URL: https://councildecisions.bury.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=4252

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose:

Content: The Cabinet Member for Adult Care, Health and Public Service Reform presented a report regarding the implementation of the GM Mayoral Live Well Programme in Bury and an opportunity to implement a Live Well Centre in Whitefield. In response to Member questions, it was noted that Whitefield had been chosen owing to the general lack of voluntary sector, town centre or leisure provision, as well as the level of inequality in the area and subsequent impact on life chances. With regards to cost, it was noted that GM Live Well transition funding of £676k would be split 50:50 with the VCSE, with the Council’s half funding the refurbishment and backlog of maintenance on the site. An additional £100,000 had been identified in the Council’s MTFS to address operational capacity and building management, which would ultimately be taken over by the voluntary sector groups working out of the building.   Decision:   Cabinet: 1.    Noted the principles of the GM Live Well programme and recognise the solid foundation for it to land in Bury given the work on integrated team working in 5 neighbourhoods and in strengths-based working and community capacity recognition; 2.    Supported in principle the deployment of the Ark building in Whitefield as the Live Well ‘flagship’ live well centre in the borough by March 2026 as the first phase of delivering the GM live well commitment of a live well centre in every neighbourhood by 2030; 3.    Noted that GM Live Well transition funding of £676k is to be split 50:50 with the VCSE and to approve the £338k transfer to Bury Voluntary and Community Faith Alliance (Bury VCFA) to convene the VCFSE component of the scheme including in the first instance increasing community capacity and resilience in order to for instance take on building operation; 4.    Agreed a call on the council component of the funding will be backlog maintenance and initial refurbishment to bring the building back into use; and 5.    Noted a potential requirement for the Council to underwrite building management function for up to 3 years, up to £100k per annum, until the community capacity is in a position to take on the operation of the building, based on evidence and assurance of financial viability.   Reasons for the decision: The recommendations would allow Bury to be fully compliant with the terms of the GMCA/NHS GM grant allocation to deliver an exemplar Live Well centre in the borough, as a first phase of the Live Well commitment to have a Live Well centre in every neighbourhood and would be a major manifestation of LET’S Do It! principles in Whitefield.   Alternative options considered and rejected: The alternative option considered was to use the Live Well funding to provide a broad level of support in each of the 5 neighbourhoods. This is rejected because it will not deliver a substantial Live Well centre as required by the terms of the grant. It is also noted that there are live programmes in each of the 4 other neighbourhoods that have potential to deliver a Live Well centre – for example in the Radcliffe hub and in the Prestwich development. There is a unique opportunity in Whitefield to bring a currently disused council building back to life.

Date of Decision: September 10, 2025