Decisions

Councillor Eamonn O’Brien, the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Finance and Growth, presented the report which sought approval for the Council to engage in negotiations with the Bury Football Supporters Society in relation to a proposed financial contribution in the Gigg Lane Stadium site. Councillor O’Brien and all those present thanked supporters and community groups for their work, as well as James Daly MP for Bury North, local Councillors, and Council officers.

Members discussed the report, praising the work and response from the people of Bury, and confirmed their cross-party support for the proposal. It was noted that this was just the beginning, with more work required to ensure the stadium was safe and suitable and ongoing conversations to ensure a one-club, fan-owned club with a successful governance system.

Decision:

Cabinet:

1.   Agreed in principle to work with the Bury Football Supporters Society to explore how the Council can provide financial assistance to bring football back to Gigg Lane; and

2.   Agreed that a further report be submitted to a future meeting of Cabinet seeking approval to any funding proposals.

Reasons for the decision:

Gigg Lane is an important community asset, and the Council has been asked to help with the process of re-commissioning and re- developing the facility.

The proposals to re-commission Gigg Lane as a football venue are complex and the plans involve a considerable amount of risk and challenge. Given the community benefits associated with the project it is right that the Local Authority play a proactive role in working with the various stakeholders.

Other options considered and rejected:

The alternative option is for the Council to not offer support however a solution must be found for the future of the Gigg Lane site, as it currently sits an abandoned building in the middle of a residential neighbourhood.

Councillor Tamoor Tariq, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Skills, presented the report which informed Cabinet of the findings of an Ofsted inspection of the Council’s children’s services. The inspection found the services to be inadequate. The report explained the form of intervention by the Secretary of State for Education and the action already taken to implement improvements. The report also sought approval to the framework for an Improvement Plan which the Council will submit to the Department for Education by 31st March 2022.

Members discussed the report thoroughly, noting the less severe interventions recommended for Bury, being a DfE advisor rather than commissioner. The advisor would work with the Council to develop the improvement plan and feedback regularly to DfE on progress made.

In response to Members’ questions it was noted that pressures had been known internally for some time with work underway before the inspection to address problems. This work was recognised in the Ofsted inspection and means the Council was in a better position to progress and implement changes. Members debated the briefings given to Opposition Members, but it was stated that these problems should be above party politics. With regards to scrutiny, this had been encouraged and a dedicated Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee set up to recognise this.

Councillor Tariq advised that, as Cabinet Member, he had been raising concerns for a long time and had been taking actions to improve the situation, and it was noted this was a managerial failure not a political one. Councillor Tariq advised that it was the responsibility of the Council as a whole to fix these problems, and he was confident we would do.

Decision:

Cabinet:

1.   Noted the Ofsted report following the inspection of the Council’s children’s services; and

2.   Approved the framework for the Improvement Plan attached at Appendix 2.

Reasons for the decision:

To take swift and decisive action to address the areas for improvement identified by Ofsted.

Other options considered and rejected:

None.

Councillor Eamonn O’Brien, the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Finance and Growth, presented the report regarding the consultation on the proposal to remove the Council Tax discount applied to empty properties and second homes. Members discussed the report, noting the majority of responses had been against the proposal but this had to be weighed against the financial context of the Council. With regards to alternative savings, it was noted that the property portfolio brought in revenue funds and that one off savings was not a sustainable way to address revenue pressures.

Decision:

Cabinet:

1.   Considered the outcomes of the consultation exercise attached at Appendix 2; and

2.   Agreed to the removal of the discretionary Council Tax discount for empty properties and second homes with effect from 1 April 2022.

Reasons for the decision:

Bury Council, like other local authorities, has seen an increase in demand on public services with reduced funding levels. A number of savings will be proposed to enable it to balance its budget. Some of the savings will affect front line services and may reduce service provision and other savings, like this proposal, have no impact on the levels of service the Council currently provides.

The Council has a strategy of bringing long-term empty homes back into use at the earliest opportunity. The return of long-term empty homes back into the community will not provide the complete solution for the demand for homes within the area, but it will play a part in its solution reducing pressure on the existing housing stock. A new level of charges should help encourage the reintroduction of long-term empty properties. Empty homes have a detrimental impact on surrounding areas and can lead to anti-social behaviour in the vicinity of empty properties.

The proposal affects a small proportion of Bury’s population for a period of time but can deliver significant income for the Council. Other neighbouring authorities in the Greater Manchester area no longer provide discounts on empty properties or second homes and haven’t done for some time.

The policy will reduce the number of empty properties in the Borough and support the Council in achieving a balanced budget for 2022/2023. Recognising that this will protect savings from having to be made from front line services.

Other options considered and rejected:

The Cabinet could choose to make no change to the council tax discounts for empty properties; however, alternative proposals would be required to support the production of a balanced budget, which is a legal requirement.

Councillor Eamonn O’Brien, the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Finance and Growth, presented the report which proposed governance arrangements for the implementation of projects planned for Bury town centre, including the Bury Market Flexi Hall. In response to Members’ questions it was noted that a report on the establishment of the Regeneration Programme Board and the Programme Management Office would be brought to Cabinet before the end of the municipal year.

Decision:

Cabinet:

1.   Approved the creation of a Bury Town Centre Advisory Panel with the terms of reference set out in section 2 of the report; and

2.   Approved the arrangements for governance of the implementation of the Bury Flexi Hall, as set out in section 3 of the report.

Reasons for the decision:

The full range of developments currently being planned for Bury town centre will have a significant impact on the economic, environmental and social development of the Borough as a whole. The outcomes that can be achieved will play a key role in delivering the Let’s Do It strategy. The proposals for their governance set out in this report are designed to bring long term coherence and an inclusive approach to leadership.

Other options considered and rejected:

None.

Councillor Clare Cummins, Cabinet Member for Housing Services, presented the report which sought approval for the disposal of Council-owned brownfield land in Bury, which had the potential to provide much needed supported housing for young adults with a physical and/or sensory disability or learning disability. Full financial details were contained in Part B of this report. Members voiced their support for this scheme and the support it provided for those with disabilities. It was noted that the housing would be built to the latest low carbon and eco-friendly standards and, in response to a Member’s question, Councillor Cummins undertook to report back outside the meeting as to whether provision for electric car parking was included. It was also noted that this site would also be subject to a planning application.

Decision:

Cabinet:

1.   Approved the disposal of this site for supported living in accordance with the terms included within Part B of this report; and

2.   Delegated the finalised terms of the agreement to the Director of Economic Regeneration and Capital Growth in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance, the Cabinet Member for Housing Services, S151 Officer and Monitoring Officer.

Reasons for the decision:

To facilitate the Councils Brownfield first approach to housing delivery, to accelerate the delivery of specialist accommodation to help meet the requirements of young adults with additional support needs, and to reduce revenue cost to the Council for holding, maintaining, and securing long-term derelict sites.

Other options considered and rejected:

Do nothing: Bury has high levels of housing need for specialist accommodation and supply is required in the marketplace immediately.

Market the site: Irwell Valley are proposing to deliver a bespoke supported housing scheme which would not be delivered in the current housebuilding marketplace.

The Council is currently disposing of 50+ additional sites through the Accelerated Land Disposal Programme. Capacity is limited and there is an acute shortage of specialist accommodation in the Borough. This disposal is ‘oven ready’, allowing resources to be spent unlocking other brownfield housing sites.