The Council is scheduled to consider several key recommendations from its committees, including proposed changes to financial procedures and the implementation of a new national scheme for planning decisions. Members will also receive updates on the work of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and Transport for Greater Manchester, alongside several notices of motion addressing local issues.

Housing Advisory Board Terms of Reference

The Council is scheduled to consider proposed amendments to the Terms of Reference for the Housing Advisory Board. These changes, put forward by Sian Grant, Director of Housing, aim to strengthen the board's purpose and clarify its role and functions. The proposed revisions include an overhaul of the board's objectives to make them more robust, detailing its areas of responsibility and how it will operate. Specific changes involve removing references to the Tenant Voice Forum to allow for broader tenant representation, ensuring no more than one tenant member is a leaseholder, and adding further detail regarding the recruitment process and meeting arrangements. The Housing Advisory Board's meeting dates for 2026/27 are also scheduled for noting.

Financial Procedure Rules and Scheme of Delegation

The Audit Committee's recommendations regarding the amended Financial Procedure Rules and Scheme of Delegation are to be considered. These updated rules, presented by the S.151 Officer, are a result of Bury's Finance Transformation Programme, which aims to improve efficiency and financial management. Key changes include a revised approach to purchasing goods and services, with a new supplier catalogue and stricter controls on expenditure. The rules also reinforce the segregation of duties in financial transactions, limit in-year budget virements, and ensure that approvals are linked to the organisation's hierarchy. The proposed documents are intended to support budget holder training across the Council.

The National Scheme of Delegation for Planning Decision Making

A report from the Head of Development Management outlines the implementation of the Town and Country Planning (Discharge of Local Planning Authority Functions) (England) Regulations 2026, which come into force on 31 October 2026. These regulations introduce a National Scheme of Delegation that all relevant local planning authorities in England must follow. This means that certain planning functions, previously decided by committees, will now be determined by officers. The Council will need to update its Constitution, Planning Scheme of Delegation, and associated Planning Control Committee procedures to comply with these new regulations. The formal decision to amend the Constitution will be made by Full Council.

Leader's Statement and Cabinet Question Time

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Eamonn O'Brien, is scheduled to provide a report on the work of the Cabinet. Following this, there will be an opportunity for members to ask written and verbal questions to the Leader and Cabinet Members on matters within the Council's powers and duties affecting the Borough.

Combined Authority Report and Questions

An update report on the activities of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) will be presented. This will be followed by a session where members of the Council can ask questions regarding the work of the Combined Authority and its representatives. The report highlights upcoming key decisions for the GMCA, including those related to the Green City Region, Transport, Resources and Investment, Housing First, Economy, Innovation, Culture & International, Technical Education & Skills, Safer and Stronger Communities, Digitally Connected Places and People, Everyday Support in Every Neighbourhood, and Equalities and Communities. Updates are also provided on the Recycle for Greater Manchester campaign, Transport for Greater Manchester's Bee Network developments, and the Bury Interchange Redevelopment.

Notices of Motion

Several notices of motion are scheduled for consideration:

• Treatment and reducing the significant spread of giant hogweed: This motion, proposed by Councillors Carol Birchmore, Ken Simpson, Mary Walsh, Des Duncalfe, Judi Sheppard, and Mike Smith, calls for regular surveys of council-owned land, safe removal of the plant by trained professionals, partnership working with neighbouring authorities and private landowners, a public awareness campaign, and an easy-to-use reporting system for new infestations.
• Building a Care System That Works: Bury Council and the National Conversation on Care: Proposed by Councillors A Arif, N Bayley, C Boles, A Chaudhry, U Farooq, E FitzGerald, R Gold, D Green, S Haroon, M Hayes, J Hook, C Hunt, B Ibrahim, G McGill, C Morris, E O'Brien, T Pilkington, A Quinn, D Quinn, T Rafiq, M Rahimov, I Rizvi, M Rubinstein, L Ryder, L Smith, J A Southworth, J Southworth, G Staples-Jones, T Tariq, S Thorpe, and S Walmsley, this motion welcomes the cross-party approach to fixing the social care system and supports the Big Conversation on Care initiative. It resolves to promote the conversation locally, offer support to the Independent Commission on Adult Social Care, continue constructive cross-party working, and ask the Leader to report back on the outcomes of local engagement and the Commission's findings.
• Protecting Bury's Hospitality Sector – Opposing the Greater Manchester Overnight Visitor Levy: In the names of Councillors S Arif, I Gartside, and K Hussain, this motion formally opposes the introduction of an Overnight Visitor Levy affecting businesses within Bury. It calls on the Mayor of Greater Manchester not to introduce such a levy without a full economic impact assessment, requests meaningful engagement with local businesses and residents, and calls for a comprehensive Bury-specific economic impact assessment. The motion also proposes establishing a working group to identify pro-growth initiatives and calls for a fair and proportionate share of any revenue raised from accommodation within Bury to be retained and reinvested locally.
• Zero Tolerance on Dodgy Shops: Proposed by Councillors A Arif, N Bayley, C Boles, A Chaudhry, U Farooq, E FitzGerald, R Gold, D Green, S Haroon, M Hayes, J Hook, C Hunt, B Ibrahim, G McGill, C Morris, E O'Brien, T Pilkington, A Quinn, D Quinn, T Rafiq, M Rahimov, I Rizvi, M Rubinstein, L Ryder, L Smith, J A Southworth, J Southworth, G Staples-Jones, T Tariq, S Thorpe, and S Walmsley, this motion calls for a Zero Tolerance approach to illicit trading. It resolves to continue working with partner agencies to identify and act against businesses engaged in unlawful activity, convene a borough-wide summit to develop a coordinated strategy, adopt and publish the zero tolerance approach, and request a briefing for all members on the issue.
• Endometriosis Friendly Employer Status: Proposed by Councillors Carol Birchmore, Des Duncalfe, Judi Sheppard, Ken Simpson, Mike Smith, and Mary Walsh, this motion resolves for the Council to formally apply to become an Endometriosis Friendly Employer, commit to meeting the required standards, and publicise this status once achieved.
• Castle Armoury: In the names of Councillors P Davies, D Hill, G Martin, J Roith, J Rydeheard, and S Zaman, this motion reaffirms the Council's commitment to Bury's cultural assets and military history. It requests that Group Leaders write to the Bury and Heywood Drill Halls Trust to demand that Bury Castle Armoury is taken off the market and that Trustees present options for its reopening. It also requests joint letters to Bury's MPs seeking support for repair and reopening funding and for the implementation of the motion's resolutions.

Reporting of Urgent Decision

A report regarding multiple posts for Best Start Family Hub guidance, approved as an urgent decision in August 2026, will be noted. This decision involved approving the establishment of 15.6 FTE fixed-term posts funded by the Department for Education's Best Start Family Hub Development Grant.