Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber, Trafford Town Hall, Talbot Road, Stretford

Contact: Ian Cockill  Democratic Services Officer

Note: PRESENTATION FOR MEMBERS OF COUNCIL - 6.30 P.M. Prior to Council, all Members of Council are invited to attend at 6.30 p.m. in the Council Chamber to receive a presentation from pupils of Stretford High and Stretford Grammar Schools entitled ‘Dunkirk and Beyond’. 

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Items
No. Item

35.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 125 KB

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 6 September 2016 for signature by the Mayor as Chairman.

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Minutes:

That the Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 6 September 2016, be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

 

36.

Announcements

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.

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Minutes:

(a)        Britain in Bloom North West Awards 2016

 

The Mayor reported that she had attended the recent North West in Bloom Awards and was delighted to inform the Council of the local winners.

 

Altrincham won a gold medal for Best Large Town; The Trafford Centre won the gold medal for Best Large Tourist Attraction; Partington Town Council won a Silver Medal for Best Small Town; and Timperley a Silver Gilt Medal for Best Large Town.

 

Royal Horticultural Society Certificates of Distinction were awarded to Broomwood Community Wellbeing Centre which was classed as thriving; Secret Garden, Altrincham, classed as outstanding; Friends of Denzell Gardens and the Devisdale, Altrincham, outstanding; and Friends of John Leigh Park Altrincham, outstanding

 

The Mayor also presented the Mayor of Trafford’s Trophy to Bidston Village Green.

 

(b)        Scrutiny Committee Update

 

Councillor Michael Young, Chairman of Scrutiny Committee advised the Council that Budget Scrutiny Working Group sessions would be held on 6 and 7 December 2016 and that both the Task and Finish Groups for Amey and EHCP had met and were progressing with the aim of presenting their work in March 2017. Additionally, the Committee was in the process of recruiting 2 parent governor representatives, since the positions become vacant as the representatives children leave school.

 

(c)    Health Scrutiny Committee Update

 

        Councillor Harding, Chairman of Health Scrutiny Committee informed the Council on the following developments.

 

        The Urgent Care Centre at Trafford General had moved ahead of schedule from a consultant led model to a nurse and GP led model and the Joint Health Scrutiny Committee would continue to monitor the performance of the service going forward.

 

        Trafford Health Scrutiny Committee had been identified as a key stakeholder by the Single Hospital Service programme team and would receive regular updates on the progress of the plan to streamline the services of the University Hospital of South Manchester NHS Foundation Trust (UHSM) and the Central Manchester University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (CMFT).

 

Task and Finish Groups for Wellbeing of Secondary School Students and End of Life Pathways were gathering information and aimed to complete in March/April 2017.

 

        Following Brooks Bar Medical Centre’s failed follow up inspection by the Care Quality Commission the practice had been closed. Instead of conducting a list dispersal, Trafford Clinical Commissioning Group would bring in new GPs to run the practice and protect services. The Health Scrutiny Chairman and Vice-Chairman would maintain regular contact and residents could contact them for an update.

 

 

 

37.

Questions By Members

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.

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Minutes:

The Mayor reported that 5 questions had been submitted under Procedure Rule 10.2, however, a question from Councillor Freeman that concerned Education, Health and Care Plans was not permitted since the matter was currently under review by the Scrutiny Committee.

 

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

 

In the budget 2016/2017, the proposal is to consult with schools on funding their school crossing patrol service. Would you confirm that two documents appear to make it very difficult for schools to actually pay for the crossing patrol service. Schools receive their money via the Dedicated Schools Grant. This references another document - The Schools and Early Years Finance (England) Regulations 2014. In this document, the government sets out the legal responsibility for schools to spend their budgets only on certain agreed ring-fenced matters. In Part 2 of the Law, Chapter 1, Pages 10 and 11, schools and local authorities are told exactly what this ring-fencing means. In addition, under the heading 'Exceptions' it states:

 

“A local authority's non-schools education budget or school budget must not include the following classes or descriptions of expenditure – “

 

there are two items and then the third point states the following:

 

“(c) expenditure for the purposes of section 26 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 (a) (arrangements for patrolling school crossings).”

 

Would you confirm this information is correct?

 

Councillor Mrs. Evans, Executive Member for Transformation and Resources advised that the Council was actively seeking avenues of funding to support the retention of school crossing patrols across the Borough and dialogue had been opened with schools alongside businesses and community groups to seek a funding resolution. There were examples from across the country where schools had supported the retention of patrols and the Council was working in collaboration with Head Teachers to consider the options available within the framework of the regulations. Councillor Mrs. Evans hoped Members would support efforts to explore every possible avenue to retain the services rather than immediately move to disband them in their entirety.

 

Councillor Baugh asked as a supplementary question whether the Executive Member would, as a matter of courtesy and at her earliest convenience, confirm to schools that it would be illegal for them to fund the school crossing patrol service. Councillor Mrs. Evans reaffirmed that the Council recognised the Dedicated Schools Grant framework and would continue to work to find a solution. The Executive Member also indicated that Councillor Baugh could invite Head Teachers to contact her with any concerns. 

 

(b)        Councillor Mrs. Brophy asked the following question, the first of three for which she had given notice:

 

Just last week residents in Trafford and across Greater Manchester were hit with extreme weather causing disruption to transport, risking family homes and potentially putting lives in danger. What measures have been put in place since these floods to ensure our residents are not put at risk again?

 

Councillor John Reilly, Executive Member for Economic Growth, Environment and Infrastructure explained that he would  ...  view the full minutes text for item 37.

38.

Greater Manchester Devolution

To receive a verbal update from the Leader of the Council.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Leader of the Council provided an oral update on the Orders presently progressing through Parliament and the work being undertaken to pave the way for various aspects of the Devolution Agreement.

 

The first order had been laid before Parliament and was expected to be debated in the next two weeks and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority was continuing to work with the Department for Communities and Local Government on the progression of the order.

 

The Leader advised that he would provide a further update on the second order that mainly deals with Mayoral Development Corporations and the transfer of the Greater Manchester waste function in 2018, alongside transport issues and data sharing, when information was available.

 

The Overview and Scrutiny Order had been finalised and was ready to be laid before Parliament, possibly that week. It was a generic order that applied to all combined authorities, not just Greater Manchester and included the arrangements for Audit Committees. Other items progressing included the election rules that would apply in 2017 and also the Finance Order that was needed to support the undertaking of the Combined Authority.

 

In relation to Employment and Skills, the Council would be asked in the next few months for Trafford to become to lead authority for co-financing employment and skills work until such point as this obligation could be moved from the Council to the Combined Authority.

 

Greater Manchester Spatial Framework discussions had been progressed, important work for not just Trafford but all of Greater Manchester. Also the Greater Manchester submission to the Autumn Statement had been responded to by the Government and the implications were being assessed. Most of the details in relation to the ‘asks’ that were submitted were expected from government departments over the next few weeks.

 

RESOLVED: That the update be noted.

39.

Appointment to Outside Bodies

To note that under delegated authority, Councillor Mrs. Evans was appointed on 11 October 2016, as the Council’s representative on the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (AGMA) Asylum Seekers Board for 2016/17. AGMA had sought nominations so that all 10 of the Greater Manchester Councils were represented.

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Minutes:

        RESOLVED: That Council notes that on 11 October 2016, under delegated authority, Councillor Mrs. Evans was appointed as the Council’s representative on the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities Asylum Seekers Board for 2016/17.

40.

Appointment of Co-opted Parish Member to Standards Committee pdf icon PDF 47 KB

To consider a report of the Director of Legal and Democratic Services / Monitoring Officer.

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Minutes:

The Director of Legal and Democratic Services / Monitoring Officer submitted a report advising of the selection process undertaken to identify a replacement Co-opted Parish Member on Standards Committee and seeking Council approval for an appointment to be made.

 

RESOLVED: That Council endorses the appointment of Councillor Sid Neild of Carrington Parish Council as a Co-opted Parish Member of Standards Committee, with effect from 30November 2016.

41.

Office of Surveillance Commissioners - Outcome of Inspection 2016 pdf icon PDF 75 KB

To note a report of the Executive Member for Transformation and Resources. Reports have also been presented to the Accounts and Audit Committee on 29 September 2016 and the Executive on 31 October 2016.

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Minutes:

The Executive Member for Transformation and Resources submitted a report advising Members on the outcome of the inspection carried out by the Office of Surveillance Commissioners and setting out the recommendations and the proposed action for the Council to implement those recommendations. Reports had also been presented to the Accounts and Audit Committee on 29 September 2016 and the Executive on 31 October 2016.

 

RESOLVED: That the Council notes that the Commissioner’s recommendations have been accepted and that the following steps have been taken to implement the recommendations/learning points:

 

a)     an officer debrief of the lessons learned as a consequence of the inspection has taken place.

b)     amendments made to the main policy document Guidance on the Use of Surveillance, as set out in the report.

c)     process now agreed with external agencies (GMP) in relation to authorisations for directed surveillance. Follow up checks to be carried out from time to time.

d)     periodic refresher training for authorising officers, applicants and enforcement officers will be arranged. 

42.

Motion Submitted by the Labour Group - Domestic Abuse

 

The Interim Mayor of Greater Manchester Tony Lloyd last month launched a new campaign to raise awareness of domestic abuse in Greater Manchester, entitled Sitting Right With You. As councillors we were all notified of this directly and we know this Council responded with a press release. This Council recognises the importance of raising awareness of domestic abuse and pledges to ensure it will be recognised as a priority for all councillors, as many residents in our borough will experience abuse and we need to support and help them in any way possible.

 

Domestic abuse affects 1 in 3 women and 1 in 6 men nationally and Council therefore formally agrees to sign up to this campaign and to do our utmost to raise awareness and challenge stigma by getting the message out that domestic abuse is more common than people generally think, whilst ensuring that our residents know where and how to access help.

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Minutes:

(Note: The Mayor, in her capacity as a Trustee of Trafford Domestic Abuse Services and through her marriage to the Interim Mayor and

Police Commissioner for Greater Manchester, declared a personal interest in this item and remained in the Chair during its consideration.)

 

It was moved and seconded that:

 

“The Interim Mayor of Greater Manchester Tony Lloyd last month launched a new campaign to raise awareness of domestic abuse in Greater Manchester, entitled Sitting Right With You. As councillors we were all notified of this directly and we know this Council responded with a press release. This Council recognises the importance of raising awareness of domestic abuse and pledges to ensure it will be recognised as a priority for all councillors, as many residents in our borough will experience abuse and we need to support and help them in any way possible.

 

Domestic abuse affects 1 in 3 women and 1 in 6 men nationally and Council therefore formally agrees to sign up to this campaign and to do our utmost to raise awareness and challenge stigma by getting the message out that domestic abuse is more common than people generally think, whilst ensuring that our residents know where and how to access help.”

 

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

 

RESOLVED: That the Interim Mayor of Greater Manchester Tony Lloyd last month launched a new campaign to raise awareness of domestic abuse in Greater Manchester, entitled Sitting Right With You. As councillors we were all notified of this directly and we know this Council responded with a press release. This Council recognises the importance of raising awareness of domestic abuse and pledges to ensure it will be recognised as a priority for all councillors, as many residents in our borough will experience abuse and we need to support and help them in any way possible.

 

Domestic abuse affects 1 in 3 women and 1 in 6 men nationally and Council therefore formally agrees to sign up to this campaign and to do our utmost to raise awareness and challenge stigma by getting the message out that domestic abuse is more common than people generally think, whilst ensuring that our residents know where and how to access help.

43.

Motion Submitted by the Labour Group - Pharmacies

 

Trafford Council recognises and values local pharmacies as a vital primary care health service and as an integral part of the fabric of local communities throughout our borough.

 

Council notes that:

 

      Pharmacies in Trafford offer a range of services such as dispensing prescriptions, disposal of unwanted medicines and supporting self-care

      Pharmacies play an important role in promoting wellbeing such as healthy eating, smoking cessation, exercise, flu vaccination, sexual health and more

      Advice and support services are also available to care homes

 

Trafford Council is greatly concerned about Government imposed threats to pharmacies as a result of cuts in the budget of £170 million nationally from October 2016. This is a 6% cut in cash terms but could mean a cut of 12% during the financial year which may potentially close up to a quarter of pharmacies with an increased focus on warehousing dispensary and online services. Service cuts in pharmacies put more residents at risk as well as putting pressure on GPs and on hospital services and therefore increasing NHS costs. A fully funded community pharmacy service is cost effective and is in the interest of patients and carers.

 

Trafford Council agrees to write to the Secretary of State for Health, NHS England and our local Clinical Commissioning Group detailing our concerns and demanding an immediate reversal of this funding cut.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

It was moved and seconded that:

 

“Trafford Council recognises and values local pharmacies as a vital primary care health service and as an integral part of the fabric of local communities throughout our borough.

 

Council notes that:

 

      Pharmacies in Trafford offer a range of services such as dispensing prescriptions, disposal of unwanted medicines and supporting self-care

      Pharmacies play an important role in promoting wellbeing such as healthy eating, smoking cessation, exercise, flu vaccination, sexual health and more

      Advice and support services are also available to care homes

 

Trafford Council is greatly concerned about Government imposed threats to pharmacies as a result of cuts in the budget of £170 million nationally from October 2016. This is a 6% cut in cash terms but could mean a cut of 12% during the financial year which may potentially close up to a quarter of pharmacies with an increased focus on warehousing dispensary and online services. Service cuts in pharmacies put more residents at risk as well as putting pressure on GPs and on hospital services and therefore increasing NHS costs. A fully funded community pharmacy service is cost effective and is in the interest of patients and carers.

 

Trafford Council agrees to write to the Secretary of State for Health, NHS England and our local Clinical Commissioning Group detailing our concerns and demanding an immediate reversal of this funding cut.”

 

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

44.

Motion Submitted by the Labour Group - Sky Lanterns

 

The Council recognises the hazards caused by Sky Lanterns (also known as Chinese Lanterns).

 

Sky Lanterns have given rise to a number of serious concerns including:

 

·             The risk to human life.

·             Risk to pets, livestock, birds, wildlife and marine life.

·             Fire and damage to property and vehicles.

·             The impact on the environment, including littering.

 

Sky Lanterns have been responsible for the fire at the Smethwick Recycling Plant in June 2013, which resulted in damage totalling around £6 million. They have been responsible for 62 fires within Greater Manchester.

 

Deaths and injury has been inflicted on livestock, birds, wildlife and marine life mainly through ingestion and entrapment caused by the lanterns wire frame. The RSPCA, Fire and Rescue Authorities, Farmers and Vets have all warned of the dangers of Sky Lanterns. They have also been banned in several other Countries including Australia, Spain and Germany.

 

This Council therefore resolves to ban the sale and use of Sky Lanterns on any of its property or premises.

 

In addition the Council calls on Government to introduce legislation to ban the sale and use of Sky Lanterns in the UK.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

It was moved and seconded that:

 

“The Council recognises the hazards caused by Sky Lanterns (also known as Chinese Lanterns).

 

Sky Lanterns have given rise to a number of serious concerns including:

 

       The risk to human life.

       Risk to pets, livestock, birds, wildlife and marine life.

       Fire and damage to property and vehicles.

       The impact on the environment, including littering.

 

Sky Lanterns have been responsible for the fire at the Smethwick Recycling Plant in June 2013, which resulted in damage totalling around £6 million. They have been responsible for 62 fires within Greater Manchester.

 

Deaths and injury has been inflicted on livestock, birds, wildlife and marine life mainly through ingestion and entrapment caused by the lanterns wire frame. The RSPCA, Fire and Rescue Authorities, Farmers and Vets have all warned of the dangers of Sky Lanterns. They have also been banned in several other Countries including Australia, Spain and Germany.

 

This Council therefore resolves to ban the sale and use of Sky Lanterns on any of its property or premises.

 

In addition the Council calls on Government to introduce legislation to ban the sale and use of Sky Lanterns in the UK.”

 

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

 

RESOLVED: That the Council recognises the hazards caused by Sky Lanterns (also known as Chinese Lanterns).

 

Sky Lanterns have given rise to a number of serious concerns including:

 

       The risk to human life.

       Risk to pets, livestock, birds, wildlife and marine life.

       Fire and damage to property and vehicles.

       The impact on the environment, including littering.

 

Sky Lanterns have been responsible for the fire at the Smethwick Recycling Plant in June 2013, which resulted in damage totalling around £6 million. They have been responsible for 62 fires within Greater Manchester.

 

Deaths and injury has been inflicted on livestock, birds, wildlife and marine life mainly through ingestion and entrapment caused by the lanterns wire frame. The RSPCA, Fire and Rescue Authorities, Farmers and Vets have all warned of the dangers of Sky Lanterns. They have also been banned in several other Countries including Australia, Spain and Germany.

 

This Council therefore resolves to ban the sale and use of Sky Lanterns on any of its property or premises.

 

In addition the Council calls on Government to introduce legislation to ban the sale and use of Sky Lanterns in the UK.

45.

Motion Submitted by the Labour Group - Bus Services Bill

 

This Council notes:

 

That the Bus Services Bill, which is currently passing through Parliament, includes many measures vital to Greater Manchester’s ambition for a modern 21st century transport system. The most significant of these measures is enabling via an Elected Mayor, the franchising of bus services. This long called for measure will at last, remove a major structural obstacle to both a properly integrated smart ticketing regime across operators and indeed, across modes, as well as opening up new possibilities in real time passenger information.

 

That Local Authority-run bus companies, such as Reading Buses and Nottingham City Transport, have a successful award winning track record of increasing the number of journeys, gaining high passenger satisfaction ratings and improving quality.

 

That the proposed Clause 21 of this Bill would “prohibit a local authority from forming a company for the purposes of providing a local bus service” and that this prohibition would apply even if such a publicly owned bus company was shown to be either the most cost effective means of delivering the service, or in fact the only means of delivering the service.

 

Council welcomes:

 

That Clause 21 was removed through an amendment in the House of Lords report stage on the 24th October but remains alert to the danger of its reinsertion by the government when it reaches the House of Commons.

 

Council concludes:

 

That, consequently, and in accordance with the cross-party Local Government Association view, Clause 21 should remain omitted from the Bus Services Bill.

 

This Council therefore resolves:

 

To write to Lord Ahmad (Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department for Transport), who is responsible for this Bill, calling on the Department for Transport not to resubmit Clause 21 to the Bill.

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Minutes:

RESOLVED: That the Motion set out at 8 (d) on the Summons be withdrawn.

46.

Motion Submitted by the Conservative Group - Trafford Park Metrolink

 

The Council welcomes the recent confirmation that the Secretary of State for Transport has given final approval to enable construction to commence on the Trafford Park Metrolink Line.

 

This has been a long standing commitment of Trafford Council and demonstrates how Greater Manchester devolution and planned development can secure significant investment in major transport infrastructure.

 

The Council looks forward with anticipation to completion of the scheme and resolves to continue to work closely with Transport for Greater Manchester and contractors to ensure the successful delivery of the scheme.

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Minutes:

(Note: Councillor Cordingley declared a personal interest in this item, being the Council’s appointed representative on the Transport for Greater Manchester Committee and remained in the meeting during its consideration.)

 

It was moved and seconded that:

 

“The Council welcomes the recent confirmation that the Secretary of State for Transport has given final approval to enable construction to commence on the Trafford Park Metrolink Line.

 

This has been a long standing commitment of Trafford Council and demonstrates how Greater Manchester devolution and planned development can secure significant investment in major transport infrastructure.

 

The Council looks forward with anticipation to completion of the scheme and resolves to continue to work closely with Transport for Greater Manchester and contractors to ensure the successful delivery of the scheme.”

 

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

 

RESOLVED: That the Council welcomes the recent confirmation that the Secretary of State for Transport has given final approval to enable construction to commence on the Trafford Park Metrolink Line.

 

This has been a long standing commitment of Trafford Council and demonstrates how Greater Manchester devolution and planned development can secure significant investment in major transport infrastructure.

 

The Council looks forward with anticipation to completion of the scheme and resolves to continue to work closely with Transport for Greater Manchester and contractors to ensure the successful delivery of the scheme.

47.

Motion Submitted by the Conservative Group - Apprenticeships

 

The Council welcomes the introduction of the apprenticeship levy as a means of increasing business productivity and profitability whilst simultaneously increasing the supply and quality of apprenticeship training for our population including higher and degree level apprenticeships.

 

The Economic Growth team have been working directly with Trafford businesses (both levy paying and not) to ensure the potential benefits are realised to help support and strengthen our local economy and improve skills of the existing workforce.

 

The levy is an important component to secure future training of our apprentices and enhance the broad educational offer that our residents enjoy and the Council pledges to continue to support employers, schools and residents through the introduction of the levy next year.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

It was moved and seconded that:

 

“The Council welcomes the introduction of the apprenticeship levy as a means of increasing business productivity and profitability whilst simultaneously increasing the supply and quality of apprenticeship training for our population including higher and degree level apprenticeships.

 

The Economic Growth team have been working directly with Trafford businesses (both levy paying and not) to ensure the potential benefits are realised to help support and strengthen our local economy and improve skills of the existing workforce.

 

The levy is an important component to secure future training of our apprentices and enhance the broad educational offer that our residents enjoy and the Council pledges to continue to support employers, schools and residents through the introduction of the levy next year.”

 

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

 

RESOLVED: That the Council welcomes the introduction of the apprenticeship levy as a means of increasing business productivity and profitability whilst simultaneously increasing the supply and quality of apprenticeship training for our population including higher and degree level apprenticeships.

 

The Economic Growth team have been working directly with Trafford businesses (both levy paying and not) to ensure the potential benefits are realised to help support and strengthen our local economy and improve skills of the existing workforce.

 

The levy is an important component to secure future training of our apprentices and enhance the broad educational offer that our residents enjoy and the Council pledges to continue to support employers, schools and residents through the introduction of the levy next year.