To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 22 February 2017 for signature by the Mayor as Chairman.

That the Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 22 February 2017, 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)        Westminster Attacks

Saddened by the terrorist attack which took place in the vicinity of Westminster Palace, London on 22 March 2017, the Council stood in silence in remembrance of those that had lost their lives and were injured.

(b)        Youth Parliament

The Mayor reported that she had acted as the Returning Officer for Trafford in the United Kingdom Youth Parliament elections and was pleased to announce that Alice Sutcliffe had been successfully elected at the count held earlier that evening in the Town Hall.

(c)        Scrutiny Committee Update

Councillor M. Young, Chairman of Scrutiny reported that both the Task and Finish Group Reviews on Amey and Education, Health and Care Plans had been completed and would be presented to the Executive at the first opportunity. Since it was unlikely to be before the end of the Municipal Year, the reports would be sent to the relative Executive Members and Corporate Directors to enable them to provide a timely response.

The Committee had completed its work programme set out at the start of the municipal year and had begun to identify topics for investigation by the Task and Finish Groups in 2017/18 programme.

In addition, Trafford Scrutiny’s response to the Commons Select Committee Review of Overview and Scrutiny had been submitted following sign-off by the Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen of both Scrutiny and Health Scrutiny Committees.

(d)    Health Scrutiny Committee Update

Councillor Harding, Chairman of Health Scrutiny Committee reported the Committee’s developments since the last update to Council.

Due to the high volume of work within the health sector, it had been proposed to increase the number of meetings from 4 to 6 for the 2017/18 Municipal Year.

Councillor Harding had attended the North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) Care Quality Summit held to review the findings of the Care Quality Commission inspection which gave the trust a rating of ‘requires improvement’. Attending as the representative of the Greater Manchester Scrutiny Committees, Councillor Harding would pass details of the NWAS response to Health Scrutiny members and anyone expressing an interest.  

The Health Scrutiny Committee had decided that there was little further for the End of Life Care Task and Finish Group to do, having completed a piece of work on current pathways. On the other hand, there had been a lot of detailed work for the Young People’s Wellbeing Task and Finish Group and it had met that day to consider further information from the Youth Cabinet. With work still to be done it was anticipated that its report would be finalised over the next few weeks.

Councillor Harding also advised the Council that Ann Day was due to stand down as the Chairman of Healthwatch Trafford. Councillor Harding wished to place on record both Health Scrutiny’s and the Council’s appreciation for her dedicated work over the years, as a champion of the health and wellbeing of Trafford residents, firstly as the Chairman of Voluntary and Community Action Trafford (VCAT) and then Healthwatch Trafford. Ann was wished the very best for her  ...  view the full minutes text for item 69.

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 10 questions had been submitted under Procedure Rule 10.2, however, a question from Councillor Mrs. Brophy was not permitted since it would place the Council in breach of the pre-election restrictions which apply during the purdah period in the run up to the Greater Manchester Mayoral elections.

(a)        Councillor Chilton asked the following question for which he had given notice:

“A recent study, undertaken by the Centre for Economics and Business Research and Royal Mail, found that the Sale postcode is the fourth most desirable in the country, based on a range of factors including good schools, access to green spaces, employment prospects, working hours, affordable housing and commute times. Will the Leader of the Council confirm what measures are being put in place to live up to this accolade by developing and investing in Sale's town and village centres, and addressing remaining areas of social and economic need?”

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Sean Anstee indicated that he was proud of the Council’s work to support Town Centres across the Borough to ensure that they were thriving and prosperous places. In relation to Sale, the Council was working to bring forward redevelopment proposals for the town centre and seeking to secure greater levels of investment in the public realm. The Council was also investing in primary schools across the Sale locality to address increasing demand for school places and ensure that primary school provision was met.

The Town Centre loan scheme was supporting the establishment of new businesses in Sale with the vacancy rate having been halved over the previous two years. The Leader also advised that the Council was liaising over proposals for the former Trafford Magistrates Court building and continuing to work with the ‘We are Sale Moor’ Group on future proposals in relation to the Warrener Street site in Sale. Supporting community facilities across Sale and the rest of the borough, the Leader cited the success of the Friends of Coppice Library being able to continue to support on-going library provision and was aware of the residents led Community Centre Scheme in St. Marys.

Councillor Chilton asked as a supplementary question whether the Leader of the Council would undertake to me with him and other members of the community to discuss what support the Council could offer projects in Sale West and the wider community and Councillor Sean Anstee indicated that he would be delighted to.

(b)        Councillor Boyes asked the following question for which he had given notice:

“It is widely known that for various reasons health outcomes for people living in the north can be significantly worse than for those living in the south. One of the measures often quoted is that of Death Rates from Heart disease. My question is do we have any data on this particular measure in respect of Trafford especially when compared with the other nine Boroughs in the Greater Manchester conurbation?”

The Executive Member for Adult Social Services, Councillor Williams referred to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 70.

To note that, due to an on-going illness, Councillor Dagnall resigned, with effect from 15 March 2017, from her role as Ward Councillor for Broadheath and that a by-election has been called for 4 May 2017.

RESOLVED –

(1)        That the Council notes that, due to an on-going illness, Councillor Dagnall resigned, with effect from 15 March 2017, from her role as Ward Councillor for Broadheath and that a by-election had been called for 4 May 2017.

(2)        That the Council thanks Councillor Louise Dagnall for all her work and conveys its very best wishes to her for the future.  

To consider a report of the Acting Director of Human Resources, referred from Employment Committee on 6 March 2017.

The Council considered a report the Acting Director of Human Resources, recommended to Council by Employment Committee at its meeting held on 6 March 2017 (Minute No. 20 refers), providing information relating to Trafford’s Pay Policy for 2017/18, in line with the requirements of the Localism Act 2011.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted and the 2017/18 Pay Policy Statement, as set out in appendix 1 to the report, be approved.

To consider a report of the Chief Executive.

RESOLVED: That this matter be deferred for further consideration by the Group Leaders and submitted to a future meeting of the Council.

This Council notes the recent decision of the Conservative Government to end the Dubs Scheme which sought to bring 3000 unaccompanied child refugees displaced in Europe to the UK. Council recognises that last year alone, more than 30,000 unaccompanied children landed in mainland Europe in the midst of a huge humanitarian crisis. These children are in considerable danger, with no familial support whatsoever, and at risk of people trafficking, sexual exploitation and abuse. 

Trafford Council places on record its continuing willingness to support refugees, and makes clear its explicit commitment to supporting unaccompanied refugee children in Europe. Council notes the specialist expertise of a number of Trafford foster families in managing the specific needs of refugee children and thanks them for the work that they do. 

Council therefore agrees to:

-              Write to the Home Secretary and the Immigration Minister making clear Trafford's readiness to accept unaccompanied children displaced in Europe under the terms of the Dubs Scheme.

-              State in this letter Trafford's disappointment at the abolition of the programme, and call for the reinstatement of the Dubs Scheme at the earliest opportunity.

It was moved and seconded that:

        “This Council notes the recent decision of the Conservative Government to end the Dubs Scheme which sought to bring 3000 unaccompanied child refugees displaced in Europe to the UK. Council recognises that last year alone, more than 30,000 unaccompanied children landed in mainland Europe in the midst of a huge humanitarian crisis. These children are in considerable danger, with no familial support whatsoever, and at risk of people trafficking, sexual exploitation and abuse.

        Trafford Council places on record its continuing willingness to support refugees, and makes clear its explicit commitment to supporting unaccompanied refugee children in Europe. Council notes the specialist expertise of a number of Trafford foster families in managing the specific needs of refugee children and thanks them for the work that they do.

        Council therefore agrees to:

-       Write to the Home Secretary and the Immigration Minister making clear Trafford's readiness to accept unaccompanied children displaced in Europe under the terms of the Dubs Scheme.

-       State in this letter Trafford's disappointment at the abolition of the programme, and call for the reinstatement of the Dubs Scheme at the earliest opportunity.”

It was moved and seconded as an amendment that:

“This Council notes the recent decision of the Government to transfer 350 children under the Dubs Scheme which sought to bring unaccompanied child refugees displaced in Europe to the UK. Council recognises that last year alone, more than 30,000 unaccompanied children landed in mainland Europe in the midst of a huge humanitarian crisis. These children are in considerable danger, with no familiar support whatsoever, and at risk of people trafficking, sexual exploitation and abuse.

Trafford Council reiterates its continuing willingness to support refugees, and makes clear its explicit commitment to supporting unaccompanied refugee children. Council notes the specialist expertise of a number of Trafford foster families in managing the specific needs of refugee children and thanks them for the work that they do.

Council therefore agrees to:

-       Write to the Home Secretary and the Immigration Minister making clear Trafford's readiness to continue to accept vulnerable unaccompanied refugee children.

-              State in this letter Trafford's support for the Government’s resettlement schemes which allow children to be resettled with their family members before they become unaccompanied, and before attempting perilous journeys to Europe.”

Following a debate on the matter, the amendment was put to the vote and declared carried. The substantive Motion was then put to the vote and declared carried.

RESOLVED: That this Council notes the recent decision of the Government to transfer 350 children under the Dubs Scheme which sought to bring unaccompanied child refugees displaced in Europe to the UK. Council recognises that last year alone, more than 30,000 unaccompanied children landed in mainland Europe in the midst of a huge humanitarian crisis. These children are in considerable danger, with no familiar support whatsoever, and at risk of people trafficking, sexual exploitation and abuse.

Trafford Council reiterates its continuing willingness to support refugees, and makes clear its explicit  ...  view the full minutes text for item 74.

This Council notes the concern of local residents at plans to commence charging for the collection of green garden waste. It is clear that there are a number of practical issues with this scheme including the potential for neighbour disputes around the fall of leaves, and the practicalities of the collection process. Council also recognises the injustice of imposing an additional 14% charge on residents choosing to register for the scheme by telephone rather than online.

In light of these issues Council agrees to abandon proposals to charge for green waste collection, recognising that to introduce this charge at the same time as increasing Council Tax by 4.99% would represent a financial double-whammy for residents at a time of continue sluggish wage growth.

The Mayor indicated that the Motion submitted on notice regarding the Green Bin Collection Service had the effect of negativing a decision from the previous meeting of the Council and therefore, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 15.3, could not be moved as there was no fresh information or other changed circumstances to justify such a course.

Council notes the many questions that have been raised in this chamber with the Executive Member for Children’s Services with regard to Education, Health and Care Plans, surrounding their timeliness and accuracy.

Council notes the very detailed responses given by the Executive Member and the reassurances given that service failings are being addressed.

Clearly there have been historical difficulties in addressing service delivery in this key area and the information provided of the changes that have and are being made to improve the delivery of accurate and timely EHCPs is very welcome.

That said never once has the Executive Member admitted that it was the common practice of this Council from 2008 to 2016 to outsource the writing of Statements of Educational Need  and latterly Education and HealthCare Plans for our Special Needs Children to a private company IndDepenDent Business Services latterly known as Enhance EHC Services and that this practice was pursued by the CFW Directorate without the consent of the parents and carers of our Special Needs Children being sought and without any formal Data Protection Protocols being put in place in respect of the data being shared with this company.

In light of this Council requires the parents and carers of our Special Needs Children, whose Statements and EHCPs were outsourced without their knowledge, to receive a public apology from the Executive Member on behalf of the Children, Families and Wellbeing Directorate and a specific undertaking that appropriate governance and data protection protocols will be approved and followed if in the future the need to outsource such work ever arises again.

It was moved and seconded that:

“Council notes the many questions that have been raised in this chamber with the Executive Member for Children’s Services with regard to Education, Health and Care Plans, surrounding their timeliness and accuracy.

Council notes the very detailed responses given by the Executive Member and the reassurances given that service failings are being addressed.

Clearly there have been historical difficulties in addressing service delivery in this key area and the information provided of the changes that have and are being made to improve the delivery of accurate and timely EHCPs is very welcome.

That said never once has the Executive Member admitted that it was the common practice of this Council from 2008 to 2016 to outsource the writing of Statements of Educational Need  and latterly Education and HealthCare Plans for our Special Needs Children to a private company IndDepenDent Business Services latterly known as Enhance EHC Services and that this practice was pursued by the CFW Directorate without the consent of the parents and carers of our Special Needs Children being sought and without any formal Data Protection Protocols being put in place in respect of the data being shared with this company.

In light of this Council requires the parents and carers of our Special Needs Children, whose Statements and EHCPs were outsourced without their knowledge, to receive a public apology from the Executive Member on behalf of the Children, Families and Wellbeing Directorate and a specific undertaking that appropriate governance and data protection protocols will be approved and followed if in the future the need to outsource such work ever arises again.”

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