Bolton Council is scheduled to meet on 8 October 2025 to discuss a range of issues, including the approval of minutes and committee proceedings, changes to committee membership, and several motions concerning the Greater Manchester Pension Fund, support for victims in the justice system, MMR vaccine uptake, business rates relief for pubs, and local policing. Councillors will also consider the council's scheme of delegation and the waste levy allocation methodology agreement.

Greater Manchester Pension Fund Investments

Two motions address the Greater Manchester Pension Fund (GMPF) and its investment practices.

Councillor Richard Silvester, Executive Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Environment, is scheduled to present a motion reaffirming the council's 2019 call for the GMPF to freeze new investments in fossil fuel companies and divest from existing ones. The motion expresses disappointment that the GMPF allegedly did not co-operate with the Corporate and External Issues Scrutiny Committee's attempts to understand the GMPF's actions following the 2019 motion. The council is scheduled to ask that the Chief Executive writes to the GMPF, resubmitting questions about the fund's progress on divesting from fossil fuels.

Councillor Robert Morrisey is scheduled to propose a motion calling for greater ethical standards and transparency in the GMPF's investments, particularly regarding arms exports. The motion notes the GMPF's commitment to the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) and its existing precedent of avoiding investments in sectors like tobacco. It raises concerns about the fund's £24 million in arms investments, especially in light of a review into Israel's compliance with International Humanitarian Law (IHL).

The council is scheduled to resolve to:

• Call on the GMPF to demonstrate its commitment to the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) by applying consistent, high ethical standards to all its investments.
• Request that the GMPF undergoes a fully yearly PRI audit and makes the results public.
• Call on the Greater Manchester Pension Fund (GMPF), in consultation with its members, to investigate the feasibility of opening an optional, actively ethical investment fund.
• Specifically, ask the GMPF to develop and implement a clear plan for transparency regarding its investments in weapons companies and any company complicit in violations of international law.
• Request that the GMPF implements a robust and publicly available reporting mechanism to show progress on this transparency plan for investments in weapons companies.
• Call on the GMPF to submit a report that lists investments in companies who are associated with breaches of international law or human rights abuses, are part of the arms/weapons industry, or operate in territories subject to military occupation, legal disputes, or conflict zones.
• Lobby the Government to make export licensing for arms and munitions stricter.

Support for Victims in the Justice System

Councillor Susan Priest is scheduled to present a motion expressing concern about the length of time it takes for victims of sexual assault or rape to have their voices heard in the criminal justice system. The motion notes that it can take up to six years for a victim to give evidence in court, and that the process of repeatedly watching ABE (Achieve Best Evidence) videos can be re-traumatising.

The motion states that cases are being prioritised where the offender is remanded in custody, and gives an example of a case being adjourned for the fifth time, with the new hearing scheduled for October 2026. It also notes that victims are often prevented from having therapy, including EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), which helps victims to block memories.

The council is scheduled to resolve to write to local MPs and the Secretary of State for Justice to highlight the issue and push for reform of the justice system.

MMR Vaccine Uptake

A motion in the name of Councillor Schofield notes that there have been 119 confirmed cases of Measles in the North-West in 2025, with 59 of these in Greater Manchester. It acknowledges that Bolton Council's Public Health team and partners have secured extra funding to improve childhood MMR vaccination uptake, and that this has improved local vaccination uptake rates.

The council is scheduled to resolve to:

• Continue to promote the uptake of the MMR vaccine.
• Utilise community and social networks to promote uptake in areas where immunisation is lowest.
• Work with partners to understand and reduce barriers to uptake.

Business Rates Relief for Pubs

Councillor Dr John Walsh OBE Hon DUniv is scheduled to present a motion regarding the government's decision to reduce business rates relief for pubs within Bolton. The motion states that pubs in the borough of Bolton will face an extra £556,379 in taxes, with the average pub facing an increase of £3,499 each.

The council is scheduled to resolve to write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer requesting the reintroduction of the level of business rates relief introduced by the Conservatives to save pubs and jobs in Bolton as part of the Autumn Budget.

Police/Partners and Communities Together (PACT) Meetings

Councillor Amy Cowen is scheduled to present a motion concerning Police/Partners and Communities Together (PACT) meetings. The motion notes that changes to the model of PACTs by Greater Manchester Police (GMP) have seen their attendance by residents dwindle and their effectiveness diminish.

The council is scheduled to resolve to write to the Chief Superintendent of GMP Bolton, the Chief Constable of GMP, and the Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester, to request that PACT meetings revert to local ward-based meetings.

Waste Levy Allocation Methodology Agreement

Councillor Richard Silvester, Executive Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Environment, is scheduled to present a motion to approve the Waste Levy Allocation Methodology Agreement (LAMA), described as the new agreement between the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and district members.

Constitution

Councillor Nicholas Peel, Leader of the Council, is scheduled to present motions to approve the Council's Scheme of Delegation for 2025/2026 and the Powers and Duties of Committees.

Committee Proceedings

The council is scheduled to approve the proceedings of the Planning Committee and the Licensing and Environmental Regulation Committee. It is also scheduled to approve the proceedings of the Corporate and External Issues Scrutiny Committee.

Planning Applications

The Planning Committee considered various planning applications at its meeting on 11th September 2025. These included application 20428/25 for the erection of a SEND (special educational needs and disabilities) sixth form school including ancillary outbuildings, car and mini-bus parking, outdoor play area (MUGA) and supporting recreational/educational outdoor spaces and landscaping on land to rear of Jubilee Centre, Crompton Way. Also considered was application 20111/25 for the erection of proposed jet washing facilities and one plant room together with associated works at Morrisons Petrol Station, Lea Gate.

Corporate and External Issues Scrutiny Committee

The Corporate and External Issues Scrutiny Committee met on 4th September 2025. Mr D. Bale, Service Support Manager, gave a presentation which outlined the work which undertaken within the Customer Services Division. Mr P. Rimmer, Assistant Director of Revenues and Benefits and Customer Services gave a presentation which outlined the work which had been undertaken by the Council in relation to the Armed Forces. The presentation included discussion of the recent issue which had occurred at Constellation House and the current situation for those veterans who resided there.