Agenda and minutes

Venue: Wesley Hall, The LifeCentre, 235 Washway Road, Sale, M33 4BP

Contact: Ian Cockill  Governance Officer

Note: As the Council continues to manage the risk of Covid-19 public attendance at this meeting will be limited and anyone wishing to attend is asked to contact democratic.services@trafford.gov.uk to register in advance . The Council has a duty to protect the health, safety and welfare of staff and others from Covid transmission risks so far as is reasonably practicable and all attendees are reminded of the need for self-isolation where positive cases and contacts have been identified. Please note that the meeting will also be streamed live in line with the principles of openness and transparency in local government. To access the live stream of the meeting, please paste the following into your browser's address bar: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjwbIOW5x0NSe38sgFU8bKg 

Items
No. Item

42.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 437 KB

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 13 October 2021 for signature by the Mayor as Chair of the Council.

Minutes:

That the Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 13 October 2021, be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

 

43.

Announcements

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

Minutes:

(a)       Chief Executive

 

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Andrew Western informed the Council that the Chief Executive’s recovery from her complex operation had gathered pace in recent weeks and it was hoped that Sara would be able to return to duties quite soon. The Chief Executive had asked the Leader to convey her thanks for everyone’s concern and to say she was looking forward to seeing them all once back in situ.

 

(b)       Scrutiny Committee

 

Councillor Acton, the Chair of Scrutiny Committee reminded the Council that the Budget Scrutiny Sessions would be held on 30 November and 2 December 2021.All Scrutiny Members had been invited and all non-Executive Members would also be welcome to attend the sessions which were being held online.

 

44.

Questions By Members pdf icon PDF 193 KB

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

Minutes:

The Mayor reported that 3 questions had been received under Procedure Rule 10.2.

 

(a)       Councillor Butt had given notice of the following question:

 

“Regarding the temporary pop up lanes on the A56, the Council sent out a press release launching the consultation which contained the line “The consultation is not intended to be a referendum.” Residents feel it should be a referendum so if residents choose the third option of ‘to remove the temporary cycle lane and revert to the pre-Covid-19 structure with all lanes open for motorists’; what confidence should residents have that that option would be implemented?”

 

In response, Councillor Adshead, Executive Member for Environmental and Regulatory Services advised that the consultation was in an open format with no firm design proposals at that stage and it was an opportunity for the people of Trafford to give their views on the options at that stage. It was a chance for people to make suggestions and submit their ideas about what they would like transport to look like through the heart of the Borough, based around a framework of three possible scenarios. At the second stage of the consultation, when proposals had been firmed up, there would be a further opportunity for residents to comment about what they wanted. The results of those two consultations would be taken into consideration along with the clean air plan and Transport for Greater Manchester’s wider transport plan for the region.

 

(b)       Councillor Chalkin had given notice of the following question and this was put by Councillor Lamb:

 

“Further to the question asked at the full Council meeting on 13 October, can the Executive Member for Environmental and Regulatory Services address the state of Stamford Park? In the eyes of residents, the conditions in the park have deteriorated over the past few years.

 

Will the Executive Member for Environmental and Regulatory Services and the Executive Member for Culture and Leisure commit to both a full and transparent planned maintenance strategy to improve the equipment and the infrastructure of the park, and to supporting the friends of Stamford Park with additional resources to bring the park back to the standard residents expect?”

 

In response Councillor Patel, Executive Member for Culture and Leisure advised that on 11 November a walking meeting took place at Stamford Park  with Councillors Chalkin and Mrs. Young to discuss how best to move standards of the park forward. A list of points were raised on site as follows:

 

-        Swings in the playpark were removed and the Council was in the process of arranging for the swings to be reopened in the current financial year.

-        Sign by Tennis Court – considered that it was not possible to “police” the area afterhours, however, signs had been ordered as an attempt to deter anti-social use of the courts.

-        Children’s play park it has been pointed out that there was a need for more benches in the area and the Council was working towards placing a new bench in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 44.

45.

Petition - No Cones on Chester Road pdf icon PDF 220 KB

To consider the following petition requiring debate:

 

The cones on the A56 need to be removed.  A new and improved solution with local public consultation to allow better access for all road users.

 

Local social media forums are full of this very lively debate. The cones cause standing traffic and therefore greater emissions in an area where there are 4 primary schools in close proximity. The residents and businesses in Gorse Hill are effectively boxed in on 3 sides as drivers, the only exits lead onto the A56. At the traffic lights on Thomas Street turning right is much more problematic across the box junction which has standing traffic and an immediate right turn lane onto Davyhulme Road East. We need that other lane open and further information from the public on the other problem areas.

 

Key workers are struggling to attend their clients, ambulances are being delayed. The cones are affecting our use of our roads detrimentally.

Drivers are constantly commenting on the scarcity of cyclists in the lanes and increase of accidents and near misses.

 

We feel the cones were quite literally sneaked in during lockdown without an effective public consultation.

 

Some residents say they have written to Trafford Council and have been informed the cones are there to stay. A review is clearly needed.

 

Note: In accordance with the Council’s Petition Scheme, a petition containing more than 500 signatures will be debated by the Council. The petition organiser will be given five minutes to present the petition and then it will be discussed by the Council for a maximum of 15 minutes.

 

Minutes:

Lead petitioner, Tracey Haworth introduced the following petition which, at the date of submission to the Council, had 2642 signatures and 1321 of these were from addresses within the Borough.

 

“The cones on the A56 need to be removed.  A new and improved solution with local public consultation to allow better access for all road users.

 

Local social media forums are full of this very lively debate. The cones cause standing traffic and therefore greater emissions in an area where there are 4 primary schools in close proximity. The residents and businesses in Gorse Hill are effectively boxed in on 3 sides as drivers, the only exits lead onto the A56. At the traffic lights on Thomas Street turning right is much more problematic across the box junction which has standing traffic and an immediate right turn lane onto Davyhulme Road East. We need that other lane open and further information from the public on the other problem areas.

 

Key workers are struggling to attend their clients, ambulances are being delayed. The cones are affecting our use of our roads detrimentally.

Drivers are constantly commenting on the scarcity of cyclists in the lanes and increase of accidents and near misses.

 

We feel the cones were quite literally sneaked in during lockdown without an effective public consultation.

 

Some residents say they have written to Trafford Council and have been informed the cones are there to stay. A review is clearly needed.”

 

In presenting the petition, the lead petitioner anticipated that a transparent debate would lead to a timeline for a new and improved solution, an explanation of the monitoring and communication of the traffic flow problem areas and emissions around the local schools and consideration of the problem areas raised, including Edge Lane and both Gorse Hill estates.

 

The Lead Petitioner highlighted the following issues:

 

-       It was unlikely that many residents were aware of the priority being given in local plans to pedestrians and cyclists over motorists.

-       It was acknowledged that Climate Change was high on the agenda, however, the transition to electric vehicles would take time and it was not always an option to walk or cycle.

-       The reality was not just here and now but a short, medium and long term plan for a solution to the future patterns of thousands of road and pavement users was clearly not an easy feat, whilst giving consideration to and balancing Climate Change, the Clean Air Act and the environment.

-       The petition highlighted the problematical, proportional use of the highway and additionally, logistical transport of goods and services could not be met by walking and cycling.

-       A call for planning and architectural models whereby the designer was informed by users throughout all stages of the process: “the most ordinary people can have the most extraordinary ideas”.

-       Parking issues in Gorse Hill were exacerbated by the industrial estate in the area and a problem area existed turning right onto the A56 and with incoming traffic off the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 45.

46.

Corporate Plan Refresh 2021-24 pdf icon PDF 938 KB

To consider a report of the Executive Member for Covid-19 Recovery and Reform, which is anticipated to be referred from the Executive Meeting held on 22 November 2021.

 

[PLEASE NOTE: The Corporate Plan Refresh brochure will be circulated under separate cover in advance of the Executive Meeting.]

 

Minutes:

The Executive Member for Covid-19 Recovery and Reform submitted a report referred from the Executive Meeting on 22 November 2021, providing a summary of the Council’s refreshed Corporate Plan.

 

RESOLVED: That the refreshed Corporate Plan for 2021-24, be adopted and that the reporting schedule for Corporate Plan updates, be noted.

47.

Trafford Climate Emergency Progress Report pdf icon PDF 380 KB

To consider a report of the Executive Member for Environmental and Regulatory Services providing the Executive’s response to the Climate Change Task and Finish Group report and recommendations.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Council received a report of the Executive Member for Environmental and Regulatory Services providing the response considered by the Executive on 28 September 2020 to the Climate Change Task and Finish Group’s report and recommendations regarding the Climate Emergency.

 

RESOLVED: That the reports of the Executive Member for Environmental and Regulatory Services and the Scrutiny Task and Finish Group, be noted.

48.

Gambling Act 2005 - Statement of Gambling Principles 2022-2025 pdf icon PDF 243 KB

To consider a report of the Executive Member for Environmental and Regulatory Services referred from the Executive meeting held on 22 November 2021.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Executive Member for Environmental and Regulatory Services submitted a report advising that the Council was required to prepare, consult on and publish a Statement of Gambling Principles, in accordance with the Gambling Act 2005. The report had been referred from the Executive and invited the Council to consider the summary of responses received following the statutory consultation.

 

RESOLVED –

 

(1)       That the Council notes the recommendations of the Executive on 22 November 2021 and the feedback from the recent public and trade consultation on the proposed Statement of Gambling Principles.

 

(2)       That the Statement of Gambling Principles 2022-2025, as set out at Appendix 3 to the report, be adopted by the Council.

49.

Greater Manchester Minimum Licensing Standards for Taxi and Private Hire - Stage 2 Recommendations Report (Vehicles) pdf icon PDF 637 KB

To consider a report of the Executive Member for Environmental and Regulatory Services referred from the Executive meeting held on 22 November 2021.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Executive Member for Environmental and Regulatory Services submitted a report setting out the proposed Greater Manchester Minimum Licensing Standards (MLS) for Taxi and Private Hire. The report represented Stage Two of the Standards which related to Vehicles, whereas, Stage One related to Drivers, Operators and Local Authorities and those proposals were reported to the Council on 13 October 2021. The Council was now requested to consider the responses to the recent public and trade consultation for Stage Two and the proposed standards, policies and procedures outlined in the report recommended by the Executive on 22 November 2021.  

 

RESOLVED -

 

(1)    That the recommendations of the Executive on 22 November 2021 and the feedback from the recent public and trade consultation on the proposed Greater Manchester Minimum Licensing Standards for Taxi and Private Hire, be noted.

 

(2)    That the Council approves that:

 

·         wheel chair access for licensed hackney carriage vehicles is applied as per Standard 1 in Table A of the report;

·         age limits for vehicles are applied as per Standard 2 in Table A of the report;

·         emission standards for vehicles are applied as per Standard 3 in Table A of the report;

·         the standards for vehicle colour are applied as per Standard 4 in Table A of the report;

·         the standards for vehicle colour are applied as per Standard 4 in Table A of the report;

·         the standard for livery for vehicles is applied as per Standard 5 in Table A of the report;

·         the standards for vehicle testing are applied as per Standard 6 in Table A of the report;

·         the provision of CCTV in vehicles is applied as per Standard 7 in Table A of the report;

·         the standards for Executive hire are applied as per Standard 8 in Table A of the report;

·         the standards for Executive hire are applied as per Standard 8 in Table A of the report;

·         vehicle design standards are applied as per Standard 9 in Table A of the report;

·         vehicle conditions are applied as per Appendix 2 of the report and Standard 10 in Table A of the report; and

·         the implementation dates for standards and conditions contained within the report within Table A, be applied.

 

(3)    That the Equalities Impact Assessment, as set out at Appendix 3 to the report, be noted.

50.

Motion Submitted by the Labour Group - End Misogyny and Violence against Women and Girls

 

The Council notes:

 

·            Across the UK misogyny, harassment and violence towards women and girls is endemic.

 

·            Like women and girls across the country, our residents suffer harassment and abuse every single day. A 2021 YouGov national survey on behalf of UN Women UK found that among women aged 18-24, 97% said they had been sexually harassed, while 80% of women of all ages said they had experienced sexual harassment in public spaces.

 

·            The Office for National Statistics reported that last year alone 618,000 women were victims of a sexual assault or an attempted sexual assault by a man.

 

·            In the year to March 2020, just 1.4% of rape cases recorded by police resulted in a suspect being charged (or receiving a summons).

 

·            That the Law Commission is currently reviewing all current hate crime legislation to consider whether any additional characteristics, including misogyny, should be granted legal protection, and is due to report back to Parliament in 2021.

 

·            The Government announced in March that from Autumn Police Forces will record misogyny as a hate crime on an ‘experimental basis’, following years of Campaigning from Women’s Groups and campaigners.

 

·            In Trafford, the birthplace of Emeline Pankhurst, we are proud of our history and connections to the Women’s rights movement. We want Trafford to be a safe place for our women and girls and will support organisations who have continually fought for the safety and protection of women.

 

·            Studies have shown that the intersectional nature of discrimination means that women with additional protected characteristics, such as those who are from Black, Asian or Ethnic Minority communities, disabled or LGBT+, are even more likely to experience harassment, discrimination and abuse.

 

The Council resolves:

 

·            To ensure that Trafford Council continues to do everything in its power to build a borough free from misogyny and violence against women and girls.

 

·            It is vital that women’s and girl’s voices are heard; and that the Council will bring forward a process that proactively encourages and listens to women’s voices across the wards. This task force will involve all women Councillors.

 

·            That the newly refreshed Domestic Abuse strategy will strengthen support for victims, and will deliver safe accommodation for women and their children in Trafford.

 

·            To call on the Government to listen to the lived experience of women and girls across our country and to urgently act on any recommendations the commission makes to strengthen the law on hate crime, and to reform legislation around harassment to recognise as an offence a ‘course of conduct’ which targets women and girls in their community.

 

·            To call on the Government to provide the legislation, resource and funding for police forces across the UK to effectively tackle harassment, misogyny and domestic abuse.

 

·            To call on Greater Manchester Police to record harassment of women as a hate crime as soon as possible.

 

·            To adopt the Greater Manchester’s recently published Violence against Women and Girls Strategy.

 

·            To become a White Ribbon Accredited Organisation.

Minutes:

It was moved and seconded that:

 

         The Council notes:

 

·            Across the UK misogyny, harassment and violence towards women and girls is endemic.

 

·            Like women and girls across the country, our residents suffer harassment and abuse every single day. A 2021 YouGov national survey on behalf of UN Women UK found that among women aged 18-24, 97% said they had been sexually harassed, while 80% of women of all ages said they had experienced sexual harassment in public spaces.

 

·            The Office for National Statistics reported that last year alone 618,000 women were victims of a sexual assault or an attempted sexual assault by a man.

 

·            In the year to March 2020, just 1.4% of rape cases recorded by police resulted in a suspect being charged (or receiving a summons).

 

·            That the Law Commission is currently reviewing all current hate crime legislation to consider whether any additional characteristics, including misogyny, should be granted legal protection, and is due to report back to Parliament in 2021.

 

·            The Government announced in March that from Autumn Police Forces will record misogyny as a hate crime on an ‘experimental basis’, following years of Campaigning from Women’s Groups and campaigners.

 

·            In Trafford, the birthplace of Emeline Pankhurst, we are proud of our history and connections to the Women’s rights movement. We want Trafford to be a safe place for our women and girls and will support organisations who have continually fought for the safety and protection of women.

 

·            Studies have shown that the intersectional nature of discrimination means that women with additional protected characteristics, such as those who are from Black, Asian or Ethnic Minority communities, disabled or LGBT+, are even more likely to experience harassment, discrimination and abuse.

 

The Council resolves:

 

·            To ensure that Trafford Council continues to do everything in its power to build a borough free from misogyny and violence against women and girls.

 

·            It is vital that women’s and girl’s voices are heard; and that the Council will bring forward a process that proactively encourages and listens to women’s voices across the wards. This task force will involve all women Councillors.

 

·            That the newly refreshed Domestic Abuse strategy will strengthen support for victims, and will deliver safe accommodation for women and their children in Trafford.

 

·            To call on the Government to listen to the lived experience of women and girls across our country and to urgently act on any recommendations the commission makes to strengthen the law on hate crime, and to reform legislation around harassment to recognise as an offence a ‘course of conduct’ which targets women and girls in their community.

 

·            To call on the Government to provide the legislation, resource and funding for police forces across the UK to effectively tackle harassment, misogyny and domestic abuse.

 

·            To call on Greater Manchester Police to record harassment of women as a hate crime as soon as possible.

 

·            To adopt the Greater Manchester’s recently published Violence against Women and Girls Strategy.

 

·            To become a White Ribbon Accredited Organisation.”

 

Following a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 50.

51.

Motion Submitted by the Labour Group - Future Trafford Park and Just Transition to a Greener Economy

 

Council recognises that in order to tackle the climate crisis we must tackle the emissions caused by industrial practices and ensure a just transition to a greener economy. In Trafford this need is particularly acute as the home of Trafford Park, a key economic centre in the north-west region but also a major driver of carbon emissions in Trafford.

 

Whilst many of the levers needed to drive this transition are controlled by national government, Council recognises that there are steps we can take locally to support this work and facilitate change in Trafford Park.

 

Council therefore welcomes news of the Local Authority’s three successful bids to the Greater Manchester Evergreen Fund under the umbrella of ‘Future Trafford Park’ which focus on the following issues:

 

-     Low Carbon Park: to identify the opportunity for new, carbon neutral and sustainable forms of power generation in the Park and potential sites. The investment and job creation potential of a low carbon Park will also be identified in terms of the green economy and its facets; along with practical measures for how existing businesses can future-proof to achieve a low carbon Park.

 

-       Greening Trafford Park: produce a ‘greening’ infrastructure framework for the Park to reduce carbon emissions through environmental and infrastructure improvements. This will cover measures to improve the visual appearance of the Park through sustainable greening, and improvements to transport infrastructure focusing on active travel, public transport and the better utilisation of the existing rail line and stations.

 

   Trafford Wharfside Development Framework: produce a Development Framework; with accompanying Delivery Strategy and Masterplan with design code, to identify how this important area should operate as a ‘place’, guide future development and enable the Council to facilitate the delivery of opportunity sites in a planned and sustainable way.

 

In particular Council appreciates that the Low Carbon Park element of this work is crucial to working towards a just transition and securing a greener future for Trafford Park.

 

Council notes that the successful bids will fund activity to develop business cases to move all three strands of our ‘Greening Trafford Park’ work forward. Council requests that a briefing is offered to all members by those preparing the business case for broader investment once they are appointed and work is underway.

Minutes:

It was moved and seconded that:

 

“Council recognises that in order to tackle the climate crisis we must tackle the emissions caused by industrial practices and ensure a just transition to a greener economy. In Trafford this need is particularly acute as the home of Trafford Park, a key economic centre in the north-west region but also a major driver of carbon emissions in Trafford.

 

Whilst many of the levers needed to drive this transition are controlled by national government, Council recognises that there are steps we can take locally to support this work and facilitate change in Trafford Park.

 

Council therefore welcomes news of the Local Authority’s three successful bids to the Greater Manchester Evergreen Fund under the umbrella of ‘Future Trafford Park’ which focus on the following issues:

 

-      Low Carbon Park: to identify the opportunity for new, carbon neutral and sustainable forms of power generation in the Park and potential sites. The investment and job creation potential of a low carbon Park will also be identified in terms of the green economy and its facets; along with practical measures for how existing businesses can future-proof to achieve a low carbon Park.

 

-        Greening Trafford Park: produce a ‘greening’ infrastructure framework for the Park to reduce carbon emissions through environmental and infrastructure improvements. This will cover measures to improve the visual appearance of the Park through sustainable greening, and improvements to transport infrastructure focusing on active travel, public transport and the better utilisation of the existing rail line and stations.

 

-      Trafford Wharfside Development Framework: produce a Development Framework; with accompanying Delivery Strategy and Masterplan with design code, to identify how this important area should operate as a ‘place’, guide future development and enable the Council to facilitate the delivery of opportunity sites in a planned and sustainable way.

 

In particular Council appreciates that the Low Carbon Park element of this work is crucial to working towards a just transition and securing a greener future for Trafford Park.

 

Council notes that the successful bids will fund activity to develop business cases to move all three strands of our ‘Greening Trafford Park’ work forward. Council requests that a briefing is offered to all members by those preparing the business case for broader investment once they are appointed and work is underway.”

 

Following a debate on the matter, the Motion was put to the vote which was carried unanimously.

 

RESOLVED: That Council recognises that in order to tackle the climate crisis we must tackle the emissions caused by industrial practices and ensure a just transition to a greener economy. In Trafford this need is particularly acute as the home of Trafford Park, a key economic centre in the north-west region but also a major driver of carbon emissions in Trafford.

 

Whilst many of the levers needed to drive this transition are controlled by national government, Council recognises that there are steps we can take locally to support this work and facilitate change in Trafford Park.

 

Council therefore welcomes news  ...  view the full minutes text for item 51.

52.

Motion Submitted by the Conservative Group - GMCA Scrutiny

 

This Council notes that:

 

-         The Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) is the combined authority for Greater Manchester and is jointly run by the leaders of the ten Greater Manchester districts along with the elected Mayor;

 

-         Trafford residents are further directly affected by GMCA as it has a range of boards, panels and committees which look specifically at areas like transport, health and social care, planning and housing;

 

-         GMCA has 3 Overview and Scrutiny Committees which are the Greater Manchester Corporate Issues and Reform Overview and Scrutiny Committee, the Greater Manchester Economy, Business Growth and Skills Overview and Scrutiny Committee and the Greater Manchester Housing Planning and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee. There are also other committees which perform a scrutiny function such as the Police, Fire and Crime Panel;

 

-         The role of the scrutiny committees is to review or scrutinise decisions made, or other actions taken by the GMCA and the Mayor; to make reports or recommendations to the GMCA or the Mayor concerning the discharge of their functions that are the responsibility of the GMCA; to make reports or recommendations to the GMCA or the Mayor on matters that affect the GMCA's area or the inhabitants of the area; to Call-In decisions made by the GMCA or the Mayor and to establish formal sub committees or informal task and finish groups if they wish;

 

-         To make scrutiny committee meetings quorate, two-thirds, that is ten committee members must be present for a meeting to be quorate.  The two thirds requirement also applies to sub committees; and

 

-         From 1 January to 5 November 2021, 3 out of 6 Greater Manchester Economy, Business Growth and Skills Overview and Scrutiny Committee meetings have been cancelled, 3 out of 6 Greater Manchester Economy, Business Growth and Skills Overview and Scrutiny Committee meetings have been cancelled and 3 out of 9 Greater Manchester Housing Planning and Environment Overview and Scrutiny meetings have been cancelled.

 

This Council believes that:

 

-         The scrutiny committees have not been able to undertake their scrutiny function effectively due to the number of meetings being cancelled due to non-attendance by Members; and

 

-         Article 7 of The Combined Authorities (Overview and Scrutiny Committees, Access to Information and Audit Committees) Order 2017 which imposes a duty on a combined authority to respond to reports and recommendations of overview and scrutiny committee is being impeded through a reduction in the volume of reports and recommendations being produced due to cancelled meetings.

 

This Council resolves:

 

-         For the Chief Executive of the Council to write to the Mayor of Greater Manchester, the Chief Executive of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities to request that:

 

-         The Mayor of Greater Manchester attends scrutiny committee meetings when he has indicated that he would do so; and

 

-         Scrutiny arrangements with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority are improved and that the promised review of scrutiny arrangements in Greater Manchester is a  ...  view the full agenda text for item 52.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

It was moved and seconded that:

 

“This Council notes that:

 

-         The Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) is the combined authority for Greater Manchester and is jointly run by the leaders of the ten Greater Manchester districts along with the elected Mayor;

 

-         Trafford residents are further directly affected by GMCA as it has a range of boards, panels and committees which look specifically at areas like transport, health and social care, planning and housing;

 

-         GMCA has 3 Overview and Scrutiny Committees which are the Greater Manchester Corporate Issues & Reform Overview and Scrutiny Committee, the Greater Manchester Economy, Business Growth and Skills Overview and Scrutiny Committee and the Greater Manchester Housing Planning and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee. There are also other committees which perform a scrutiny function such as the Police, Fire and Crime Panel;

 

-         The role of the scrutiny committees is to review or scrutinise decisions made, or other actions taken by the GMCA and the Mayor; to make reports or recommendations to the GMCA or the Mayor concerning the discharge of their functions that are the responsibility of the GMCA; to make reports or recommendations to the GMCA or the Mayor on matters that affect the GMCA's area or the inhabitants of the area; to Call-In decisions made by the GMCA or the Mayor and to establish formal sub committees or informal task and finish groups if they wish;

 

-         To make scrutiny committee meetings quorate, two-thirds, that is ten committee members must be present for a meeting to be quorate.  The two thirds requirement also applies to sub committees; and

 

-         From 1 January to 5 November 2021, 3 out of 6 Greater Manchester Economy, Business Growth and Skills Overview and Scrutiny Committee meetings have been cancelled, 3 out of 6 Greater Manchester Corporate Issues and Reform Overview and Scrutiny Committee meetings have been cancelled and 3 out of 9 Greater Manchester Housing Planning and Environment Overview and Scrutiny meetings have been cancelled.

 

This Council believes that:

 

-         The scrutiny committees have not been able to undertake their scrutiny function effectively due to the number of meetings being cancelled due to non-attendance by Members; and

 

-         Article 7 of The Combined Authorities (Overview and Scrutiny Committees, Access to Information and Audit Committees) Order 2017 which imposes a duty on a combined authority to respond to reports and recommendations of overview and scrutiny committee is being impeded through a reduction in the volume of reports and recommendations being produced due to cancelled meetings.

 

This Council resolves:

 

-         For the Chief Executive of the Council to write to the Mayor of Greater Manchester, the Chief Executive of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities to request that:

 

-         The Mayor of Greater Manchester attends scrutiny committee meetings when he has indicated that he would do so; and

 

-         Scrutiny arrangements with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority are improved and that the promised review of scrutiny arrangements  ...  view the full minutes text for item 52.

53.

Motion Submitted by the Conservative Group - Public Consultations

 

This Council notes that:

 

-         Public Consultations are a vital way of getting residents involved and influencing important local decisions. Consulting ensures better decisions, builds understanding and helps progress towards consensus and should be at a stage when there is still scope to influence policy outcome. Considering stakeholders’ views early into the process, stimulates debate and helps ensure all policy options are taken into account.

 

-         Trafford Council primarily uses the online platform ‘Citizen Space’ to host its public consultations. 

 

 This Council believes that:

 

-         More thought needs to be given on when public consultations are held and how long they run for. Conducting important consultations such as on the Hale and Sale Moor Place Plans, during the summer months of a pandemic for example will not achieve the level of engagement desired; and

 

-         Trafford Council relies predominantly on people looking for information and visiting Council and social media platforms. A more proactive approach, such as a direct mail shot would encourage greater involvement.

 

This Council resolves:

 

-         To listen to and engage with all residents and not the selected few;

 

-         To  review when public consultations take place and how long they are open for; and

 

-         To ensure groups that need to be included in consultations are included with the option to either send a consultation response back digitally or via a paper-based copy free of charge.

Minutes:

        RESOLVED: That the Council notes that the Motion has been withdrawn.

54.

Motion Submitted by the Green Party Group - Bikeability Training for Children Who Missed Out During the COVID-19 Pandemic

 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, 4,729 Year 6 pupils missed out on Bikeability training among the 2019-20 and 2020-21 year groups in Trafford. The cost of training the children is normally covered by a grant from the Department for Transport (£40 per child trained).

 

This Council will:

 

-       work with Trafford’s secondary schools to ensure that every child, that has previously missed out and is able to participate, receives Bikeability (or equivalent) training prior to starting Year 10.

 

-       work with TfGM, Sports England and other funding bodies to fund the training, or, as necessary, consider prioritising for funding as part of its 2021-22 budget.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

(Note: Before moving the Motion, Councillor Welton declared a personal interest in the matter since his son had missed out on Bikeability training.)

 

(Note: After the amendment had been moved, the time being 9:17 p.m., the Mayor indicated that speeches on this matter would now be limited to a maximum of one minute per speaker.)

 

It was moved and seconded that:

 

“During the COVID-19 pandemic, 4,729 Year 6 pupils missed out on Bikeability training among the 2019-20 and 2020-21 year groups in Trafford. The cost of training the children is normally covered by a grant from the Department for Transport (£40 per child trained).

 

This Council will:

 

-        work with Trafford’s secondary schools to ensure that every child, that has previously missed out and is able to participate, receives Bikeability (or equivalent) training prior to starting Year 10.

 

-        work with TfGM, Sports England and other funding bodies to fund the training, or, as necessary, consider prioritising for funding as part of its 2021-22 budget.”

 

It was moved and seconded as an amendment that:

 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, 4,729 many Year 6 pupils missed out on Bikeability training among the 2019-20 and 2020-21 year groups in Trafford. The cost of training the children is normally covered by a grant from the Department for Transport (£40 per child trained).

 

This Council will:

 

-        work with Trafford’s secondary schools to ensure that every child, that has previously missed out and is able to participate, receives offer Bikeability (or equivalent) training prior to starting Year 10 for all children who missed out on this because it was not provided through their primary school due to the pandemic.

 

-        work with TfGM, Sports England and other funding bodies to fund the training, or, as necessary, consider prioritising for funding as part of its 2021-22 budget.

 

-        Fund this activity via the usual Department for Transport grant available for such training.

 

Following a debate on the matter, the amendment was agreed with the unanimous consent of the Council and subsequently, the substantive Motion was unanimously agreed.

 

RESOLVED: That during the COVID-19 pandemic, many Year 6 pupils missed out on Bikeability training among the 2019-20 and 2020-21 year groups in Trafford. The cost of training the children is normally covered by a grant from the Department for Transport (£40 per child trained).

 

This Council will:

 

-        Work with Trafford’s secondary schools to offer Bikeability (or equivalent) training prior to starting Year 10 for all children who missed out on this because it was not provided through their primary school due to the pandemic.

 

-        Fund this activity via the usual Department for Transport grant available for such training.

55.

Announcement - Vigil for the Elimination of Violence Against Women

Minutes:

Further to the debate that evening of the Motion to end misogyny and violence against women and girls (Minute No 50), the Mayor reminded Members of the vigil being held on 25 November 2021 at Trafford Town Hall. Reflecting on the emotive debate earlier and the importance of the issue the Mayor encouraged everyone to attend and advised that support was available from Trafford Domestic Abuse Services, telephone  0161 872 7368.