To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 25 July 2018 for signature by the Mayor as Chairman.

That the Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 25 July 2018, 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, Chairs of Scrutiny Committees and the Head of Paid Service.

(a)        Former Councillor Mrs. Marie Harney

With regret, the Mayor informed the Council that since the last meeting, former Councillor Mrs. Marie Harney, Mayor of Trafford in 2002/03, had sadly passed away and her funeral had been held on 24 August. The Council stood in silence as a mark of respect and in memory of a former colleague who represented the Bowdon Ward from 1989 to 2004.

(b)        National Brass Band Finals

The Mayor took the opportunity to mention that both the Flixton and Sale Bands competed recently in the National brass band finals held in Cheltenham. The Council joined with the Mayor in congratulating the bands on their performances, for which the Borough could be proud.

This is an opportunity for Members of Council to ask the Mayor, Members of the Executive or the Chairs of any Committee or Sub-Committee a question on notice under Procedure Rule 10.2.

The Mayor reported that 5 questions had been received under Procedure Rule 10.2.

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

“I was advised earlier this year that a Tree Preservation Order on Dainewell and Millennium Woods on the Sale/Carrington border had been approved and simply required legal work. It now transpires this was not the case and the woods haven’t even been surveyed by the Council. Would the Executive Member support local residents of St. Mary’s and Bucklow St. Martin’s Wards by ensuring that the Tree Preservation Order is progressed and approved as a matter of urgency?”

Councillor Wright, the Executive Member for Investment, Regeneration and Strategic Planning stated that he was entirely supportive of protecting the Borough’s trees where it was appropriate to do so. Tree Preservation Orders were made to protect specific trees, groups of trees or woodlands in the interests of ‘amenity’. The making of an Order prohibited the cutting down, topping, lopping, uprooting, wilful damage or wilful destruction of trees without the consent of the Local Planning Authority. Anyone who wished to carry out works to trees subject of a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) needed to make an application to the Council for consent for those works, which may then be granted or refused. The carrying out of unauthorised works to protected trees was a criminal offence.

The Executive member confirmed that an assessment of the trees in Dainewell Woods would be undertaken as a matter of priority, in accordance with government guidance, to determine whether they merited protection under a TPO which could only be made, following statutory consultation and the confirmation of the Order. The Planning Service prioritised the making of TPOs by assessing whether trees were under imminent threat, however, there was presently nothing to suggest that the trees at Dainewell Woods were under threat, such as a live planning application. Nevertheless, Councillor Wright indicated that the Planning Service would prioritise the request and undertake an assessment of the trees in October.

Councillor Chilton was encouraged that the request would be prioritised and asked as a supplementary question, whether the Executive Member would personally support it. Councillor Wright preferred not to comment either way until the experts had made their assessment which would then enable an educated response to be made.

(b)    Councillor Mrs. Brophy asked the following question for which she had given notice:

“Please would the Executive member explain what weed killers are used by Trafford Council and its contractors.

What plans does the Council have to protect the natural environment, biodiversity, the public and our Parks and Green Spaces?”

Councillor Adshead, the Executive Member for Environment, Air Quality and Climate Change advised that the Council and its contractors used a weed control product called Rosate 360 TF which was absorbed by the weed foliage and translocated to the growing points in the roots and to the underground rhizomes/stolons of perennial weeds. After application, glyphosate was strongly absorbed onto the soil particles  ...  view the full minutes text for item 34.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director of Governance and Community Strategy.

The Corporate Director of Governance and Community Strategy submitted a report advising the Council of revised governance arrangements for the TfGM Committee and seeking agreement of the new Operating Agreement. The Council was also requested to confirm its representation on the Committee.

RESOLVED –

(1)        That the Council agrees to the size of TfGM Committee as 23 members.

(2)        That Councillor Adshead be appointed to the TfGM Committee and that the Council nominates Councillor Hopps to be appointed by Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) to ensure political balance.

(3)        That the Council notes that the remaining 2 appointments are 1 member appointed by GMCA and 1 member appointed by the Mayor.

(4)        That the Council agrees to amend the Operating Agreement to reflect these changes.

(5)        That the Council notes that the Terms of Reference will be reviewed to ensure that they reflect the Mayor’s current transport powers with a further review in 2019/20 to reflect proposed powers.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director of People, further to the recommendations of Employment Committee on 10 September 2018.

The Corporate Director of People submitted a report setting out the proposed organisational arrangements to secure the appointment of a single Head of Paid Service / Chief Executive.

RESOLVED: That the Council:

(1)        Notes that at its meeting on 10 September 2018, Employment Committee agreed the recruitment process and supported the recommendations outlined in the report now submitted.

(2)        Notes the arrangement whereby the Chief Executive was also appointed to act as the Accountable Officer (AO) for Trafford NHS Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is to be discontinued.

(3)        Notes that it is proposed to recruit to the role of Head of Paid Service and that, following approval by the CCG’s Remuneration Committee and Governing Body that the two roles of AO and Head of Paid Service should be de-coupled, the CCG will recruit to the role of AO.

(4)        Agrees that the post of Chief Executive / Head of Paid Service be recruited to at a salary maximum of £165,000.

(5)        Agrees that the approval of all details of the recruitment and selection process, as required by Part 4 of the Council’s Constitution, be delegated to an Appointments Committee.

(6)        Notes that the Appointments Committee will undertake the recruitment and make a recommendation of the selected candidate to Council, in accordance with the requirements of Part 4 of the Council’s Constitution.

(7)        Notes that the position will be advertised externally within the appropriate media and also notes the overall timescales for the process proposed in Appendix 1 of the report.

(8)        Agrees the engagement of a specialist recruitment agency to support the candidate search, candidate management and longlisting process.

Council calls upon the Government to reconsider transitional arrangements for women born on or after 6 April 1951, so that women do not live in hardship due to pension changes they were not told about until it was too late to make alternative arrangements.

The Council calls upon the Government to make fair transitional state pension arrangements for all women born on or after 6 April 1951, who have unfairly borne the burden of the increase to the State Pension Age with lack of appropriate notification. Hundreds of thousands of women had significant pension changes imposed on them by the Pensions Acts of 1995 and 2011 with little/no/personal notification of the changes. Some women had only two years notice of a six-year increase to their state pension age.

Many women born in the 1950's are living in hardship. Retirement plans have been shattered with devastating consequences. Many of these women are already out of the labour market, caring for elderly relatives, providing childcare for grandchildren, or suffer discrimination in the workplace so struggle to find employment. Women born in this decade are suffering financially. These women have worked hard, raised families and paid their tax and national insurance with the expectation that they would be financially secure when reaching 60. It is not the pension age itself that is in dispute - it is widely accepted that women and men should retire at the same time. The issue is that the rise in the women's state pension age has been too rapid and has happened without sufficient notice being given to the women affected, leaving women with no time to make alternative arrangements.

(Note: Councillor Mrs. Western, the Mover of the Motion, declared a personal interest in the matter since she was directly affected by the pension changes and remained in the meeting.

Councillor A. Western also declared a personal interest as a result of his mother’s interest.)

It was moved and seconded that:

“Council calls upon the Government to reconsider transitional arrangements for women born on or after 6 April 1951, so that women do not live in hardship due to pension changes they were not told about until it was too late to make alternative arrangements.

The Council calls upon the Government to make fair transitional state pension arrangements for all women born on or after 6 April 1951, who have unfairly borne the burden of the increase to the State Pension Age with lack of appropriate notification. Hundreds of thousands of women had significant pension changes imposed on them by the Pensions Acts of 1995 and 2011 with little/no/personal notification of the changes. Some women had only two years notice of a six-year increase to their state pension age.

Many women born in the 1950's are living in hardship. Retirement plans have been shattered with devastating consequences. Many of these women are already out of the labour market, caring for elderly relatives, providing childcare for grandchildren, or suffer discrimination in the workplace so struggle to find employment. Women born in this decade are suffering financially. These women have worked hard, raised families and paid their tax and national insurance with the expectation that they would be financially secure when reaching 60. It is not the pension age itself that is in dispute - it is widely accepted that women and men should retire at the same time. The issue is that the rise in the women's state pension age has been too rapid and has happened without sufficient notice being given to the women affected, leaving women with no time to make alternative arrangements.”

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

RESOLVED: That Council calls upon the Government to reconsider transitional arrangements for women born on or after 6 April 1951, so that women do not live in hardship due to pension changes they were not told about until it was too late to make alternative arrangements.

The Council calls upon the Government to make fair transitional state pension arrangements for all women born on or after 6 April 1951, who have unfairly borne the burden of the increase to the State Pension Age with lack of appropriate notification. Hundreds of thousands of women had significant pension changes imposed on them by the Pensions Acts of 1995 and 2011 with little/no/personal notification of the changes. Some women had only two years notice of a six-year increase to their state pension age.

Many women born in the 1950's are living in hardship. Retirement plans have been shattered with devastating consequences. Many of these women are already out of the labour market,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 37.

This Council:

•   notes the increasing pressures facing Greater Manchester Police (GMP)

•   supports the warnings of a multitude of agencies,  that nationally police forces are reaching a breaking point as a result of the wide ranging cuts initiated by the Conservative Government. This has left forces across the country and here in Trafford depleted to critical levels. This is against a background of a continued rise in reported crime across the city region. Recent statistics show a 27 per cent increase in total recorded crime in Greater Manchester, with a rise across the majority of crime types, including sexual offences and robbery.

•   welcomes the announcement by GM Deputy Mayor with responsibility for Police, Bev Hughes for 100 additional officers; but recognises that this will not fill the gap that has been created following eight years of real term cuts imposed on Greater Manchester Police.

•   believes that the Government should rethink their strategy for policing and adopt Labour’s 2017 manifesto commitment, pledging to put 10,000 additional police on to the streets of England and Wales.

•   welcomes GMP’s commitment to neighbourhood policing, with its key emphasis on tackling crime and antisocial behaviour, as well as a focus on problem solving and crime prevention through enhancing local intelligence gathering. It is noted that police officers work collaboratively with partner agencies in Greater Manchester and particularly in Trafford to provide a bespoke service that best meets the needs of each community, with an increased focus on utilising early partnership based intervention. This progressive approach is however being severely hampered by the Government cuts to the police service which weakens community cohesion and puts the safety of our residents at increasing risk.

Council therefore calls upon the Leader of the Council to write to the Home Secretary condemning the scale of government cuts to the police since 2010 and calling for a properly funded police force.

(Note: Councillor Freeman declared a personal interest in the matter being in receipt of an occupational pension from Greater Manchester Police and remained in the meeting.

Councillor Lally also declared a personal interest in the matter as his sister-in-law was a serving Greater Manchester Police Officer and remained in the meeting.)

It was moved and seconded that:

“This Council:

•   notes the increasing pressures facing Greater Manchester Police (GMP).

•   supports the warnings of a multitude of agencies, that nationally police forces are reaching a breaking point as a result of the wide ranging cuts initiated by the Conservative Government. This has left forces across the country and here in Trafford depleted to critical levels. This is against a background of a continued rise in reported crime across the city region. Recent statistics show a 27 per cent increase in total recorded crime in Greater Manchester, with a rise across the majority of crime types, including sexual offences and robbery.

•   welcomes the announcement by GM Deputy Mayor with responsibility for Police, Bev Hughes for 100 additional officers; but recognises that this will not fill the gap that has been created following eight years of real term cuts imposed on Greater Manchester Police.

•  believes that the Government should rethink their strategy for policing and adopt Labour’s 2017 manifesto commitment, pledging to put 10,000 additional police on to the streets of England and Wales.

•   welcomes GMP’s commitment to neighbourhood policing, with its key emphasis on tackling crime and antisocial behaviour, as well as a focus on problem solving and crime prevention through enhancing local intelligence gathering. It is noted that police officers work collaboratively with partner agencies in Greater Manchester and particularly in Trafford to provide a bespoke service that best meets the needs of each community, with an increased focus on utilising early partnership based intervention. This progressive approach is however being severely hampered by the Government cuts to the police service which weakens community cohesion and puts the safety of our residents at increasing risk.

Council therefore calls upon the Leader of the Council to write to the Home Secretary condemning the scale of government cuts to the police since 2010 and calling for a properly funded police force.”

It was moved and seconded as an amendment that:

“This Council:

•   notes the increasing pressures facing Greater Manchester Police and that policing is the responsibility of the Mayor of Greater Manchester;

•   notes the concern of these increased pressures faced by Greater Manchester Police, and the steps taken by to assist including the ability to levy a higher precept and ongoing funding from Government;

•   notes that Trafford remains the safest place to live in Greater Manchester and places on record our appreciation for the work of Greater Manchester Police and community safety teams;

•   welcomes the announcement of 100 additional police officers; and calls on the Chief Constable to ensure Trafford receives it’s fair allocation of additional resources; and

•   welcomes GMP’s commitment to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 38.

This year, yet again, an excellent set of results from Trafford pupils in the face of a toughening and changing examination landscape and will see Trafford amongst the very highest performing authorities and its pupils amongst the highest achievers in the country.

This Council puts on record our congratulations to all our children and young people who have achieved so highly in the key stage 2 attainment outcomes and also the GCSE results and A level results all of which were way above the national average.

It is important that we recognise also the dedication and commitment of our Local Education Authority staff, head teachers and teaching staff plus support given by parents, guardians and school governors and our early years staff as education starts before birth.

However we must never be complacent and this Council believes that a local authority be judged not only on its academic but also on the achievements of its most vulnerable children, and the education outcomes of our special needs children.

We are determined that all our children across the borough will receive the very best education and opportunities in life.

It was moved and seconded that:

“This year, yet again, an excellent set of results from Trafford pupils in the face of a toughening and changing examination landscape and will see Trafford amongst the very highest performing authorities and its pupils amongst the highest achievers in the country.

This Council puts on record our congratulations to all our children and young people who have achieved so highly in the key stage 2 attainment outcomes and also the GCSE results and A level results all of which were way above the national average.

It is important that we recognise also the dedication and commitment of our Local Education Authority staff, head teachers and teaching staff plus support given by parents, guardians and school governors and our early years staff as education starts before birth.

However we must never be complacent and this Council believes that a local authority be judged not only on its academic but also on the achievements of its most vulnerable children, and the education outcomes of our special needs children.

We are determined that all our children across the borough will receive the very best education and opportunities in life.”

It was moved and seconded as an amendment that a final paragraph be added as follows:

“This Council recognises the important role our education system in Trafford, consisting of selection, grammar and high schools working excellently alongside each other, with our primary schools contributing too and sees this as the differentiating factor in achieving educational success. Therefore, the Council places on record its support for the continuation of this system in the borough.”

(Note: Prior to the debate on this item, the time being 8.40 p.m., the Mayor indicated that, for the remainder of the meeting, all speeches would now be limited to a maximum of one minute per speaker.)

Following a debate on the matter, the amendment was put to the vote and declared lost. The substantive Motion was then put to the vote which was carried unanimously.

RESOLVED: That this year, yet again, an excellent set of results from Trafford pupils in the face of a toughening and changing examination landscape and will see Trafford amongst the very highest performing authorities and its pupils amongst the highest achievers in the country.

This Council puts on record our congratulations to all our children and young people who have achieved so highly in the key stage 2 attainment outcomes and also the GCSE results and A level results all of which were way above the national average.

It is important that we recognise also the dedication and commitment of our Local Education Authority staff, head teachers and teaching staff plus support given by parents, guardians and school governors and our early years staff as education starts before birth.

However we must never be complacent and this Council believes that a local authority be judged not only on its academic but also on the achievements of its most vulnerable children, and the education outcomes of our special  ...  view the full minutes text for item 39.

This Council notes:

•   The government cancelling the introduction of Zero Carbon Home Standards in 2016;

•   The negative impact this will have on householders at risk of fuel poverty in new housing;

•   The missed opportunity to reduce carbon emissions in new developments;

•   The loss of income to the local economy as a result of these lower energy efficiency standards, as householders’ income is spent paying energy bills rather than in local shops and on local services.

This Council believes:

•   That under the principle of ‘localism’ councils can determine their own standards on land that they own if those standards comply with UK Building Regulations;

•   That the internationally recognised ‘Passivhaus Standard’ offers an alternative to the UK’s diminished energy efficiency ambitions for new-build housing;

•   That the Passivhaus standard complies with UK Building Regulations and can deliver heating bills of less than £100/year for the average three bedroom terrace.

This Council agrees to specify Passivhaus Standards on all buildings on Council-owned land or as a condition of sale on any council land within 3 years.

Timescale:

•   To produce exemplar projects in the first year and produce a feasibility study with the Passivhaus Trust;

•      In the 2nd year move to a 20% commitment to provide Passivhaus developments;

•      Move to 100% commitment to Passivhaus Standards on all council land and a condition of land sold-on.

It was moved and seconded that:

“This Council notes:

•   The government cancelling the introduction of Zero Carbon Home Standards in 2016;

•   The negative impact this will have on householders at risk of fuel poverty in new housing;

•   The missed opportunity to reduce carbon emissions in new developments;

•   The loss of income to the local economy as a result of these lower energy efficiency standards, as householders’ income is spent paying energy bills rather than in local shops and on local services.

This Council believes:

•   That under the principle of ‘localism’ councils can determine their own standards on land that they own if those standards comply with UK Building Regulations;

•   That the internationally recognised ‘Passivhaus Standard’ offers an alternative to the UK’s diminished energy efficiency ambitions for new-build housing;

•   That the Passivhaus standard complies with UK Building Regulations and can deliver heating bills of less than £100/year for the average three bedroom terrace.

This Council agrees to specify Passivhaus Standards on all buildings on Council-owned land or as a condition of sale on any council land within 3 years.

Timescale:

•   To produce exemplar projects in the first year and produce a feasibility study with the Passivhaus Trust;

•   In the 2nd year move to a 20% commitment to provide Passivhaus developments;

•   Move to 100% commitment to Passivhaus Standards on all council land and a condition of land sold-on.”

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

Council notes that two years have passed since the European Union (EU) Referendum and little concrete progress has been made in negotiating the terms of the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the EU.

Trafford Council:

a)     recognises the significant support it has received through EU funding over many years;

b)     recognises nearly six in every ten Trafford residents (58%) voted to remain in the EU;

c)     notes the stark warnings from companies such as Airbus, Vauxhall Motors, Jaguar Land Rover and BMW about the impact of Brexit on British manufacturing;

d)     recognises the mounting popular concern at the prospect of leaving the EU with either a bad deal or no deal at all;

e)     notes the reports from 1st August highlighting the serious concerns local authorities have over delivery of public services post-Brexit including potential civil unrest;

f)      notes the participation of over 100,000 people in the march for a People’s Vote in London on 23 June;

g)     understands that the EU Withdrawal Bill threatens the rights of citizens as well as environmental protections;

h)     shares the anxiety of EU citizens living in the Trafford who feel unwelcome in the place they have made home, and uncertain about their future.

Many councils have adopted a motion supporting the calls for a People’s Vote on the final Brexit Deal.

The People’s Vote campaign has worked hard to develop cross-party support at the highest level, with signatories including the following MPs:

•   Justine Greening and Anna Soubry from the Conservatives

•   Caroline Lucas from the Green Party

•   Chuka Umunna, David Lammy, Stella Creasy and Ben Bradshaw from the Labour Party

•   Plus Vince Cable and all Liberal Democrat MPs

Many parts of Greater Manchester have already produced Brexit Impact studies, including:

•   Oldham Council

•   Manchester City Council

•   The Local Enterprise Partnership Board of the Combined Authority

Accordingly, Trafford Council resolves to:

1)     Conduct and publish without delay a Brexit Impact study for Trafford.

2)     Support a People’s Vote on the final Brexit deal with an option to remain in the EU.

3)     Urge Trafford’s MPs to join the campaign for a People’s Vote in the interests of the residents and businesses in Trafford.

It was moved and seconded that:

“Council notes that two years have passed since the European Union (EU) Referendum and little concrete progress has been made in negotiating the terms of the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the EU.

Trafford Council:

a)   recognises the significant support it has received through EU funding over many years;

b)   recognises nearly six in every ten Trafford residents (58%) voted to remain in the EU;

c)   notes the stark warnings from companies such as Airbus, Vauxhall Motors, Jaguar Land Rover and BMW about the impact of Brexit on British manufacturing;

d)   recognises the mounting popular concern at the prospect of leaving the EU with either a bad deal or no deal at all;

e)   notes the reports from 1^st August highlighting the serious concerns local authorities have over delivery of public services post-Brexit including potential civil unrest;

f)    notes the participation of over 100,000 people in the march for a People’s Vote in London on 23 June;

g)   understands that the EU Withdrawal Bill threatens the rights of citizens as well as environmental protections;

h)   shares the anxiety of EU citizens living in the Trafford who feel unwelcome in the place they have made home, and uncertain about their future.

Many councils have adopted a motion supporting the calls for a People’s Vote on the final Brexit Deal.

The People’s Vote campaign has worked hard to develop cross-party support at the highest level, with signatories including the following MPs:

•   Justine Greening and Anna Soubry from the Conservatives

•   Caroline Lucas from the Green Party

•   Chuka Umunna, David Lammy, Stella Creasy and Ben Bradshaw from the Labour Party

•   Plus Vince Cable and all Liberal Democrat MPs

Many parts of Greater Manchester have already produced Brexit Impact studies, including:

•   Oldham Council

•   Manchester City Council

•   The Local Enterprise Partnership Board of the Combined Authority

Accordingly, Trafford Council resolves to:

1)   Conduct and publish without delay a Brexit Impact study for Trafford.

2)   Support a People’s Vote on the final Brexit deal with an option to remain in the EU.

3)   Urge Trafford’s MPs to join the campaign for a People’s Vote in the interests of the residents and businesses in Trafford.”

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

RESOLVED: That Council notes that two years have passed since the European Union (EU) Referendum and little concrete progress has been made in negotiating the terms of the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the EU.

Trafford Council:

a)   recognises the significant support it has received through EU funding over many years;

b)   recognises nearly six in every ten Trafford residents (58%) voted to remain in the EU;

c)   notes the stark warnings from companies such as Airbus, Vauxhall Motors, Jaguar Land Rover and BMW about the impact of Brexit on British manufacturing;

d)   recognises the mounting popular concern at the prospect of leaving the EU with either a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 41.

This Council notes with deep concern the recent announcement by the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) to close a further 54 branches across the country. The Council further notes that 3 of these closures are to be in Trafford - Partington, Altrincham and Urmston.

The Council believes that these proposed closures will massively inconvenience local residents and small businesses who continue to prefer to conduct their banking arrangements through a high street branch and rejects the increasing assumption that internet banking is the right choice for everyone. Experience shows that certain groups, including older people, will be especially inconvenienced by the proposed branch closures.

The Council condemns the proposal to close the RBS branch in Partington, which will mean the loss of the last remaining banking facility in this community, and also notes that NatWest branches in Stretford, Hale and Timperley have been closed in recent years.

The Council resolves to write to the Chief Executive of RBS to express its deep concern at these proposals and call for a pause to be placed on the proposals until such time that effective dialogue has been undertaken with the local authority on ensuring our communities continue to have access to the banking facilities that will help businesses and communities to thrive.

Without debate it was unanimously,       

        RESOLVED: That this Council notes with deep concern the recent announcement by the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) to close a further 54 branches across the country. The Council further notes that 3 of these closures are to be in Trafford - Partington, Altrincham and Urmston.

The Council believes that these proposed closures will massively inconvenience local residents and small businesses who continue to prefer to conduct their banking arrangements through a high street branch and rejects the increasing assumption that internet banking is the right choice for everyone. Experience shows that certain groups, including older people, will be especially inconvenienced by the proposed branch closures.

The Council condemns the proposal to close the RBS branch in Partington, which will mean the loss of the last remaining banking facility in this community, and also notes that NatWest branches in Stretford, Hale and Timperley have been closed in recent years.

The Council resolves to write to the Chief Executive of RBS to express its deep concern at these proposals and call for a pause to be placed on the proposals until such time that effective dialogue has been undertaken with the local authority on ensuring our communities continue to have access to the banking facilities that will help businesses and communities to thrive.

This Council welcomes recent reports that the sustained campaign against the construction of the Barton Renewal Energy Plant appears to be drawing to a favourable outcome after Peel Energy indicated construction will not be forthcoming.

In particular, Council would like to pay tribute to campaigners in the Davyhulme, Urmston and Flixton communities, alongside the well organised Breathe Clean Air Group whose efforts have been nothing short of outstanding.

Council notes the decision of the previous administration, with cross party support, to commit significant sums of taxpayers’ money to fight this biomass plant which demonstrates the materially positive impact decisions in this town hall hold for our communities.

The Council commits to continue to pursue a cleaner, greener environment for all of its communities.

(Note: Councillor Dillon declared a personal interest in the matter being a Member of the Breathe Clean Air Group and remained in the meeting.)

It was moved and seconded that:

“This Council welcomes recent reports that the sustained campaign against the construction of the Barton Renewal Energy Plant appears to be drawing to a favourable outcome after Peel Energy indicated construction will not be forthcoming.

In particular, Council would like to pay tribute to campaigners in the Davyhulme, Urmston and Flixton communities, alongside the well organised Breathe Clean Air Group whose efforts have been nothing short of outstanding.

Council notes the decision of the previous administration, with cross party support, to commit significant sums of taxpayers’ money to fight this biomass plant which demonstrates the materially positive impact decisions in this town hall hold for our communities.

The Council commits to continue to pursue a cleaner, greener environment for all of its communities.”

Following speeches in support, the Motion was agreed with the unanimous consent of the Council.

RESOLVED: That this Council welcomes recent reports that the sustained campaign against the construction of the Barton Renewal Energy Plant appears to be drawing to a favourable outcome after Peel Energy indicated construction will not be forthcoming.

In particular, Council would like to pay tribute to campaigners in the Davyhulme, Urmston and Flixton communities, alongside the well organised Breathe Clean Air Group whose efforts have been nothing short of outstanding.

Council notes the decision of the previous administration, with cross party support, to commit significant sums of taxpayers’ money to fight this biomass plant which demonstrates the materially positive impact decisions in this town hall hold for our communities.

The Council commits to continue to pursue a cleaner, greener environment for all of its communities.