A maximum of 15 minutes will be allocated to public questions submitted in writing to Democratic Services (democratic.services@trafford.gov.uk) by 4 p.m. on the working day prior to the meeting. Questions must be relevant to items appearing on the agenda and will be submitted in the order in which they were received.

It was noted that no questions had been received for referral to the current meeting.

Members to give notice of any interest and the nature of that interest relating to any item on the agenda in accordance with the adopted Code of Conduct.

No declarations were made by Executive Members.

To receive and, if so determined, to approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 6^th January 2020.

RESOLVED – That the Minutes of the Meeting held on 6^th January 2020 be approved as a correct record.

To consider any matters referred by the Council or by the Overview and Scrutiny Committees.

To receive a report of the Chair of the Scrutiny Committee.

That the report and the proposed action plan be received, noted, and responded to in due course.

On behalf of the Scrutiny Committee, its Chair, Councillor Acton, introduced the key features of the report and action plan arising from the Committee’s review of the Executive’s draft Budget Proposals for 2020/21, thanking Members and officers for their participation in the process. The Deputy Leader thanked the Committee for its input, noting that a formal response would be made to the Action Plan in due course. In response to a question, it was agreed that clarification would be sought outside the meeting of the proposed timing for the Scrutiny Committee’s review of the capital Budget.

RESOLVED - That the report and the proposed action plan be received, noted, and responded to in due course.

To consider a report of the Executive Member for Housing and Regeneration.

NOTE 1: A related report is to be considered in Part II of this agenda.

1. That the Consultation Draft Civic Quarter Area Action Plan (CQ AAP) be approved for Regulation 18 public consultation for a period of no less than six weeks and that the Corporate Director of Place be authorised to carry out all necessary steps in relation to such consultation.

2. That it be resolved that the consultation draft Civic Quarter SPD dated October 2018 be withdrawn (and treated as cancelled) and is superseded by the draft CQ AAP with immediate effect.

3. That in principle support be provided for the making of a compulsory purchase order under section 226 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and section 13 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 to enable the redevelopment and regeneration of the site shown edged red on the plan in Appendix Two to the report.

4. That authority be delegated to the Corporate Director for Place in consultation with the Corporate Director of Governance and Community Strategy to take all steps necessary to enable a compulsory purchase order to be made including but not limited to:

(a) the carrying out of land referencing including without limitation the service of notices under section 16 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 and/or section 5A of the Acquisition of Land Act 1981;

(b) the authorisation of entry onto the Land and other land for the purpose of carrying out surveys pursuant to section 172 of the Housing and Planning Act 2016;

(c) the preparation of a draft statement of reasons;

(d) the preparation of a draft Order and Order Schedule; and

(e) the preparation of notices to owners, lessees and occupiers, site notices and any other notices required to be served and/or advertised in accordance with the Acquisition of Land Act 1981 should the Executive authorise the making of a compulsory purchase order.

5. That authority be delegated to the Corporate Director for Place to negotiate for the voluntary acquisition of land and rights over land needed to enable the Scheme to be delivered in advance of confirmation of a CPO, as if such CPO had been confirmed.

6. That authority be delegated to the Corporate Director for Place in consultation with the Corporate Director of Governance and Community Strategy to consider alternatives to the use of compulsory purchase powers.

7. That it be noted that before a compulsory purchase order is made a further detailed report will be brought back to Executive in line with all relevant procedures.

8. That the social, economic and environmental benefits be noted that are associated with the redevelopment and regeneration of the site shown edged red on the plan in Appendix Two to the report.

9. That it be noted that there may be other sites within the AAP area where a compulsory purchase order is required, including those which are identified as being long term vacant or in need of redevelopment and where CPO may assist in realising the full socio-economic benefits of the AAP.

The Executive Member for Housing and Regeneration submitted a report, supplemented by a presentation from the officers, relating to the proposed regeneration of Stretford / Old Trafford, which had been a long-standing priority for the Council. In particular, the Executive was asked to approve the consultation draft of a Civic Quarter Area Action Plan (AAP) for Regulation 18 consultation. The CQ AAP would form part of the Council’s adopted development plan, sitting alongside the adopted Core Strategy and in due course the emerging Trafford Local Plan. It would be the statutory starting point for planning decision making within the Civic Quarter boundary. The report also sought in principle approval to utilise the Council’s compulsory purchase order (CPO) powers to acquire the former B&Q site and facilitate the delivery of the CQ AAP.

An opportunity was provided for Members to raise questions on the report’s content. These centred on the environmental aspirations associated with the proposed development, traffic flows, and height and scale issues in relation to potential development

A supplementary report, providing financial information in relation to the proposed CPO, was considered in Part II of the meeting’s agenda.

The Executive was advised of correspondence which had been received in relation to the proposed CPO, and the officers provided a detailed briefing on the background to, and planning context related to, this correspondence, and its implications. In the light of this briefing, an updated set of recommendations was tabled for the Executive’s consideration.

            RESOLVED -

(1)       That the Consultation Draft Civic Quarter Area Action Plan (CQ AAP) be approved for Regulation 18 public consultation for a period of no less than six weeks and that the Corporate Director of Place be authorised to carry out all necessary steps in relation to such consultation.

(2)        That it be resolved that the consultation draft Civic Quarter SPD dated October 2018 be withdrawn (and treated as cancelled) and is superseded by the draft CQ AAP with immediate effect.

(3)        That in principle support be provided for the making of a compulsory purchase order under section 226 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and section 13 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 to enable the redevelopment and regeneration of the site shown edged red on the plan in Appendix Two to the report.

(4)       That authority be delegated to the Corporate Director for Place in consultation with the Corporate Director of Governance and Community Strategy to take all steps necessary to enable a compulsory purchase order to be made including but not limited to:

(a) the carrying out of land referencing including without limitation the service of notices under section 16 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 and/or section 5A of the Acquisition of Land Act 1981;

(b) the authorisation of entry onto the Land and other land for the purpose of carrying out surveys pursuant to section 172 of the Housing and Planning Act 2016;

            (c) the preparation of a draft statement of reasons;

                        (d)  ...  view the full minutes text for item 84.

To consider a report of the Executive Member for Environment, Air Quality and Climate Change.

1. That the current activity and progress to date to improve safety and air quality around schools be noted.

2. That the expected outcomes as set out in the report be noted.

3. That the initiatives and next steps in order to further improve safety and air quality be approved.

The Executive Member for Environment, Air Quality and Climate Change submitted a report which provided an update for the Executive on initiatives and activity supporting the Council’s commitment to road safety and improving air quality in and around schools in the Borough, and on the work resulting from the Safety Around Schools inter-departmental working group. In discussion, Members raised issues including: the timescale for potential of enhanced enforcement authority across Greater Manchester; the potential usage of funds arising from enforcement activity; the methodology used to select participating schools and the possibility of wider benefits arising from 20 MPH speed zones.

            RESOLVED -

(1)       That the current activity and progress to date to improve safety and air quality around schools be noted.

(2)       That the expected outcomes as set out in the report be noted.

(3)       That the initiatives and next steps in order to further improve safety and air quality be approved.

To consider a report of the Executive Member for Children’s Services.

That the investment outlined in the report and summarised in the Cost Benefit Analysis be agreed.

The Executive Member for Children’s Services submitted a report which proposed that Trafford Council embark on a three year programme of investment in Services for Children that focused on early intervention and help to families that are at risk, so as to ensure that children are safeguarded at the earliest point and to avoid the need for them to be taken into care.

In introducing the report, the Deputy Leader welcomed Jill McGregor, who had just commenced her service as the Council’s Corporate Director for Children’s Services.

Members broadly welcomed the proposals, acknowledging the importance of ongoing monitoring and evaluation to ensure that the investments proposed did in the event secure the envisaged service outcomes and cost benefits. It was noted that Scrutiny Committees could be well placed to assist with this ongoing evaluation.

RESOLVED - That the investment outlined in the report and summarised in the Cost Benefit Analysis be agreed.

Members considered reports of the Executive Member for Ault Social Care (as set out in the following Minutes) providing details of the proposed consultation exercises in respect of Fair Price for Care relating to Homecare and to Older People’s Residential and Nursing Care respectively for 2020-21. It was reported that a representation had been received seeking the reports’ withdrawal; but Members agreed that the proposed consultation process would be an appropriate vehicle for any objections or concerns to be raised.

To consider a report of the Executive Member for Adult Social Care.

That the following be approved for consultation, and further consideration in the light of consultation: an inflationary uplift of 4.86% to the hourly rate for standard homecare which will be an increase from £15.25 per hour to £15.99 per hour.

The Executive Member for Adult Social Care submitted a report which made recommendations regarding the annual uplift to the hourly rate paid to homecare providers in Trafford. It took into account both the inflationary uplift for standard homecare services in Trafford, and the enhancements to the homecare rate for selected providers as a result of the Homecare Transformation Programme, which commenced on 2^nd December 2019 and runs until 31^st March 2021. It was noted that consultation had taken place on the differential between the transformation and the standard rates; but that further consultation was required on the increase in the standard homecare rate.

RESOLVED - That the following be approved for consultation, and further consideration in the light of consultation: an inflationary uplift of 4.86% to the hourly rate for standard homecare which will be an increase from £15.25 per hour to £15.99 per hour.

To consider a report of the Executive Member for Adult Social Care.

That the following be approved for consultation, and further consideration in the light of consultation:

1. an inflationary uplift for purchased Residential and Nursing Home beds of  3.83% for 2020/21.
2. new bed rates for new spot placements from the 1^st April 2020.

·         £560 for a spot purchased residential bed

·         £626 for a spot purchased nursing bed

The Executive Member for Adult Social Care submitted a report which made proposals in respect of a changed approach to Fair Price for Care, which determines the bed rate for the following financial year. To date this rate had been based upon an inflationary uplift to the current bed price. Following further work on the variability in prices across Trafford, a different approach, as set out in the report, was now being is being proposed in order to support the sufficiency and sustainability of the market and the further embedding of the Residential Ethical Care Charter. It was noted that the approach would be consulted upon with residential and nursing care home providers, following Executive approval; and was therefore, even if approved, a provisional approach subject to consultation and further consideration.

RESOLVED - That the following be approved for consultation, and further consideration in the light of consultation:

1. an inflationary uplift for purchased Residential and Nursing Home beds of  3.83% for 2020/21.
2. new bed rates for new spot placements from the 1^st April 2020.

·         £560 for a spot purchased residential bed

·         £626 for a spot purchased nursing bed

To consider a report of the Executive Member for Finance and Investment and the Corporate Director of Finance and Systems.

The Executive Member for Finance and Investment and the Corporate Director of Finance and Systems submitted a report which informed Members of the current 2019/20 forecast outturn figures relating to both Revenue and Capital budgets. It also summarised the latest forecast position for Council Tax and Business Rates within the Collection Fund, and advised of a virement relating to the Capital Programme. In discussion Members raised issues including the pressures on demand-led services, and the proposed use of the Government’s “Brexit” grant.

            RESOLVED –

(1)       That the report and the changes to the Capital Programme and Asset Investment Fund as detailed in paragraphs 21 and 29 be noted.

(2)       That the virement be approved of £432,000 from within the Capital Programme to the Disabled Facilities Grant budget to help support the expenditure pressures in this area.

(3)       That the movements in reserves set out in paragraph 10 of the report be noted.

Motion   (Which may be amended as Members think fit):

            That the public be excluded from this meeting during consideration of the remaining items on the agenda, because of the likelihood of disclosure of “exempt information” which falls within one or more descriptive category or categories of the Local Government Act 1972, Schedule 12A, as amended by The Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006, and specified on the agenda item or report relating to each such item respectively.

RESOLVED - That the public be excluded from this meeting during consideration of the remaining items on the agenda, because of the likelihood of disclosure of “exempt information” which falls within one or more descriptive category or categories of the Local Government Act 1972, Schedule 12A, as amended by The Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006, and specified on the agenda item or report relating to each such item respectively.

To consider a report of the Executive Member for Housing and Regeneration.

NOTE: A related report is to be considered in Part I of this agenda.

The Executive Member for Housing and Regeneration submitted a report, supplementary to that considered in Part I of the meeting’s agenda, setting out a range of financial information related to the request in principle to utilise the Council’s compulsory purchase order (CPO) powers to acquire the former B&Q site and facilitate the delivery of the CQ AAP.

In considering the report, the Executive bore in mind the detailed briefing provided by the officers on correspondence which had been received in relation to the proposed CPO, and the context and implications of this correspondence. The substantive resolutions of the Executive on the updated recommendations presented to it are set out at Minute 84 above.