The Mayor congratulated the Counselling and Family Centre, Hale and the Friends of Walkden Gardens, Sale on being awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service and remarked that it was a marvellous achievement which provided recognition of the excellent voluntary work undertaken in our Borough by many unsung heroes. The Council joined with the Mayor in thanking all concerned.

The Council condemns the decision made by the Conservative Government Secretary of State in overruling this Council's unanimous decision to refuse planning permission for the development of a Biomass Incineration Plant in Davyhulme.

This Conservative Government decision flies in the face of the thousands of local people who have campaigned against and opposed this Incineration Plant. The decision runs contrary to the definition of ''Localism'' and belies any notion of local democracy and the strong wishes of our community.

In light of the above Trafford Council is right to appeal through the Courts the Secretary of States ruling, and pledges to continue the fight to overturn this appalling decision.

Note: During the consideration of this matter it may be necessary, on legal advice, to move a resolution: 

“That the public be excluded from this meeting during consideration of this item because of the likelihood of disclosure of “exempt information” which falls within Paragraph 5 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended” - i.e. the disclosure of information in respect of which a claim to legal professional privilege could be maintained in legal proceedings, and the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

It was moved and seconded that:

        “The Council condemns the decision made by the Conservative Government Secretary of State in overruling this Council's unanimous decision to refuse planning permission for the development of a Biomass Incineration Plant in Davyhulme.

        This Conservative Government decision flies in the face of the thousands of local people who have campaigned against and opposed this Incineration Plant. The decision runs contrary to the definition of ''Localism'' and belies any notion of local democracy and the strong wishes of our community.

        In light of the above Trafford Council is right to appeal through the Courts the Secretary of States ruling, and pledges to continue the fight to overturn this appalling decision.”

It was moved and seconded as an amendment that:

        “The Council condemns the decision made by the Conservative Government Secretary of State in overruling this Council's unanimous decision to refuse planning permission for the development of a Biomass Incineration Plant in Davyhulme.

        This Conservative Government decision flies in the face of the thousands of local people who have campaigned against and opposed this Incineration Plant. The decision runs contrary to the definition of ''Localism'' and belies any notion of local democracy and the strong wishes of our community.

        In light of the above, this Council welcomes the decision of the ruling Conservative Group to put Party allegiances aside, and based on the legal advice they received, instructed the Acting Director of Legal and Democratic Services to appeal through the Courts the Secretary of States ruling, and through this action Trafford Council pledges to continue the fight to overturn this decision.”

The mover of the Motion signified acceptance of the amendment, subject to an addition to the third paragraph of “and with all party support” following the text “based on the legal advice”. With this understanding and with the consent of the mover and seconder of the amendment, the amendment was debated by the Council before being put to the vote and being agreed unanimously. Accordingly, the substantive Motion was unanimously approved.

RESOLVED: That the Council condemns the decision made by the Conservative Government Secretary of State in overruling this Council's unanimous decision to refuse planning permission for the development of a Biomass Incineration Plant in Davyhulme.

This Conservative Government decision flies in the face of the thousands of local people who have campaigned against and opposed this Incineration Plant. The decision runs contrary to the definition of ''Localism'' and belies any notion of local democracy and the strong wishes of our community.

In light of the above, this Council welcomes the decision of the ruling Conservative Group to put Party allegiances aside, and based on the legal advice they received, and with all party support, instructed the Acting Director of Legal and Democratic Services to appeal through the Courts the Secretary of States ruling, and through this action Trafford Council pledges to continue the fight to overturn this decision.