To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Council held on 25 May 2016 for signature by the Mayor as Chairman.

That the Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Council held on 25 May 2016, be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive any announcements from the Mayor, Leader of the Council, Members of the Executive, Chairmen of Scrutiny Committees and the Head of Paid Service.

(a)        Tributes

With regret, the Mayor referred to the tragic death of Jo Cox, MP after being attacked in her West Yorkshire constituency the previous month. The Mayor also expressed sadness over the recent terrorist incidents around the world. The Council stood for a moments silence to formally pay it respects to Mrs. Cox and the victims of violent attacks.

(b)        Her Majesty the Queen’s Birthday Honours

The Council joined the Mayor in congratulating Mrs. Jacqueline Anne Granger Brown of Altrincham, Chair of Altrincham Fundraising Committee for the Children’s Society, who was awarded the citation of Medallist of the Order of the British Empire for services to Children.

(c)        Awards

The Mayor was pleased to announce that the Council had been highly commended in the Local Authority of the Year and Senior Leadership Team categories at the Municipal Journal Awards on 16 June 2016.

On the same night at another awards ceremony, Trafford Council was also announced joint winner of the NHS Health Education England Learning Together in Health and Social Care Projects Award for its innovative integrated working project called i-Care. The award recognised the bold and ambitious journey the authority had taken to re-shape itself and change the way its people work, including how it operated with key partners from the NHS and other agencies.

(d)        Her Majesty the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service

The Mayor also congratulated the Loose Change Buskers from Altrincham who were amongst the recipients of a Queens Award for Voluntary Service having raised a large amount of money for cancer charities by busking. The Mayor hoped Members and officers would get to hear them play as she had invited them to perform in the Crush Hall before the next Council meeting.

(e)        Single Hospital Service

Councillor Williams, Executive Member for Adult Social Services and Community Wellbeing provided the Council with an update on the Single Hospital Service Review and the report of Sir Jonathan Michael, Independent Review Director considered by the Health and Wellbeing Board on 16 July 2016 which had concluded that a single hospital in the City of Manchester should be pursued.

The proposal would mean enormous organisational change, one of the largest of its kind within the NHS, with the creation of a new single NHS Trust that would take responsibility for the services and assets currently provided by Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, the University Hospital of South Manchester NHS Foundation Trust and the Pennine Acute Trust from North Manchester General Hospital.

Throughout the review, the Council had fully engaged and provided direct input, with the Trafford Health and Wellbeing Board and Health Scrutiny Committee being updated on developments. As things move forward, the Leader of the Council and Executive Member have offered Council support to the hospital trusts and the Executive Member would undertake to provide updates to Members and partners on developments.

(f)         Health Scrutiny Committee Update

Councillor Harding, Chairman of Health Scrutiny Committee advised the Council that following its first meeting of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.

This is an opportunity for Members of Council to ask the Mayor, Members of the Executive or the Chairman of any Committee or Sub-Committee a question on notice under Procedure Rule 10.2.

The Mayor reported that 6 questions had been received under Procedure Rule 10.2.

(a)        Councillor Bennett asked the following question for which she had given notice:

“Can the Executive Member please explain the extremely poor performance of the Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) section within the Children, Families and Wellbeing Directorate. This is evidenced by the fact that, by the Statutory deadline of 15 February 2016, only 30% of Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) for children transitioning from primary to secondary school had been completed (this equates to 32 out of 107 children).

For teenagers transitioning to Adult Services and further education from Children’s Services in September 2016 and who require an EHCP, none had been completed by the Statutory deadline of 31 March (0 out of 144). Can the Executive Member explain why this has happened, particularly when the Council prides itself on being a Champion Pathfinder Council for the Children and Families Act 2014?”

Councillor Hyman, Executive Member for Children’s Services acknowledged that the question raised an important matter and provided a full response covering all the significant points.

Although it was disappointing that not all year 6 pupils had their plans completed by the statutory deadline it was by no means just a Trafford issue.  The Department for Education (DfE) was made aware of the delays in issuing final ECH Plans and as a result of their guidance a letter was sent to parents and guardians of Year 6 pupils stating the special school or mainstream secondary school that Trafford was proposing to name in the EHC Plan to help parents plan for their child’s transfer to secondary school.

In addition to the Year 6 and Year 11 transfers the Team also had to undertake, for the first time, Year 2 EHC assessments and plans for pupils leaving an infant school at key stage 1 to go to a junior school.  Also for the first time Year 9 pupils were transferred from statements to ECH Plans. The volume of new work, however, was not the only reason for delays.

The EHC assessment and transfer process was still in the implementation stage and as such processes were continually being refined as a result of feedback from parents and DfE guidance.  As a result of the changes and the imperative to involve children and their families in the co-production of Plans the EHC Co-ordinator role had changed significantly. The EHC Team experienced a shortage of experienced staff and carried several vacancies during the spring term which was a critical time for meeting the statutory deadlines.

The issues and potential impact were identified and a series of measures were implemented to improve performance through the appointment of a new EHC Manager who started on 1st April.  All the vacant posts had now been filled and there would be a full staff team from September 2016.

The Local Area SEND Board, accountable to Trafford’s Health and Wellbeing Board, had been established to provide strategic direction and leadership for monitoring  ...  view the full minutes text for item 18.

To note that Councillor M. Young has replaced Councillor Myers on AGMA/GMCA Audit Committee to comply with the criteria for membership that Members are either a GMCA substitute or a member of the Scrutiny Pool.

RESOLVED: That the Council notes that Councillor M. Young has replaced Councillor Myers on the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities / Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) Audit Committee, to comply with the criteria for membership that Members are either a GMCA substitute or a member of its Scrutiny Pool.

To consider a report of the Interim Corporate Director Children, Families and Wellbeing.

The Interim Corporate Director, Children, Families and Wellbeing submitted a report providing an update on revised 2016/17 municipal year governance arrangements for the Health and Wellbeing Board.

With regard to the Voluntary and Third Sector Representative, Councillor Harding asked if the Council could look at a process to ensure that information regarding the appointment and in general, was cascaded across the sector. In response, Councillor Williams noted the concern and agreed that the matter should be explored.

RESOLVED: That the revised governance arrangements outlined in the report, for the municipal year 2016/17, be approved.

To consider a report of the Chief Executive.

The Chief Executive submitted a report presenting the recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel that had been convened in accordance with the Local Authorities (Members’ Allowances) (England) Regulations 2003. The Panel had been requested to consider the remuneration for the new Deputy Executive Member roles which were established at the Annual Meeting on the 25 May 2016.

It was moved and seconded that the recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel be approved.

The Motion was put to the vote and declared carried.

RESOLVED –

(1)        That the recommendations of the Panel, as set out below, be approved:

                 i.            That the Scheme of Members’ Allowances for Trafford Council be amended to include a Special Responsibility Allowance of £6,491.50 for Deputy Executive Members and £1,297.50 for Shadow Deputy Executive Members.

               ii.            That the allowances be backdated to the date of appointment of 25 May 2016.

              iii.            That allowances for the Lead Member and Shadow Lead Member roles be deleted from the scheme.

(2)        That the Director of Legal and Democratic Services be authorised to revise Part 6 of the Constitution: Members Allowances Scheme, as a consequence of this decision.

To note a joint report of the Executive Member for Finance and the Chief Finance Officer, referred to the Council by the Executive on 20 June 2016 and the Accounts and Audit Committee on 28 June 2016.

The Executive Member for Finance and the Chief Finance Officer submitted a joint report reviewing treasury activities for the past financial year, in accordance with the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) Code of Practice, as adopted by the Council.

The report had also been considered by the Executive on 20 June 2016 and the Accounts and Audit Committee on 28 June 2016.

RESOLVED: That the Council notes:

(i)          the Treasury Management activities undertaken in 2015/16;

(ii)         that no prudential limits were breached during 2015/16; and

(iii)    that there was full compliance with both the CIPFA Code of Practice on Treasury Management and CIPFA Prudential Code for Capital Finance.

To consider a report of the Executive Member for Transformation and Resources.

The Executive Member for Transformation and Resources submitted a report providing information on council wide health and safety performance and trends in workplace accidents. The report also provided a summary of other key developments in health and safety for the period 1 April 2015 to 31 March 2016.

With regard to information on incidents involving the Council’s partner Amey, the Executive Member indicated that she would provide Councillor Adshead with details on any specific queries he had.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

To consider the following Motion deferred from the Council meeting held on 23 March 2016:

This Council believes that it is crucially important that all the residents of Trafford play a full part in the democracy of Local Government and the decision making process.

Council further notes that in many other Local Authorities across the country, such as Cheshire East, the active participation of residents is encouraged by allowing them to speak at full Council and other designated meetings.

It is therefore proposed that this right is extended to Trafford citizens, based on certain agreed principles and conditions. These are broadly based on the Cheshire East model, which enables members of the public to make statements and ask questions at Council meetings, excluding Planning, Licencing and Scrutiny.

Under these guidelines:

·        A total period of 15 minutes is allocated for members of the public to speak at Council meetings.

·        A total period of 10 minutes will be allocated for members of the public to speak at meetings of the Executive, committees and sub-committees.

·        Members of the public may speak on any matter relating to the work of the Council.

·        Members of the public will normally be allowed up to 5 minutes each to speak, but the Mayor or Chair will decide how the period of time allocated for public speaking will be apportioned where there are a number of speakers.

·        Where a member of the public wishes to ask a question of an Executive member, or of the Chair of a committee or sub-committee, at least 3 clear working days’ notice must be given in writing to Democratic Services, in order that an informed answer may be given.

Council are therefore asked to agree these broad proposals, and ask Officers to set up procedures in the near future for the implementation of this initiative, which will encourage active public participation.

Further to Minute No. 83 of the meeting held on 23 March 2016, it was moved and seconded that:

“This Council believes that it is crucially important that all the residents of Trafford play a full part in the democracy of Local Government and the decision making process.

Council further notes that in many other Local Authorities across the country, such as Cheshire East, the active participation of residents is encouraged by allowing them to speak at full Council and other designated meetings.

It is therefore proposed that this right is extended to Trafford citizens, based on certain agreed principles and conditions. These are broadly based on the Cheshire East model, which enables members of the public to make statements and ask questions at Council meetings, excluding Planning, Licencing and Scrutiny.

Under these guidelines:

·              A total period of 15 minutes is allocated for members of the public to speak at Council meetings.

·              A total period of 10 minutes will be allocated for members of the public to speak at meetings of the Executive, committees and sub-committees.

·              Members of the public may speak on any matter relating to the work of the Council.

·              Members of the public will normally be allowed up to 5 minutes each to speak, but the Mayor or Chair will decide how the period of time allocated for public speaking will be apportioned where there are a number of speakers.

·              Where a member of the public wishes to ask a question of an Executive member, or of the Chair of a committee or sub-committee, at least 3 clear working days’ notice must be given in writing to Democratic Services, in order that an informed answer may be given.

Council are therefore asked to agree these broad proposals, and ask Officers to set up procedures in the near future for the implementation of this initiative, which will encourage active public participation.”

Following a debate on the matter, the Motion was put to the vote and declared lost.

We are proud to live in a diverse and tolerant society. Racism, xenophobia and hate crimes have no place in our country. Our Council condemns racism, xenophobia and hate crimes unequivocally. We will not allow hate to become acceptable.
 
We will work to ensure that local bodies and programmes have the support and resources they need to fight and prevent racism and xenophobia.
 
We reassure all people living in this area that they are valued members of our community.

It was moved and seconded that:

“We are proud to live in a diverse and tolerant society. Racism, xenophobia and hate crimes have no place in our country. Our Council condemns racism, xenophobia and hate crimes unequivocally. We will not allow hate to become acceptable.
 
We will work to ensure that local bodies and programmes have the support and resources they need to fight and prevent racism and xenophobia.
 
We reassure all people living in this area that they are valued members of our community.”

During the debate on the matter, a slight revision to the Motion was suggested with the proposed insertion of the word “available” before the word “resources” in the second paragraph. The mover and seconder of the Motion accepted the proposed revision and the meeting signified its consent. The revised Motion was subsequently agreed with the unanimous consent of the Council.

RESOLVED: That we are proud to live in a diverse and tolerant society. Racism, xenophobia and hate crimes have no place in our country. Our Council condemns racism, xenophobia and hate crimes unequivocally. We will not allow hate to become acceptable.
 
We will work to ensure that local bodies and programmes have the support and available resources they need to fight and prevent racism and xenophobia.
 
We reassure all people living in this area that they are valued members of our community.

Whilst not being complacent, this Council is rightly proud of Trafford’s position as an 'outstanding' authority for care leavers and would like to thank staff and partners who work incredibly hard to achieve this and meet increasing demand as child protection cases continue to rise.

In this context, this Council welcomes the proposed creation of the Greater Manchester Specialist Leaving Care Trust (the first of its kind in the country), a single GM organisation to provide corporate parenting for young people leaving care, working beyond Local Authority boundaries. The Trust will provide 16-25 year olds with access and support across a range of health and social care services and will bring all services to care leavers under one organisational form, delivered across Greater Manchester.

An initial coalition of a number of Local Authorities, led by Trafford as an ‘outstanding’ service, will commence the implementation of the foundations of the new organisation immediately, aiming to ‘go live’ from Spring 2017, before scaling up to include remaining local authorities by December 2017.

This Council fully supports the GM Specialist Leaving Trust and Trafford’s leading role, recognising the benefits that this will bring to care leavers across Greater Manchester.

It was moved and seconded that:

“Whilst not being complacent, this Council is rightly proud of Trafford’s position as an 'outstanding' authority for care leavers and would like to thank staff and partners who work incredibly hard to achieve this and meet increasing demand as child protection cases continue to rise.

In this context, this Council welcomes the proposed creation of the Greater Manchester Specialist Leaving Care Trust (the first of its kind in the country), a single GM organisation to provide corporate parenting for young people leaving care, working beyond local authority boundaries. The Trust will provide 16-25 year olds with access and support across a range of health and social care services and will bring all services to care leavers under one organisational form, delivered across Greater Manchester.

An initial coalition of a number of local authorities, led by Trafford as an ‘outstanding’ service, will commence the implementation of the foundations of the new organisation immediately, aiming to ‘go live’ from Spring 2017, before scaling up to include remaining local authorities by December 2017.

This Council fully supports the GM Specialist Leaving Trust and Trafford’s leading role, recognising the benefits that this will bring to care leavers across Greater Manchester.”

Following a debate on the matter, the Motion was agreed with the unanimous consent of the Council.

RESOLVED: That whilst not being complacent, this Council is rightly proud of Trafford’s position as an 'outstanding' authority for care leavers and would like to thank staff and partners who work incredibly hard to achieve this and meet increasing demand as child protection cases continue to rise.

In this context, this Council welcomes the proposed creation of the Greater Manchester Specialist Leaving Care Trust (the first of its kind in the country), a single GM organisation to provide corporate parenting for young people leaving care, working beyond local authority boundaries. The Trust will provide 16-25 year olds with access and support across a range of health and social care services and will bring all services to care leavers under one organisational form, delivered across Greater Manchester.

An initial coalition of a number of local authorities, led by Trafford as an ‘outstanding’ service, will commence the implementation of the foundations of the new organisation immediately, aiming to ‘go live’ from Spring 2017, before scaling up to include remaining local authorities by December 2017.

This Council fully supports the GM Specialist Leaving Trust and Trafford’s leading role, recognising the benefits that this will bring to care leavers across Greater Manchester.

This Council respects the result that last month’s referendum delivered by the country. Locally, its overarching message is one of reassurance and recognition of the incumbent responsibility on all elected members to provide leadership, stability and confidence both to the Council and most importantly to the communities we serve.

Those on both sides of the debate took the opportunity to put their arguments to the residents of Trafford and we must now come together and look to the future of our borough.

Our communities in Trafford are special and strengthened through their diversity. The contribution that everyone plays in creating a tolerant, respectful and inclusive culture in our society is highly valued, regardless of background, nationality, ethnicity, disability, sexuality and those of faith or none. We are confident we speak on behalf of everyone in the Council in saying we are all united in a common purpose to celebrate our differences and champion our togetherness as one place and one borough. We will not tolerate anything that threatens harmony in our communities and will continue to be a welcoming home.

This Council will pay close attention to the new and quickly evolving environment, to ensure we can support our local business and civil society, in order to keep Trafford integral to the regional economy and as one of the most successful, thriving and prosperous boroughs in Greater Manchester.

It was moved and seconded that:

“This Council respects the result that last month’s referendum delivered by the country. Locally, its overarching message is one of reassurance and recognition of the incumbent responsibility on all elected members to provide leadership, stability and confidence both to the Council and most importantly to the communities we serve.

Those on both sides of the debate took the opportunity to put their arguments to the residents of Trafford and we must now come together and look to the future of our borough.

Our communities in Trafford are special and strengthened through their diversity. The contribution that everyone plays in creating a tolerant, respectful and inclusive culture in our society is highly valued, regardless of background, nationality, ethnicity, disability, sexuality and those of faith or none. We are confident we speak on behalf of everyone in the Council in saying we are all united in a common purpose to celebrate our differences and champion our togetherness as one place and one borough. We will not tolerate anything that threatens harmony in our communities and will continue to be a welcoming home.

This Council will pay close attention to the new and quickly evolving environment, to ensure we can support our local business and civil society, in order to keep Trafford integral to the regional economy and as one of the most successful, thriving and prosperous boroughs in Greater Manchester.”

(Note: Prior to the debate on the matter, the time being 9.15 p.m., the Mayor indicated that the length of speeches would be restricted to 2 minutes per speaker.)

Following speeches in support, the Motion was agreed with the unanimous consent of the Council.

RESOLVED: That This Council respects the result that last month’s referendum delivered by the country. Locally, its overarching message is one of reassurance and recognition of the incumbent responsibility on all elected members to provide leadership, stability and confidence both to the Council and most importantly to the communities we serve.

Those on both sides of the debate took the opportunity to put their arguments to the residents of Trafford and we must now come together and look to the future of our borough.

Our communities in Trafford are special and strengthened through their diversity. The contribution that everyone plays in creating a tolerant, respectful and inclusive culture in our society is highly valued, regardless of background, nationality, ethnicity, disability, sexuality and those of faith or none. We are confident we speak on behalf of everyone in the Council in saying we are all united in a common purpose to celebrate our differences and champion our togetherness as one place and one borough. We will not tolerate anything that threatens harmony in our communities and will continue to be a welcoming home.

This Council will pay close attention to the new and quickly evolving environment, to ensure we can support our local business and civil society, in order to keep Trafford integral to the regional economy and as one  ...  view the full minutes text for item 27.