To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Council held on 22 May 2013 and the Extraordinary Meeting of the Council held on 19 June 2013 for signature by the Mayor as Chairman.

That the Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Council held on 22 May 2013 and the Extraordinary Meeting of the Council held on 19 June 2013, 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)        Councillors Hyman and Weston

Joining with the Mayor, the Council conveyed good wishes to Councillors Hyman and Weston who had recently been admitted to hospital.

(b)        Armed Forces Parade

On behalf of the Council, the Mayor had conveyed condolences to the family of Eric Poole, the standard bearer for the Trafford Branch of the Royal Naval Association, who collapsed in Eden Square and later died. Mr. Poole would be remembered for holding up high the standard of his well respected and beloved Royal Naval Association.

The Mayor thanked everyone who had assisted Mr. Poole and provided emergency care and the Council stood in silence for a few moments as a mark of respect.

(c)        Her Majesty the Queen’s Birthday Honours

The Council joined with the Mayor in congratulating those who reside or have a close connection with Trafford who were named in Her Majesty the Queen's Birthday Honours List, namely:

Dana Ross-Wawrzynski of Bowden, Executive Head Teacher, Altrincham Grammar School for Girls, awarded a damehood for services to Education;

Victoria Beer, Executive Principal, Ashton upon Mersey School, awarded the citation of Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE) for services to Education;

Joseph Fogg of Sale, awarded the citation of Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to Valuation.

Poet Basir Sultan Kazmi of Sale, awarded the citation of Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to Literature;

Abubakar Chunara of Old Trafford, awarded the MBE for services to the Muslim Community in Trafford;

Mary Blackburn of Bowdon, awarded the citation of Medallist of the Order of the British Empire (BEM) for services to the community;

Frank Stanley Tolley of Sale, awarded the BEM for services to museums and the community; and

Noel White of Hale, awarded the BEM for services to football.

The Mayor indicated he had written to convey congratulations to the recipients for their achievements and richly deserved recognition.

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 2 questions had been received under Procedure Rule 10.2.

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

"How many social housing tenants in Trafford are affected by the bedroom tax and how many of these are currently behind with rent payments?"

In response, Councillor Anstee the Executive Member for Finance reported that 2,354 working age tenants were affected by the Government’s rules on under-occupancy, however, figures for those in arrears were not currently available. The Executive Member assured the Council that officers would raise the issue at the Strategic Housing Partnership Meeting being held the following week.

As a supplementary question, Councillor Duffield asked how many of those affected by the rules need a one bedroom property and how long those that were unsuccessful with their application for a discretionary housing payment would have to wait. Councillor Anstee advised that this matter would also be followed up and reaffirmed the Council’s collaborative approach with partners to housing in the borough.

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

"It has been reported recently in the press that permission has been granted for an energy firm to invest in exploring for shale gas near Barton Aerodrome, which borders Trafford. If successful it is expected that the firm will then seek permission to start fracking to extract the gas as an energy resource.

The fracking technique when unregulated has been blamed for significant environmental damage in the US and minor earthquakes from exploratory Fracking operations near Blackpool. However, fracking has the potential to generate significant income and job opportunities to local communities."

What is the view of the Trafford Executive member?”

Councillor Mitchell, Executive Member for Highways and Environment responded to the question, advising that Trafford was not currently an active area for Shale gas extraction, although unknown locations in the borough may provide opportunities in the future. Any exploratory and extraction activity would require planning permission and compliance with Trafford’s Local Development Framework and associated policies. The Executive Member was confident that these would provide the necessary safeguards and in addition, would ask officers and the Greater Manchester Minerals and Waste Planning Unit to monitor the situation.

Councillor Mrs. Brophy referred to compensation for people living near to Fracking sites and asked as a supplementary question whether the Council was exploring these payment packages. In response, Councillor Mitchell indicated that until such a time the matter was an unknown, however, the Council would look to realise all benefits should the issue arise.

To consider a report of the Acting Director of Legal and Democratic Services.

The Acting Director of Legal and Democratic Services and Monitoring Officer submitted a report advising on the appointment of a Co-opted Member of Standards Committee and a process to be undertaken to fill the Independent Member vacancy.

RESOLVED –

(1)        That the appointment of Councillor Tony Rudden as a Parish Co-opted Member of Standards Committee with immediate effect, be endorsed.

(2)        That approval be given for advertisement of the vacant Independent Member post, and that the Chairman of Standards Committee and the Monitoring Officer bring forward a recommended appointment for Council’s consideration in due course.

To consider a report of the Executive Member for Community Health and Wellbeing.

The Executive Member for Community Health and Wellbeing submitted a report proposing changes to the membership of the Trafford Health and Wellbeing Board. The report outlined the rationale for inviting Providers to join the Board as well as outlining the potential Providers who had been identified as key members.

RESOLVED: That the proposed changes to the membership of the Trafford Health and Wellbeing Board be approved and that its membership now comprise:

Executive Member for Community Health and Wellbeing (Chairman)

Executive Member for Adult Social Services

Executive Member for Supporting Children and Families

Shadow Executive Member for Community Health and Wellbeing

Accountable Officer Trafford Clinical Commissioning Group (Vice-Chairman)

Trafford Representative, NHS England Area Team

Corporate Director of Children, Families and Wellbeing*

Director of Public Health*

Chair of Health Watch Trafford*

Director of Commissioning, Clinical Commissioning Group

Representative, Central Manchester Foundation Trust

Representative, University Hospital of South Manchester

Representative, Pennine Community Care Foundation Trust

Representative, Greater Manchester West Mental Health Foundation Trust

Representative, Trafford’s Third Sector

* Denotes that this position must be represented on the Health and Wellbeing Board as per the Health and Social Care Act 2012

To consider the attached referral from the Planning Development Control Committee held on 13 June 2013.

The Council considered a report referred from the Planning Development Control Committee held on 13 June 2013 seeking to extend the Chief Planning Officer’s Scheme of Delegation.

RESOLVED: That the proposed amendments to the Scheme of Delegation be approved to allow the Chief Planning Officer to determine all prior approval applications submitted following the recent changes to permitted development rights following the introduction of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Amendment) (England) Order 2013.

To consider a report of the Acting Director of Legal and Democratic Services

(Note – a copy of the recommended revised procedure rules is available on the Council’s website. They can be found on the agenda pages for this meeting)

The Acting Director of Legal and Democratic Services and Monitoring Officer submitted a report recommending a number of changes to the Financial Procedure Rules which form part of the Council’s Constitution.

RESOLVED –

(1)        That the amended Financial Procedure Rules be approved.

(2)        That the Acting Director of Legal and Democratic Services be authorised to amend the Constitution of the Council in accordance with and as a consequence of this decision.

To consider a joint report of the Executive Member for Finance and the Director of Finance, as recommended to the Council by the Executive and the Accounts and Audit Committee meetings held on 24 and 27 June 2013, respectively.

The Council received a joint report of the Executive Member for Finance and the Director of Finance reviewing treasury activities for the past financial year, in accordance with the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) Code of Practice. The report had been considered by the Executive on 24 June 2013 and the Accounts and Audit Committee on 27 June 2013.

RESOLVED: That the Council notes:

(i)     the Treasury Management activities undertaken in 2012/13;

(ii)    that no prudential limits were breached during 2012/13; and

(iii)    that both the CIPFA Code of Practice on Treasury Management and CIPFA Prudential Code for Capital Finance were fully complied with.

To receive a report from the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Accounts and Audit Committee.

The Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Accounts and Audit Committee submitted a report summarising the work undertaken by the Committee during the year and its impact. The report also provided assurance to the Council on the fulfilment of the Committee’s responsibilities.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Chief Executive.

The Chief Executive submitted a report and appendix presenting the recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel in relation to amendments to the Scheme of Members’ Allowances.

RESOLVED –

(1)        That the Panel’s recommendations, as set out below,  to amend the Council’s existing Members’ Allowances Scheme, be approved:

Paragraph 1 be amended to read:

1      This Scheme may be cited as the Trafford Borough Council Members’ Allowances Scheme and shall take effect on 1 July 2013.

And that paragraph 10 be amended to read:

Annual Adjustment

10    (1)    The Members’ Allowance scheme, including the Dependants’       Carers’ Allowance, will be adjusted annually each year and the allowances (excluding travelling and subsistence         allowance) will be increased by the amount of the annual pay      award by the National Joint Council for Local Government Service for that year.

        (2)    The annual adjustment in 10(1) shall take place for the years       commencing 1 April 2014, 2015 and 2016.

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

This Council affirms its commitment to making our roads as safe as possible for all road users. It notes widespread public interest in the issue, and the concerns of the public documented by Kate Green MP as part of her Safer Trafford Streets campaign. The Council commits to taking action to: work with the police to tackle dangerous and inconsiderate parking; present, within two months, a timetable for dealing with the road repairs and improvements acknowledged to be necessary in its response to the dossier prepared by Kate Green MP; implement as a first stage 20 mph speed limit outside all schools and draw up a list of residential areas which would benefit from 20 mph limit which will have positive road safety benefits for residents; adopt road calming measures on selected roads where deemed to be dangerous: and work with the police to install cameras and speed warning signs where it is recognised they are appropriate; develop improved safety schemes for cyclist who use our roads , and will work with schools, community groups, the emergency services, Kate Green MP and others to promote road safety.

It was moved and seconded that:

“this Council affirms its commitment to making our roads as safe as possible for all road users. It notes widespread public interest in the issue, and the concerns of the public documented by Kate Green MP as part of her Safer Trafford Streets campaign. The Council commits to taking action to: work with the police to tackle dangerous and inconsiderate parking; present, within two months, a timetable for dealing with the road repairs and improvements acknowledged to be necessary in its response to the dossier prepared by Kate Green MP; implement as a first stage 20 mph speed limit outside all schools and draw up a list of residential areas which would benefit from 20 mph limit which will have positive road safety benefits for residents; adopt road calming measures on selected roads where deemed to be dangerous: and work with the police to install cameras and speed warning signs where it is recognised they are appropriate; develop improved safety schemes for cyclist who use our roads , and will work with schools, community groups, the emergency services, Kate Green MP and others to promote road safety.”

It was moved and seconded as an amendment that:

“this Council affirms its commitment to making our roads as safe as possible for all road users.

It notes widespread public interest in the issue, and the concerns of the recent Safer Trafford Streets campaign.

The Council commits to taking action to:

·     work with the police to tackle dangerous and inconsiderate parking;

·     present, within a reasonable timescale, a timetable for dealing with the road repairs and improvements outlined in its response to the report of the Safer Trafford Streets Campaign;

·     draw up a list of residential areas which may include schools and which would benefit from 20 mph limit which will have positive road safety benefits for residents;

·     adopt road calming measures on selected roads where analysis indicates they are appropriate;

·     work with the police to install cameras and speed warning signs where it is recognised they are appropriate; 

·     develop improved safety schemes for cyclist who use our roads; and

·     work with schools, community groups, the emergency services, MP’s and others to promote road safety.”

Following a debate on the matter, the amendment was agreed by general consent. Accordingly, the substantive Motion was declared carried.

RESOLVED: That this Council affirms its commitment to making our roads as safe as possible for all road users.

It notes widespread public interest in the issue, and the concerns of the recent Safer Trafford Streets campaign.

The Council commits to taking action to:

·     work with the police to tackle dangerous and inconsiderate parking;

·     present, within a reasonable timescale, a timetable for dealing with the road repairs and improvements outlined in its response to the report of the Safer Trafford Streets Campaign;

·     draw up a list of residential areas which may include schools and which would benefit from 20 mph limit which will have positive road safety benefits  ...  view the full minutes text for item 26.

This Council supports Trafford teaching staff who we recognise as highly skilled and dedicated in their work in producing excellent results in our Trafford schools.

However we are concerned about the damaging affects to teachers pay and conditions of service and pensions which is stretching their goodwill and leading to a crisis in morale, teacher recruitment and retention.

For the benefit of our school children it is essential that teacher goodwill is maintained and their morale lifted to ensure that we improve recruitment and retention which in turn will maintain the high level of achievement and results in our Trafford schools. We therefore call on the Secretary of State for Education Michael Gove to agree to hold meaningful discussions with teachers and teacher unions to avoid damaging industrial action by teachers which will be detrimental to our Trafford schools and Trafford school children.

It was moved and seconded that:

“this Council supports Trafford teaching staff who we recognise as highly skilled and dedicated in their work in producing excellent results in our Trafford schools.

However we are concerned about the damaging affects to teachers pay and conditions of service and pensions which is stretching their goodwill and leading to a crisis in morale, teacher recruitment and retention.

For the benefit of our school children it is essential that teacher goodwill is maintained and their morale lifted to ensure that we improve recruitment and retention which in turn will maintain the high level of achievement and results in our Trafford schools. We therefore call on the Secretary of State for Education Michael Gove to agree to hold meaningful discussions with teachers and teacher unions to avoid damaging industrial action by teachers which will be detrimental to our Trafford schools and Trafford school children.”

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

The Council condemns the Council Conservative Executive decision to axe the environmental enforcement operation delivered by the environmental team. This environmental team carries out a critical role in enforcing unacceptable behaviours some people exhibit, which contributes greatly in damaging our environment.

The environmental team tackle offenders who litter our streets, allow their dogs to foul the pavements, parks and open spaces, deal with abandoned cars and shopping trolleys, fly tipping and much more. The axing of this team will remove an essential deterrent and result in a deterioration of our environment within our communities. The work they also carry out such as street champions, Tidy Business awards, community tool chest and community events are vital and much needed part of the service we provide working with our local communities and businesses.

In light of the above the Council agrees to review the decision of the Executive and instructs the review examines a viable strategy to deliver environmental enforcement across Trafford. This review will look at a new reconfigured environmental team and how this will be funded. The review will be carried out over the next two months and a report brought back to this Council for decision in September with a clear recommendation on how this will be achieved.

[Note: As this item related to a matter currently under review by the Scrutiny Committee, Members of that Committee were advised not to participate in the discussion and to abstain from voting on this matter.] 

It was moved and seconded that:

“the Council condemns the Council Conservative Executive decision to axe the environmental enforcement operation delivered by the environmental team. This environmental team carries out a critical role in enforcing unacceptable behaviours some people exhibit, which contributes greatly in damaging our environment.

The environmental team tackle offenders who litter our streets, allow their dogs to foul the pavements, parks and open spaces, deal with abandoned cars and shopping trolleys, fly tipping and much more. The axing of this team will remove an essential deterrent and result in a deterioration of our environment within our communities. The work they also carry out such as street champions, Tidy Business awards, community tool chest and community events are vital and much needed part of the service we provide working with our local communities and businesses.

In light of the above the Council agrees to review the decision of the Executive and instructs the review examines a viable strategy to deliver environmental enforcement across Trafford. This review will look at a new reconfigured environmental team and how this will be funded. The review will be carried out over the next two months and a report brought back to this Council for decision in September with a clear recommendation on how this will be achieved.”

[Note: During the debate on the Motion, the time being 8.30 p.m., the Mayor indicated that speeches would now be restricted to a maximum of one minute each.]

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

The Council calls upon the Secretary State Jeremy Hunt to halt any decisions regarding the future of Trafford General Hospital threatened Accident and Emergency department.

There is a deepening national crisis across urgent care which indicates that more and more patients are forced to wait over 4 hours in A&E departments; this number has reached a 9 year high. Many more patients are left waiting on trolleys for treatment again for over 4 hours; this number has doubled since the election.

In our own local area between the week of 30 September 2012 and the week of 26 May 2013 University Hospital of South Manchester breached the 95% 4 hour target 31 weeks out of 35. For the same timescale Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust breached 30 out of 35 weeks. These NHS England figures clearly show that hospitals are struggling to cope with the flow of patients through A&E. To downgrade Trafford A&E will most certainly create further pressures on these hospitals.

[Note: Prior to the debate on this item, the time being 8.43 p.m., the Mayor indicated that the proposer and seconder of the Motion would each be permitted two minutes, whereas all other speeches on this matter would be limited to a maximum of one minute per speaker.]

It was moved and seconded that:

“the Council calls upon the Secretary of State Jeremy Hunt to halt any decisions regarding the future of Trafford General Hospital threatened Accident and Emergency department.

There is a deepening national crisis across urgent care which indicates that more and more patients are forced to wait over 4 hours in A&E departments; this number has reached a 9 year high. Many more patients are left waiting on trolleys for treatment again for over 4 hours; this number has doubled since the election.

In our own local area between the week of 30 September 2012 and the week of 26 May 2013 University Hospital of South Manchester breached the 95% 4 hour target 31 weeks out of 35. For the same timescale Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust breached 30 out of 35 weeks. These NHS England figures clearly show that hospitals are struggling to cope with the flow of patients through A&E. To downgrade Trafford A&E will most certainly create further pressures on these hospitals.”

It was moved and seconded as an amendment that:

“the Council calls upon the Secretary of State to reject the proposed closure of the A&E facilities at Trafford General Hospital.”

Following a debate on the matter, the amendment was agreed with the general consent of the Council. Accordingly, the substantive Motion was declared carried.

RESOLVED: That the Council calls upon the Secretary of State to reject the proposed closure of the A&E facilities at Trafford General Hospital.

The Mayor agreed to vary the order of business, as set out on in the Summons, to allow consideration of Agenda Item 11 (g) (Motion submitted by the Conservative Group) prior to 2 other Motions submitted by the Group.

This Council welcomes the forthcoming Ashes Test Match to be held this August at the prestigious new facilities of Lancashire County Cricket Club.  This has only been possible thanks to the foresight of Trafford Conservatives whose actions ensured the club could lever in substantial private sector investment thereby securing its future in Trafford. Had this Council followed the Labour Group view, this  facility would have been lost to Trafford forever, thereby forsaking tens of  millions of pounds worth of investment and thousands of jobs not just in Trafford, but beyond, for many decades to come. This Council thereby recognises all partners and groups who had the vision and conviction to safeguard our local economy by securing the future of the club.

It was moved and seconded that:

“this Council welcomes the forthcoming Ashes Test Match to be held this August at the prestigious new facilities of Lancashire County Cricket Club.  This has only been possible thanks to the foresight of Trafford Conservatives whose actions ensured the club could lever in substantial private sector investment thereby securing its future in Trafford. Had this Council followed the Labour Group view, this  facility would have been lost to Trafford forever, thereby forsaking tens of  millions of pounds worth of investment and thousands of jobs not just in Trafford, but beyond, for many decades to come. This Council thereby recognises all partners and groups who had the vision and conviction to safeguard our local economy by securing the future of the club.”

It was moved and seconded as an amendment that:

“this Council welcomes the forthcoming Ashes Test Match to be held this August at the prestigious new facilities of Lancashire County Cricket Club.  This has only been possible thanks to the foresight of Trafford Conservatives supported by Trafford Liberal Democrats, whose actions ensured the club could lever in substantial private sector investment thereby securing its future in Trafford. Had this Council followed the Labour Group view, this facility would have been lost to Trafford forever, thereby forsaking tens of  millions of pounds worth of investment and thousands of jobs not just in Trafford, but beyond, for many decades to come. This Council thereby recognises all partners and groups who had the vision and conviction to safeguard our local economy by securing the future of the club.”

Council debated the matter and received notice of a second amendment. Following the discussion on the amendment it was put to the vote and declared carried.

It was moved and seconded as a second amendment that:

“this Council welcomes the forthcoming Ashes Test Match to be held this August at the prestigious new facilities of Lancashire County Cricket Club.  This has only been made possible by the Conservative led Council who handed over £21 million from the sale of Council owned land to Tesco. This was done without consultation on whether Trafford residents wanted the Council to utilise, what is in effect, Council Tax payers’ money being spent on LCCC, which is a private members club, to redevelop their ground and members facilities. This at a time of austerity where Council have significantly cut frontline services and made their own staff redundant. It is the Labour Group view that this capital receipt should have been spent more wisely by investing directly into Trafford services, communities and town centres.”

The second amendment was put to the vote and declared lost. Subsequently, the substantive Motion was then declared carried.

RESOLVED: That this Council welcomes the forthcoming Ashes Test Match to be held this August at the prestigious new facilities of Lancashire County Cricket Club.  This has only been possible thanks to the foresight of Trafford Conservatives supported by Trafford Liberal Democrats, whose actions ensured the club could  ...  view the full minutes text for item 31.

This Council continues to be delighted with outcomes for Trafford’s school leavers aged 16-18 years. As at the end of May the Not in Education, Employment, or Training (NEET) for Trafford was 4.38% compared to 5.26% at the same time last year.  We have seen an increase in the percentage of young people participating in learning to 85.22% this May compared to 83.33% last May.  The percentage of young people whose destination is not known has fallen to 5.90% this May compared to 6.69% last May. In addition to this DFE has just published data showing the average NEET for Nov 12, Dec 12 and Jan 13 showing that during this period Trafford's NEET was 4.3% which was the lowest in the North West. This Council therefore offers thanks to Trafford’s Connexions staff for all their efforts thereby giving all youngsters the opportunity of better outcomes.

It was moved and seconded that:

“this Council continues to be delighted with outcomes for Trafford’s school leavers aged 16-18 years. As at the end of May the Not in Education, Employment, or Training (NEET) for Trafford was 4.38% compared to 5.26% at the same time last year.  We have seen an increase in the percentage of young people participating in learning to 85.22% this May compared to 83.33% last May. The percentage of young people whose destination is not known has fallen to 5.90% this May compared to 6.69% last May. In addition to this DFE has just published data showing the average NEET for Nov 12, Dec 12 and Jan 13 showing that during this period Trafford's NEET was 4.3% which was the lowest in the North West. This Council therefore offers thanks to Trafford’s Connexions staff for all their efforts thereby giving all youngsters the opportunity of better outcomes.”

Following speeches of support, the Motion was unanimously agreed by the Council.

RESOLVED: That this Council continues to be delighted with outcomes for Trafford’s school leavers aged 16-18 years. As at the end of May the Not in Education, Employment, or Training (NEET) for Trafford was 4.38% compared to 5.26% at the same time last year.  We have seen an increase in the percentage of young people participating in learning to 85.22% this May compared to 83.33% last May. The percentage of young people whose destination is not known has fallen to 5.90% this May compared to 6.69% last May. In addition to this DFE has just published data showing the average NEET for Nov 12, Dec 12 and Jan 13 showing that during this period Trafford's NEET was 4.3% which was the lowest in the North West. This Council therefore offers thanks to Trafford’s Connexions staff for all their efforts thereby giving all youngsters the opportunity of better outcomes.

This Council is pleased that the Government's recent spending announcement formally incorporates the funding model that will facilitate the delivery of a brand new Trafford Park Metrolink line. This line is essential to maximise connectivity between the vast numbers of businesses in Trafford Park with Greater Manchester’s workforce through a modern light rail transport network, thereby ensuring future economic growth and associated employment for Trafford and beyond. This Council now calls on the development of Metrolink line plans and the final financial adjustments within the announced model to ensure an early commencement of delivery.

[Note: Prior to the debate on this item, the time being 9.21 p.m., the Mayor indicated that all speeches would be limited to a maximum of one minute per speaker.]

It was moved and seconded that:

“this Council is pleased that the Government's recent spending announcement formally incorporates the funding model that will facilitate the delivery of a brand new Trafford Park Metrolink line. This line is essential to maximise connectivity between the vast numbers of businesses in Trafford Park with Greater Manchester’s workforce through a modern light rail transport network, thereby ensuring future economic growth and associated employment for Trafford and beyond. This Council now calls on the development of Metrolink line plans and the final financial adjustments within the announced model to ensure an early commencement of delivery.”

Following speeches of support, the Motion was unanimously agreed by the Council.

RESOLVED: That this Council is pleased that the Government's recent spending announcement formally incorporates the funding model that will facilitate the delivery of a brand new Trafford Park Metrolink line. This line is essential to maximise connectivity between the vast numbers of businesses in Trafford Park with Greater Manchester’s workforce through a modern light rail transport network, thereby ensuring future economic growth and associated employment for Trafford and beyond. This Council now calls on the development of Metrolink line plans and the final financial adjustments within the announced model to ensure an early commencement of delivery.