Decisions

Councillor Eamonn O’Brien, the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Finance and Growth, presented the report regarding the recent successful bids to the Government’s Levelling Up Fund and the benefit to Bury from the recent submission by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) to the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement. The report also set out next steps on implementation of the schemes funded from these sources. Members expressed their thanks to all involved, including MPs and officers.

Decision:

Cabinet:

1.   Noted the success of the Council’s bids for funding from the Government’s Levelling Up Fund for Radcliffe Civic Hub and Bury Market Flexi Hall, and the success of the GMCA’s bid to the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement;

2.   Noted the arrangements for delivery of the schemes funded from the Levelling Up Fund and City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement, as set out in this report; and

3.   Requested the Chief Executive to submit further reports to future meetings of Cabinet on:-

a)   The governance of the implementation of the Bury Flexi Hall.

b)   The implementation of a People and Community Plan to support the Radcliffe Strategic Regeneration Framework.

c)   The development of a transport strategy to underpin the implementation of schemes funded form the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement.

Reasons for the decision:

To ensure the Cabinet remains fully informed of implementation of

the schemes funded from these sources.

Other options considered and rejected:

N/A.

Councillor Clare Cummins, the Cabinet Member for Housing Services, presented the report regarding changes to the operational arrangements for Six Town Housing Limited’s meetings and its committees. Councillor Jones highlighted his interest as a board member for Six Town Housing.

Decision:

Cabinet:

1.   Approved the proposed changes; and

2.   Authorised the Council’s representative at the Annual General Meeting of STH, Councillor Cummins, to approve the ordinary resolutions proposed to change the operational arrangements for the Board and its Committees.

Reasons for the decision:

To ensure that the terms of reference of the STH Board and its Committees are updated to accord with corporate governance best practice.

Other options considered and rejected:

Do nothing.

It was noted that this item had been withdrawn from the agenda.

Councillor Eamonn O’Brien, the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Finance and Growth, presented the report providing an update on the key concepts that have been developed from the work on the masterplan for Bury Town Centre so far. It was noted that a draft of this masterplan would be submitted to Cabinet at its meeting in December 2021 where details of the consultation process will be set out for approval.

In response to Members’ questions it was noted that work to formalise governance arrangements was underway. This project, like others undertaken by the Council were ambitious and working with external partners helped officers to leverage their skills with outside expertise to ensure delivery to a high standard.

Decision:

Cabinet:

1.   Noted the emerging outputs from on-going work on the Bury Town Centre Masterplan and provided initial feedback at this stage; and

2.   Noted that the draft of the Bury Town Centre masterplan would be brought to Cabinet in December for comment and approval for the purposes of consultation.

Reasons for the decision:

To ensure that Cabinet are kept fully informed of the emerging outputs from what will be a key document to guide the future role, function and physical development and regeneration of Bury town centre and its peripheral areas over the next 15 to 20 years.

Other options considered and rejected:

None. It is important that Cabinet is fully informed of the emerging outputs from this critical area of work for the future of Bury Town Centre and surrounding areas.

Councillor Clare Cummins, the Cabinet Member for Housing Services, presented the report which sought approval for the disposal of two Council-owned Brownfield sites in Bury that had the potential to be redeveloped to deliver much needed housing and generate a significant capital receipt. These two sites had the potential to deliver 129 new homes between them, including 60 affordable homes with provision for 15 supported living apartments for people with learning disabilities and/or autism.

Decision:

Cabinet:

1.   Approved the disposal of land at Seedfield in Bury for low carbon family housing development in accordance with the terms included within Part B of this report;

2.   Approved the disposal of land at William Kemp Heaton Bury for affordable housing and assisted living accommodation development in accordance with the terms included in Part B of this report; and

3.   Delegated authority to approve 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 Council’s Brownfield first approach to housing delivery.

·         To accelerate the delivery of much needed homes with a range of affordable tenures and typologies to reflect the modern demands of housing as outlined in the Councils Housing Strategy.

·         To generate capital receipt upon the successful disposal of the sites.

·         To reduce revenue cost to the Council of holding, maintaining, and securing this long term cleared sites.

Other options considered and rejected:

·         Do nothing. Bury has high levels of housing demand and supply is required in the marketplace immediately. The Council has several sites it is actively marketing through external agents and these sites are taking 12-18 months to be disposed of. Additional time will be required for planning prior to commencement of works. The proposals in this report accelerate commencement to within 6 months. This is reflected within the overall Best Value assessment.

·         Market Seedfield. Hive Homes are delivering a policy compliant development and are proposing to transfer liability of the repayment of the £995,000 grant. The Best Value assessment reflects this special arrangement and supports direct engagement.

·         Market William Kemp Heaton. Great Places are delivering a bespoke intergenerational affordable scheme with specialist supported accommodation that would not be delivered within the current housebuilding marketplace.

·         The Council is also disposing of 50+ other sites through the Accelerated Land Disposal Programme. Capacity is limited and there is an acute housing need across the district. These disposals are oven ready, allowing resources to be spent unlocking other brownfield housing sites.

·         For these reasons these options were discounted.

Councillor Richard Gold, the Cabinet Member for Communities, presented the report regarding the new Greater Manchester Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise Accord (GM VCSE Accord), a tri-partite agreement between the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership and the Greater Manchester VCSE Leadership Group on behalf of the VCSE sector in the region, which works to develop collaborative working with VCSE organisations to improve outcomes for local communities.

In response to Members’ questions it was noted that a lot of community groups were already involved but participation in listening events had varied, with some very poorly attended. Adjustments were being made to facilitate better engagement, such as changing the time or day of events, and Councillor Gold welcomed any feedback from Members into how their local residents could be best reached.

Decision:

Cabinet confirmed Bury’s commitment to the Accord and champion through the Team Bury Network.

Reasons for the decision:

The Accord was signed by the Mayor of Greater Manchester and a recommendation was made for the Accord to be referred for recommendation to each local authority in the region in recognition that a number of elements within the Accord are to be delivered within localities, including by local authorities.

Other options considered and rejected:

None.

Councillor Tahir Rafiq, the Cabinet Member for Corporate Affairs and HR, presented the report detailing the background and process followed for the retendering of the shared contract regarding agency staff. It was noted that there was no minimum level of spend and no obligations of exclusivity.

Decision:

Cabinet:

1.   Approved the continuation of the Council’s participation in the GM Collaborative Agency Contract; and

2.   Noted the contractual arrangements and give approval to proceed with the signing of the Beneficiary Agreement.

Reasons for the decision:

To ensure the Council has appropriate contractual arrangements in place to secure the right calibre of resources at pace and at the best possible value.

Other options considered and rejected:

None.

Councillor Tahir Rafiq, the Cabinet Member for Corporate Affairs and HR, presented the report which provided a summary of key delivery and performance that occurred during quarter two 2021-22 aligned to the 3R priorities, and highlighted intelligence on waiting times for referral to treatment for consultant led services.

In response to Members’ questions regarding how the Let’s Do It strategy was understood by all Council staff, it was noted that staff briefings were going well. Early consultations demonstrated a low understanding, but this was being improved over time with engagement on how this strategy applied to Council services and regeneration projects. Staff and partners had helped write and develop the strategy, and the next stage was organisational development.

Decision:

Cabinet:

1.   Noted the performance and delivery against the 3R priorities and the 2021/22 Corporate Plan delivery objectives;

2.   Noted the spotlight on our intelligence on waiting times for referral to treatment for consultant led services; and

3.   Noted the ongoing developments to strengthen and improve this reporting process and functionality.

Reasons for the decision:

To measure and acknowledge progress towards the 2021/22 Corporate Plan delivery objectives.

Other options considered and rejected:

N/A.

Councillor Tamoor Tariq left the room at 18:33

Councillor Eamonn O’Brien, the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Finance and Growth, presented the report outlining the forecast financial position of the Council at the end of 2021/22 based on the information known at the end of the second quarter, 30th September 2021, and providing the mid-year Treasury Management Update. The report outlined the write off of bad debt, set out the position for both revenue and capital, and provided an analysis of the variances, both under and overspending.

In response to Members’ questions it was noted that investment into senior management was vital as identified through the LGA Peer Review to ensure the Council had the right vision and strategy for the borough and could bring staff along to improve services. The biggest risk was not finding the savings identified, and it was agreed that a strong focus was now on delivery, as aspects of the transformation plan not realising savings until the next financial year. Mitigations were being identified and brought forward as early as possible, for instance the empty properties report earlier in the agenda.

In terms of barriers to transformational change, it was noted that the organisation was very complex and wide-ranging, and some enablers of change were easier to fix than others. Cultural change, for example, took longer than IT improvements or management change. In response to Member’s question regarding capital spending, it was noted that these works were slow to begin with, with specifications, design, and planning applications needed before delivery. Some funding was time sensitive and these projects were prioritised, though it was noted that some timescales were unrealistic (i.e. decarbonisation projects, where an extension had been secured).

Councillor Nick Jones requested that detail on how the BGI directorate was meeting its stretch targets be sent outside the meeting and voiced the Conservative Group’s support for the Transformation Strategy. It was noted that full update would be brought to the next Cabinet meeting.

Decision:

Cabinet:

1.   Noted the forecast overspend of £2.634m within the revenue budgets at quarter 2 and the need for Directorates to work with their finance support to identify mitigating actions to ensure services work within their budgets;

2.   Noted the use of the Covid Outbreak Management Fund and departmental reserves in line with the criteria and one off departmental priorities;

3.   Noted the position on the Dedicated Schools Grant, Collection Fund and the Housing Revenue Account;

4.   Approved the write off of outstanding debts owed by the former Bury PCT totalling £247,004.57;

5.   Approved the adjustments to the capital programme for new capital grants; and

6.   Noted the Treasury Management Mid-Year Report.

Reasons for the decision:

To ensure the Council’s budgetary targets are achieved.

Other options considered and rejected:

This report is in accordance with the council’s financial procedure regulations.

Councillor Eamonn O’Brien, the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Finance and Growth, presented the report seeking approval to consult on a proposal to remove the Council Tax discount given to empty properties and the second homes discount with effect from 1 April 2022.

Members discussed the report, noting that home buyers were not being discouraged or penalised, but the Council had to prioritise where it spent budgets and, although flexibility would be retained, it couldn’t necessarily offer this discount in the same way. It was noted that a higher tax rate was charged for long-term absences and this was not proposed to change.

In response to Members’ questions it was noted that the consultation would be targeted to those who would be affected most, including letters to homes receiving the discount and an article in the VCFA newsletter to engage groups offering support to vulnerable people.

Decision:

Cabinet:

1.   Agreed that a public consultation commences on 22nd November 2021 to 3rd January 2022 to seek the views of the public on this proposal; and

2.   Noted that the outcome to this consultation would be reported to Cabinet in January 2022.

Reasons for the decision:

In April 2013, Government gave local authorities power to determine the level of empty property discounts in dwelling classes B, C and D (Section 12 of the Local Government Finance Act 2012).

Other options considered and rejected:

The Empty Property Council Tax Discount Scheme could remain at 100% for the 1st Month, 25% for months 2-6. Properties undergoing major refurbishment could continue to attract a discount of 50% on its council tax for a period of 1 year.

Councillor Eamonn O’Brien, the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Finance and Growth, presented the report which outlined the rationale for intervention and the exploration of a Joint Venture with Bruntwood to deliver the proposed project and sought the first stage approval for the acquisition of the Millgate estate. Members noted their cross-party support for regeneration in the Town Centre and the ambition to keep up with neighbouring boroughs and ensure a modern town centre suitable for the needs of local residents.

Decision:

Cabinet:

1.   Approved in principle the acquisition of the Millgate Estate in accordance with the commercial terms included within Part B of this report, to facilitate a multifaceted regeneration programme that has the potential to transform Bury Town Centre;

2.   Approved that the Council establishes the terms and structure for a joint venture delivery vehicle with Bruntwood;

3.   Delegated to the S151 officer in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance and the Chief Executive a budget to complete the appropriate due diligence on condition, title, tenure, and the Joint Venture arrangements;

4.   Noted that Cabinet will receive a report seeking final approval to purchase the Millgate estate in January 2022 following the completion of the due diligence work and establishment of legal and financial models; and

5.   Approved the acquisition of 6-10 Princess Parade Bury in accordance with the terms as set out in Part B of this report, agree to delegate the finalised terms of the agreement to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance, S151 Officer and Monitoring Officer.

Reasons for the decision:

·         To unlock an opportunity to future-proof Bury Town Centre;

·         To facilitate the delivery of new opportunities for employment, hundreds of new affordable homes and in doing so instilling economic resilience to the town centre.

·         To avoid the shopping centre being disposed by the Bank to an ‘income-investor’ who would likely extract surpluses from the Centre for personal profit instead of re-investing in the Estate, overseeing a decline of the Centre and increasing the later costs and need for public sector intervention.

·         Bury town centre masterplan identifies further development opportunities to the South of Angloume Way and further into the areas of Bury East ward, acquisition of the Millgate facilitates physical reconnection and attract investment that will have an impact on the surrounding communities.

Other options considered and rejected:

·         Given the long-term trend of decline within the retail sector, if the Shopping Centre were to be purchased by a third party they may not be motivated to reinvest income to maintain the centre to a high standard. This may contribute to the condition of the centre declining.

·         Working with the vendor was originally an option, assisting in their search for a development or investment partner however the vendors disposal timeframe expectation would not allow for this. For these reasons this was discounted.

Councillor Alan Quinn, the Cabinet Member for Environment, Climate Change and Operations, presented the report which provided an update on the Highway Investment Strategy Tranche 2 initiatives. In response to Members’ questions it was noted that a timeline could be provided outside the meeting.

Decision:

Cabinet:

1.   Noted the report; and

2.   Noted that future updates would be included within the regular corporate performance reports.

Reasons for the decision:

The previous report to Cabinet in July 2020 referred to quarterly updates reports to Cabinet. These have proved unnecessary due to the suspension of works during covid. It is recommended that updates be provided when required through existing performance reports.

Other options considered and rejected:

N/A.