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)        Former Councillor Mrs. Eadie

It was with sorrow that the Mayor referred to the death of former Councillor and Mayoress Edith Eadie who had sadly passed away on Christmas Day. Mrs. Eadie had served on the Council as a Conservative Member from 1994 to 2008, representing the Davyhulme East Ward and was Mayoress during her late husband Councillor Frank Eadie’s Mayoral Year in 1986/87.

The Council stood for a moments silence and paid its respects to a former friend and colleague.

(b)        New Year’s Honours

The Mayor took the opportunity to recognise those residents named in Her Majesty the Queen's New Year Honours List, namely:

Member of Parliament for Altrincham and Sale West, Mr Graham Brady of Altrincham, was awarded a Knighthood for political and public service;

Professor Caroline Dive of Hale received the citation of Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE) for services to Cancer Research;

Professor Christopher Griffiths of Bowdon was awarded the citation of Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to dermatology;

Lou Cordwell of Sale was awarded the OBE for services to the Creative and Digital Economy;

Mrs. Elinor Chohan of Altrincham was awarded the citation of Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to Interfaith and Community Cohesion;

Mr. Antony Goodman of Hale Barns was awarded the MBE for services to International Trade and UK Exports;

Mr. Sean Ryan of Flixton was awarded the MBE for services to Refugee Resettlement; and

Mrs. Janice Moss of Hale received the British Empire Medal for voluntary services and fundraising for the Christie Hospital.

On behalf of the Council, the Mayor had written to convey the Council’s congratulations to all the recipients.

(c)        Executive Member for Highways, Parks and Environmental Services

The Leader of the Council reported that earlier that day he had appointed Councillor Brian Shaw as the Executive Member for Highways, Parks and Environmental Services, as a replacement for Councillor John Reilly who had elected to stand down due to illness.

For the time being, the Leader had decided not to appoint a Deputy Executive Member for Highways, Parks and Environmental Services, the position Councillor Shaw had previously held.

The Council joined with the Leader of the Council in wishing Councillor John Reilly well in his recovery.

(d)        Stretford Public Hall

The Leader referred to the recent theft of lead from the roof of Streford Public Hall and announced that he had agreed to make available £2,500 to the Friends of Streford Public Hall Group to assist with the repairs, which were undoubtedly a distraction, as it continued to fund raise for the restoration of the Hall’s ballroom.

(e)        Scrutiny Committee Update

Councillor Michael Young, Chairman of Scrutiny Committee reported that 2 reports had been presented to the Executive: Budget Scrutiny 2018/19; and a Task and Finish Group Review of the Council’s Customer Relationship Manager (CRM) System, where there was concern over delays at bringing the system into full operation. Scrutiny Committee looked forward to receiving the Executive’s response on each matter.

In response to the Department for Communities and Local Government report on the Effectiveness of Local Authority Overview and Scrutiny Committees, a task and finish group had been established with the aim of preparing a Trafford specific report and it was anticipated that this would be presented to Council in March 2018.

(f)         Health Scrutiny Committee Update

Councillor Harding, Chairman of Health Scrutiny Committee reported that the prime focus of the recent Committee meeting was the Care Quality Commission (CQC) report on delayed transfers of care and systems across Trafford. The Committee was currently formulating a response to the CQC report and would work with the Health and Wellbeing Board to continue to monitor the Action Plan arising from the CQC inspection.