To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 13 November 2013 for signature by the Mayor as Chairman.

That the Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 13 November 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)        Condolences

With sadness, the Mayor referred to the death on 7 January of Paul Goggins, Member of Parliament for Wythenshawe and Sale East, a week after he collapsed while jogging. On behalf of the Council, the Mayor had written to his family to express sincere condolences.

The Mayor was also saddened by the recent death of John Dinsdale, Registrar at Sale Town Hall, who past Mayors would have known from the Borough’s Citizenship Ceremonies.

The Council stood in silence as a tribute to both Paul Goggins, an exceptional man who was respected across all parties and John Dinsdale, a dedicated officer of the Council.

(b)        New Year’s Honours

The Council joined the Mayor in congratulating those residents who had received recognition in the Queen's New Year Honours List, namely:

Mr. Lenox Green from Stretford, awarded the citation of Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his service to the community and in particular the Rainbow Christian Centre in Hulme; and

Dr. Diana Forrest from Sale, awarded the citation of Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) in recognition of her work in Public Health.

On behalf of the Council, the Mayor had written to convey congratulations for their achievements.

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 a question had been received under Procedure Rule 10.2.

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

“Trafford Council were chosen in October 2011 as one of the national SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disability) pathfinder councils. Please can you detail the total number of children in the Borough who come under the auspices of the Complex and Additional Needs Service, whose parents/carers have participated in this pathfinder project and as a result been moved onto a personal budget with broker support? Further can you confirm that this project is running smoothly and parents/carers are satisfied with the services and support they are receiving?”

Responding to the question, Councillor Miss Blackburn, Executive Member for Supporting Children and Families confirmed that children were now supported by a new system based on resource allocation and that all needs were assessed fairly. The Executive Member provided a breakdown on the number of children at each of the various stages in the system and commented that the new arrangements had been welcomed by parents and carers. Furthermore, the Council was pursuing a National Pilot Project with the Scope Charity which was anticipated to increase choice and purchasing power.

Councillor Freeman asked as a supplementary question “how the Council could justify writing to parents and carers to inform them that personal budgets were being cut by up to 50 per cent and not offering any means of appeal except by way of complaint; Could the Executive Member give an assurance that no families are missing out on services they are entitled to and also implement an appeals process?

Councillor Miss Blackburn reaffirmed that everything was being done fairly and properly and that parents and carers could appeal to the Council.

To consider the following petition requiring debate:

“Trafford Council confirmed it is terminating its contract, in agreement with Deckers, for water sports provision at the park and as such, Trafford Water Sports Centre will close on December 31.

We are asking Trafford Borough Council not to close this excellent, unique facility once considered the jewel of Trafford.”

Note: In accordance with the Council’s Petition Scheme set out in Part 4 of the Constitution, a petition containing more than 3,000 signatures will be debated by the full 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.

The full protocol for the debate of petitions at Council, as agreed by the Constitutional Review Group on 18 October 2010, is enclosed with the Summons for information.

The Council was requested to consider a Petition containing 3,216 signatures regarding the future of Trafford Water Sports Centre. The petition organiser, Kristy Walden, addressed the meeting and accentuated the main concerns of the signatories of the petition which had been worded as follows:

“Trafford Council confirmed it is terminating its contract, in agreement with Deckers, for water sports provision at the park and as such, Trafford Water Sports Centre will close on December 31.

We are asking Trafford Borough Council not to close this excellent, unique facility once considered the jewel of Trafford.”

Councillors Coupe, Freeman and Bowker responded on behalf of the political parties and the Leader of the Council, Councillor Colledge thanked Ms. Walden for introducing the petition that evening before summarising what the Council would now do.

Councillor Colledge professed that all Members had sympathy with the comments of the petition and there was a desire to protect services in harsh financial times. However, this could not be done at any cost and when there was an impact on other services. The Council recognised the importance of what had been done at the Water Park but it had become an issue due to the level of subsidy.

Wishing to allay concerns that the Council was going to close the gates and walk away the Leader affirmed that the Water Park will be maintained. The Council was assessing all options and by working with the community, business and leisure providers was expecting to make the facility more sustainable. Councillor Colledge reported that levels of interest had significantly improved and stated that it was now the time to find new and different ways of providing services at the Water Park.

To note the result of the Poll held on 16 January 2014 for the Broadheath ward of the Borough.

The Mayor reported on the result of the By-election for the Broadheath ward of the Borough held on 16 January 2014 and welcomed Councillor Helen Boyle to her first Council Meeting. The Council was advised that Councillor Boyle had made the prescribed Declaration of Acceptance of Office and would hold office until 2015.

RESOLVED: That the result of the By-election be noted.

To note the following changes to the membership of Council Committees agreed by the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader of the Council:

(a)        Councillor Myers appointed as a member of Planning Development Control Committee as a replacement for former Councillor Weston, with effect from 14 November 2013: and

(b)        Councillor Sharp replaced Councillor Mrs. Cooke as a member of Employment Committee for the period 28 November 2013 to 2 January 2014.

RESOLVED: That the Council notes the following changes to the membership of Council Committees agreed by the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader of the Council:

(a)    Councillor Myers appointed as a member of Planning Development Control Committee as a replacement for former Councillor Weston, with effect from 14 November 2013: and

(b)    Councillor Sharp replaced Councillor Mrs. Cooke as a member of Employment Committee for the period 28 November 2013 to 2 January 2014.

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

The Director of Legal and Democratic Services submitted a report recommending the Designation of Statutory Scrutiny Officer.

Further to the report, the Director of Legal and Democratic Services also requested the Council to consider the delegations of the Corporate Director for Environment, Transport and Operations over the period of his secondment to Transport for Greater Manchester.

RESOLVED –

(1)        That the Corporate Director of Transformation and Resources be designated as the Council’s Statutory Scrutiny Officer.

(2)        That the Corporate Director of Economic Growth and Prosperity be given delegated authority for those Council functions currently exercised by the Corporate Director for Environment, Transport and Operations for the period of his secondment.

To consider a report of the Chief Executive.

RESOLVED: That this matter be withdrawn from consideration at this meeting.

To note a report of the Director of Legal and Democratic Services.

The Chief Executive submitted a report informing Members of the arrangements for the Local Government and European Parliamentary elections in May 2014.

RESOLVED: That the Council notes the report and that polling for both the Local Government and European Parliamentary elections will take place on Thursday, 22 May 2014 and the Annual Meeting of the Council will be held on 11 June 2014.

To consider a report of the Executive Member for Finance and the Director of Finance which is expected to be referred from the Executive Meeting held earlier on 22 January 2014.

The Executive Member for Finance and the Director of Finance submitted a joint report seeking approval of a local Council Tax Support Scheme for the 2014/15 financial year. The report had been recommended to Council from the Executive Meeting held earlier on 22 January 2014.

RESOLVED: That the Council adopts the Council Tax Support scheme currently in operation, with the incorporation of the four changes detailed below for 2014/15:

(a)        The applicable amounts are uprated by 1% to keep them in line with inflationary increases to Housing Benefit and other welfare benefits, as set out in appendix 1 to the report.

(b)        That the Non-dependant deductions are frozen at their current rate, as set out in appendix 2.

(c)        That the remaining funding allocated to the £50,000 discretionary fund, as a one off in year, be rolled over into 2014/15. This is estimated to be between £30,000 and £40,000 by the end of the year.

(d)        That the temporary extra steps built into the Council Tax recovery process for residents on Council Tax Support are removed and brought into line with existing processes.

To note a report of the Executive Member for Supporting Children and Families, referred from the Executive Meeting held on 23 September 2013.

The Council received a report of the Executive Member for Supporting Children and Families presenting the Trafford Safeguarding Children Board’s Annual Report for 2012-13, which had been referred from the Executive Meeting held on 23 September 2013.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.  

This Council notes that Sale Water Park is to remain open and accessible and that the Council continues to maintain this important local asset. Under the previous contract arrangements Council tax payers subsidised to the tune of 73% a limited number of activities on the water, an arrangement that needed to change.

This Council welcomes the continued attempts by the Conservative administration , started early last year, to find an alternative provider to manage the water sports activities. This Council has received a significant number of expressions of interest in running the facility at no cost to the Council which will be actively pursued through a procurement process.

This Council has also enabled Sale Water Ski Club, Cheshire Jet Ski Club, the Senior Citizens Sailing Club, Sale Waterpark Angling Club and Trafford Youth Service to continue to use and enjoy the facilities available at Trafford Water Sports Centre whilst an alternative provider is being sought.

It was moved and seconded that:

“This Council notes that Sale Water Park is to remain open and accessible and that the Council continues to maintain this important local asset. Under the previous contract arrangements Council tax payers subsidised to the tune of 73% a limited number of activities on the water, an arrangement that needed to change.

This Council welcomes the continued attempts by the Conservative administration , started early last year, to find an alternative provider to manage the water sports activities. This Council has received a significant number of expressions of interest in running the facility at no cost to the Council which will be actively pursued through a procurement process.

This Council has also enabled Sale Water Ski Club, Cheshire Jet Ski Club, the Senior Citizens Sailing Club, Sale Waterpark Angling Club and Trafford Youth Service to continue to use and enjoy the facilities available at Trafford Water Sports Centre whilst an alternative provider is being sought.”

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

RESOLVED: That this Council notes that Sale Water Park is to remain open and accessible and that the Council continues to maintain this important local asset. Under the previous contract arrangements Council tax payers subsidised to the tune of 73% a limited number of activities on the water, an arrangement that needed to change.

This Council welcomes the continued attempts by the Conservative administration , started early last year, to find an alternative provider to manage the water sports activities. This Council has received a significant number of expressions of interest in running the facility at no cost to the Council which will be actively pursued through a procurement process.

This Council has also enabled Sale Water Ski Club, Cheshire Jet Ski Club, the Senior Citizens Sailing Club, Sale Waterpark Angling Club and Trafford Youth Service to continue to use and enjoy the facilities available at Trafford Water Sports Centre whilst an alternative provider is being sought.

This Council welcomes the new STaR joint procurement service (unique in the North West) between Trafford, Stockport and Rochdale Councils which is due to go live in February and will deliver saving over £2 million.

It will build on the Council's previous work leading the Procurement Hub for AGMA which has already achieved saving of £3 million, providing a return on investment of over 800%.

This Council:

(i)          welcomes this further example of delivering more for less in times of austerity; and

(ii)         condemns the Labour Group's shorted sighted approach in previous budgets that would have put these savings at risk, ultimately resulting in increased cuts to front line services.

It was moved and seconded that:

“This Council welcomes the new STaR joint procurement service (unique in the North West) between Trafford, Stockport and Rochdale Councils which is due to go live in February and will deliver saving over £2 million.

It will build on the Council's previous work leading the Procurement Hub for AGMA which has already achieved saving of £3 million, providing a return on investment of over 800%.

This Council:

(i)     welcomes this further example of delivering more for less in times of austerity; and

(ii)    condemns the Labour Group's shorted sighted approach in previous budgets that would have put these savings at risk, ultimately resulting in increased cuts to front line services.”

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

RESOLVED: That this Council welcomes the new STaR joint procurement service (unique in the North West) between Trafford, Stockport and Rochdale Councils which is due to go live in February and will deliver saving over £2 million.

It will build on the Council's previous work leading the Procurement Hub for AGMA which has already achieved saving of £3 million, providing a return on investment of over 800%.

This Council:

(i)     welcomes this further example of delivering more for less in times of austerity; and

(ii)    condemns the Labour Group's shorted sighted approach in previous budgets that would have put these savings at risk, ultimately resulting in increased cuts to front line services.

This Council notes;

·       The importance of clean air to the health of local residents in Trafford.

·       That the Committee on Medical Effects of Air Pollutants has estimated that up to 29,000 deaths per year are linked to poor air quality and a loss of life expectancy from birth of 6 months.

·       The recent decision of the World Health Organisation to classify outdoor air pollution as carcinogenic to humans.

·       That Asthma UK believes that pollution plays a role in causing asthma in children and adults, as well as being a trigger that can make peoples asthma worse.

·       That the British Heart Foundation states that evidence shows that air pollution can make existing heart conditions worse and can affect our cardiovascular system, causing heart attacks amongst vulnerable people.

·      That according to the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), Greater Manchester will not be in compliance with legal limits for nitrogen dioxide levels until 2020.

This Council further notes the DEFRA consultation on the future of Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) carried out in July and August 2013 which offered four options for consideration, including the Governments preferred option which would remove the requirement for local authorities to monitor air quality.

This Council further believes that the effective monitoring of air quality is an important part of creating evidence-based policies to address air quality issues.

Therefore, in light of the above this Council agrees to write to the Government condemning their preferred option and urge them to maintain the legal obligation for Local Authorities to monitor air quality.

It was moved and seconded that:

“This Council notes;

•       The importance of clean air to the health of local residents in Trafford.

•       That the Committee on Medical Effects of Air Pollutants has estimated that up to 29,000 deaths per year are linked to poor air quality and a loss of life expectancy from birth of 6 months.

•       The recent decision of the World Health Organisation to classify outdoor air pollution as carcinogenic to humans.

•       That Asthma UK believes that pollution plays a role in causing asthma in children and adults, as well as being a trigger that can make peoples asthma worse.

•       That the British Heart Foundation states that evidence shows that air pollution can make existing heart conditions worse and can affect our cardiovascular system, causing heart attacks amongst vulnerable people.

•      That according to the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), Greater Manchester will not be in compliance with legal limits for nitrogen dioxide levels until 2020.

This Council further notes the DEFRA consultation on the future of Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) carried out in July and August 2013 which offered four options for consideration, including the Governments preferred option which would remove the requirement for local authorities to monitor air quality.

This Council further believes that the effective monitoring of air quality is an important part of creating evidence-based policies to address air quality issues.

Therefore, in light of the above this Council agrees to write to the Government condemning their preferred option and urge them to maintain the legal obligation for Local Authorities to monitor air quality.”

It was moved and seconded as an amendment that:

“This Council notes;

•       The importance of clean air to the health of local residents in Trafford.

•       That the Committee on Medical Effects of Air Pollutants has estimated that up to 29,000 deaths per year are linked to poor air quality and a loss of life expectancy from birth of 6 months.

•       The recent decision of the World Health Organisation to classify outdoor air pollution as carcinogenic to humans.

•       That Asthma UK believes that pollution plays a role in causing asthma in children and adults, as well as being a trigger that can make peoples asthma worse.

•       That the British Heart Foundation states that evidence shows that air pollution can make existing heart conditions worse and can affect our cardiovascular system, causing heart attacks amongst vulnerable people.

•      That according to the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), Greater Manchester will not be in compliance with legal limits for nitrogen dioxide levels until 2020.

This Council further notes the DEFRA consultation on the future of Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) carried out in July and August 2013 which offered four options for consideration, including the Governments preferred option which would remove the requirement for local authorities to monitor air quality. The Association of Greater Manchester Authorities responded on behalf of all ten Authorities rejecting the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 73.

We strongly condemn the Government’s decision to withdraw funding from schemes such as Trafford Assist from 2015. These schemes provide vital assistance for those who find themselves in crisis or face unexpected emergency. It is the very poorest and most vulnerable that will be impacted by this and we therefore call on Council to make urgent representation to Government to rethink this policy. We would also ask that the Council detail what initiatives they plan to put in place to ensure that support will be available for those who find themselves in greatest need.

It was moved and seconded that:

“We strongly condemn the Government’s decision to withdraw funding from schemes such as Trafford Assist from 2015. These schemes provide vital assistance for those who find themselves in crisis or face unexpected emergency. It is the very poorest and most vulnerable that will be impacted by this and we therefore call on Council to make urgent representation to Government to rethink this policy. We would also ask that the Council detail what initiatives they plan to put in place to ensure that support will be available for those who find themselves in greatest need.”

It was moved and seconded as an amendment that:

“The Council is seriously concerned with the Government’s decision not to renew funding for schemes such as Trafford Assist from April 2015, at a time when welfare reform is progressed.

These schemes provide vital assistance for those who find themselves in crisis or face unexpected emergency.

It is the very poorest and most vulnerable that will be impacted by this and Council therefore instructs the Chief Executive to make urgent representation to Government to reconsider this decision, acknowledging that Council notes the increase in funding for Discretionary Housing Payments.

Should a change in direction not be forthcoming, Council further requests that the Executive detail what initiatives may be progressed to ensure that a level of support will continue to be available for those who find themselves in greatest need, beyond April 2015.”

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

RESOLVED: That the Council is seriously concerned with the Government’s decision not to renew funding for schemes such as Trafford Assist from April 2015, at a time when welfare reform is progressed.

These schemes provide vital assistance for those who find themselves in crisis or face unexpected emergency.

It is the very poorest and most vulnerable that will be impacted by this and Council therefore instructs the Chief Executive to make urgent representation to Government to reconsider this decision, acknowledging that Council notes the increase in funding for Discretionary Housing Payments.

Should a change in direction not be forthcoming, Council further requests that the Executive detail what initiatives may be progressed to ensure that a level of support will continue to be available for those who find themselves in greatest need, beyond April 2015.

Under this Government, Britain has paid too much in energy bills rising by almost £300 over the last couple of years. This has added greatly to the cost of living crises faced by most families here in Trafford and across the Country. The big energy companies are now raising their prices even more.

We, therefore, call on the Council to stand up for Trafford residents by calling on the Government to immediately adopt Labour’s policy commitment to freeze gas and electric bills for a period of 20 months. This freeze would be worth £120 to average Trafford Household. This would also allow the time to reset the energy market with the long term reform to help tackle the cost of living crises, and introduce a tough new energy regulator to ensure fairness in the future.

It was moved and seconded that:

“Under this Government, Britain has paid too much in energy bills rising by almost £300 over the last couple of years. This has added greatly to the cost of living crises faced by most families here in Trafford and across the Country. The big energy companies are now raising their prices even more.

We, therefore, call on the Council to stand up for Trafford residents by calling on the Government to immediately adopt Labour’s policy commitment to freeze gas and electric bills for a period of 20 months. This freeze would be worth £120 to average Trafford Household. This would also allow the time to reset the energy market with the long term reform to help tackle the cost of living crises, and introduce a tough new energy regulator to ensure fairness in the future.”

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

This Council notes the levels of mental illness are on the increase. This Council also notes that the number of elderly people is on the increase and with this larger numbers of people facing diagnosis of dementia and related mental health issues.

Against this backdrop we call upon Trafford Mental Health providers, Greater Manchester West and Trafford Commissioners to halt the proposals to remove the 21 older people’s mental health beds at Trafford General Hospital. The proposal to relocate these beds to Woodlands Hospital with a depletion of 26 beds across Bolton, Salford, and Trafford would mean patients and families having to travel miles to access services which could prolong recovery and reduce contact with family and friends.

This Council notes that the consultation on the loss of these services is now live but is concerned by the lack of public engagement for patients and carers. This consultation is due to close on 31 March 2014 yet there appears to be no evidence of genuinely informing the public of Trafford what these changes mean for them.

Trafford residents have already suffered a significant loss of service in their locality, this Council demands no more.

It was moved and seconded that:

“This Council notes the levels of mental illness are on the increase. This Council also notes that the number of elderly people is on the increase and with this larger numbers of people facing diagnosis of dementia and related mental health issues.

Against this backdrop we call upon Trafford Mental Health providers, Greater Manchester West and Trafford Commissioners to halt the proposals to remove the 21 older people’s mental health beds at Trafford General Hospital. The proposal to relocate these beds to Woodlands Hospital with a depletion of 26 beds across Bolton, Salford, and Trafford would mean patients and families having to travel miles to access services which could prolong recovery and reduce contact with family and friends.

This Council notes that the consultation on the loss of these services is now live but is concerned by the lack of public engagement for patients and carers. This consultation is due to close on 31 March 2014 yet there appears to be no evidence of genuinely informing the public of Trafford what these changes mean for them.

Trafford residents have already suffered a significant loss of service in their locality, this Council demands no more.”

It was moved and seconded as an amendment that:

“This Council notes the levels of mental illness are on the increase. This Council also notes that the number of elderly people is on the increase and with this larger numbers of people facing diagnosis of dementia and related mental health issues.

Against this backdrop we call upon Trafford Clinical Commissioning Group to ensure that the  consultation on the proposals to remove the 21 older peoples mental health beds at Trafford General Hospital is a genuine consultation that:

1.           Engages all affected communities;

2.           Fully explores the risks and implications for all Trafford residents;

3.           Fully review all alternative options;

4.           Results in revised proposals that protects and enhances the services offered to vulnerable older Trafford residents.

The proposal to relocate these beds to Woodlands Hospital with a depletion of 26 beds across Bolton, Salford, and Trafford would mean patients and families having to travel miles to access services which could prolong recovery and reduce contact with family and friends.

This Council notes that the consultation on the loss of these services is now live but is concerned by the lack of public engagement for patients and carers. This consultation is due to close on 31 March 2014 yet there appears to be no evidence of genuinely informing the public of Trafford what these changes mean for them.

Trafford residents have already suffered a significant loss of service in their locality, this Council demands no more. In addition, the Council demands that the consultation period is extended to 30 June 2014.”

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

RESOLVED: That this Council notes the levels of mental illness are on the increase.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 76.