1.      This Council has often found itself debating issues which it has no operational responsibility for, or influence over, for example national policy on vaping and leasehold properties. 

2.      As Councillors, we are elected to represent residents within the Borough on matters which this Council has control over. We are not elected to be members of a sixth form debating society.

3.      The lack of focus hasn’t gone unnoticed by residents, who, quite rightly, expect those they elect to focus on Trafford and nothing else.

4.      This very simple Motion provides residents with comfort that is all we are focused on and I hope all Members see no need for a prolonged debate wasting even more time on this and support this Motion.

Proposed Motion

This Council resolves to amend section 11.3 of Council Procedure Rules, contained within this Council’s Constitution to include:-

‘Any motion submitted to the Council shall be about matters for which the Council has statutory powers, duties or functions or address the built or natural environment of the Borough of Trafford or address a matter of local, or regional policy that affects the lives of people in the Borough of Trafford. The ruling of the Monitoring Officer in consultation with the Mayor shall be final as to the relevance of the motion.’

(NOTE – If the Motion is approved, section 11.3 will subsequently read :-

Any Motion submitted to the council shall be about matters for which the Council has statutory powers, duties or functions or address the built or natural environment of the Borough of Trafford or address a matter of local, or regional policy that affects the lives of people in the Borough of Trafford. The ruling of the Monitoring Officer in consultation with the Mayor shall be final as to the relevance of the Motion.)

The Motion set out on the Summons regarding Focus on Trafford was moved and seconded.

The proposed Amendment was moved and seconded as set out and published.

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

The substantive Motion as Amended was then put to the vote and declared carried.

RESOLVED: That:

1)    This Council has often found itself debating issue which it has no operational responsibility for or influence over. It is noted that the residents we are elected to represent will often contact us about issues that require some national leadership for example national policy on vaping and leasehold properties. As elected members we should always want what is best for our residents and they would expect us to advocate and amplify their issues at a national level.

2)    As Councillors, we are elected to represent residents within the Borough on matters which this Council has control over.

3)    Residents, quite rightly, expect those they elect to focus on Trafford.

4)    This very simple Motion provides residents with comfort that is what we are focused on.

This Council resolves to convene a meeting of the Constitutional Working Group (cross party) to review the Council’s Constitution in relation to the format of Council meetings, with a focus on the scope of admissible motions, ahead of the next Council AGM.