Rowlands Road and Railway Street, the appalling state of local roads and inconsiderate / speeding motorists.
THIS COUNCIL BELIEVES:
The response to this problem has been far too slow for local residents and prompt and effective action must be taken by Bury MBC to reassure Summerseat residents and all interested parties, that there will be no further delay and work to restore the Waterside Bridge will begin as a matter of urgency.
THIS COUNCIL RESOLVES:
1. To request the Interim Chief Executive and other relevant senior council officers attend a public meeting in Summerseat on Wednesday 19th July at 7pm to fully update local residents on what actions the Council are taking to resolve these issues.
2. To confirm that it is the intention of BURY MBC to reopen the Waterside Bridge to motor vehicular traffic and to restore the bridge in keeping with its traditional design
3. That the Interim Chief Executive confirm what work BURY MBC has undertaken since December 2015 towards reopening the Waterside Bridge and to produce a full written plan of future works with approximate dates when they will be completed. To further confirm the date when it is estimated the Bridge will be fully reopened foe motor vehicular use.
4. That the Interim Chief Executive fully brief local residents at the aforementioned public meeting as to any negotiations Bury MBC have entered into with the owner of the Waterside site since December 2015 and the impact this is having on the Council's efforts to reopen the Waterside Bridge.
5. To recognise the need for Railway Street to be fully resurfaced at the earliest opportunity, due to it's continued deterioration as a result of increased vehicle usage and to include this within the Council's upcoming programme of works. To give consideration to the resurfacing of that part of Wood Road Lane for which the Council has responsibility to maintain.
6. To help the free flow of traffic on Bass Lane, by erecting such signage as is legally permitted so that only 2 vehicles should proceed at one time at both ends of the road. This has previously proved highly successful.
7. Further to any action taken previously, that the Council Solicitor should immediately take all appropriate legal steps necessary, including the issue of court proceedings to ensure the owner removes all debris, hazardous materials and waste products from the Waterside site which currently are an unseemly blight on the whole area and have been in situ since December 2015.
On being put to the vote, with no one voting against and no abstentions, the Mayor declared the motion carried unanimously.
(iii) Deposit Return Scheme
A motion had been received and set out in the summons in the names of:
In the names of Councillors P Adams, N Bayley, J Black, S Briggs, R Cathcart, M Connolly, A Cummings, E FitzGerald, J Grimshaw, S Haroon, T Holt, M James, D Jones, J Kelly, S Kerrison, K Leach, J Lewis, A Mckay, J Mallon, E O’Brien, C Preston, A Quinn, R Shori, A Simpson, R Skillen, S Smith, Sarah Southworth, Susan Southworth, T Tariq, J Walker, S Walmsley and M Whitby.
Council notes:
1) that considerable efforts have been made both by this Council and others across Greater Manchester to tackle litter, to improve recycling, and to reduce waste, but that there is still significant room for improvement in these areas;
2) that the Scottish Government has recently consulted on the introduction of a deposit return system for single-use drinks containers;
3) that well-designed deposit return systems have achieved return rates of around 95% in places such as Norway, the Netherlands, and Michigan, and between 84% and 99% in Sweden;
4) that use of these systems is spreading around the world, with Lithuania's system started on 1st February 2016, and New South Wales set to join in July 2017;
5) that Local Government New South Wales supported deposit return, in part because it would reduce their recycling costs by 40%;
6) that a recent report commissioned by Zero Waste Scotland indicated that a deposit return system for Scotland could save local authorities £13m annually on litter and waste costs;
7) that the same report noted that additional work should be done to determine how a deposit return system could work most effectively in Scotland alongside the services provided by local authorities.
Council thus agrees:
1) to send a letter from the Council Leader to DEFRA supporting the principle of a deposit return system for Bury, and urging him to involve the GMWDA in the design of a system which works efficiently alongside local authority waste management services;
2) to work with the Combined Authority to support a well-designed deposit return system, prioritising a reduction in littering, improvements to recycling rates, ease of use for consumers and small businesses, reductions in the volume of household waste and waste collected from public bins, and the delivery of cost savings to local taxpayers.
On being put, with 30 voting for, 0 voting against, and with 13 abstentions including the Mayor, the Mayor declared the motion carried.