To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 12 October 2020 for signature by the Mayor as Chair of the Council.

That the Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 12 October 2022, be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

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 Dora Carter

With regret the Mayor referred to the sad death of a former Councillor, Mrs. Dora Carter, aged 99 years on 23 October 2022. Mrs. Carter, whose Funeral Service was on 7 November was also a former Greater Manchester Council representative and served for many years on the Police Committee.

As a mark of respect, the Council stood for a few moments in memory of its former colleague.

(b)       Scrutiny Committees

Councillor Acton, Chair of Scrutiny advised that Budget Scrutiny Sessions were to be held on 29 November and 1 December 2023 and that all non-Executive Members were welcome to attend.

Councillor Whetton, Chair of Health Scrutiny Committee reported that due to the impending By-Election in the Borough attempts were being made to re-arrange the date of the next meeting and that the Committee was still determined in its continuing attempts to get the Altrincham Minor Injuries Unit re-opened. Also, two new task and finish projects were underway which Councillor Whetton anticipated would provide important results for the Council and he looked forward to presenting them in due course.

Councillor Denise Western, Chair of Children’s and Young Peoples Scrutiny Committee likewise indicated that a rearranged meeting date was being sought in January/February 2023 and that members of the Committee were also participating in two task and finish projects.

To note that:

(i)         Councillor Butt was appointed to the vacancy on the Greater Manchester Pension Fund Management/Advisory Panel, with effect from 18 October 2022; and

(ii)        Councillor Butt replaced Councillor Mirza as the Shadow Executive Member for Economy and Regeneration, with effect from 21 October 2022;

(iii)       Councillor Freeman replaced Councillor Dagnall as a member of Planning Development Management Committee, with effect from 24 October 2022; and

(iv)      the political balance of Committees was reviewed as a result of Councillor Dagnall becoming an Independent and the Conservative Group was allocated one of the Labour Group places on Children and Young People’s Scrutiny Committee. Consequently, Councillor Dagnall ceased to be a Member of the Committee and Councillor Zhi was appointed with effect from 25 October 2022.

RESOLVED: That Council notes that:

(a)    Councillor Butt was appointed to the vacancy on the Greater Manchester Pension Fund Management/Advisory Panel, with effect from 18 October 2022;

(b)    Councillor Butt replaced Councillor Mirza as the Shadow Executive Member for Economy and Regeneration, with effect from 21 October 2022;

(c)    Councillor Freeman replaced Councillor Dagnall as a member of Planning Development Management Committee, with effect from 24 October 2022; and

(d)    the political balance of Committees was reviewed as a result of Councillor Dagnall becoming an Independent Member and the Conservative Group was allocated one of the Labour Group places on Children and Young People’s Scrutiny Committee. Consequently, Councillor Dagnall ceased to be a Member of the Committee and Councillor Zhi was appointed with effect from 25 October 2022.

To consider a report of the Returning Officer.

The Chief Executive and Returning Officer submitted a report detailing the results of the Returning Officer’s review of polling districts and polling places and setting out proposals regarding relocations of polling places and re-designation of polling districts.

The report also provided details regarding ward boundaries changes recommended by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE) following the completion of a review of Trafford’s ward boundaries.

Further to the report a slight revision was reported in respect of the Timperley North polling district and it was noted that Appendices A and B had been updated and published with the agenda papers. Regarding the revision, it was also noted that the consequential changes would need to be reflected in the appendices for the Broadheath Ward.

RESOLVED -

(1)    That the Council notes that the LGBCE ward boundary recommendations detailed in this report are subject to approval from Parliament.

(2)    That the outcome of the Local Authority’s review of its polling districts and polling places, be noted.

(3)    That the proposed relocations of polling places, as detailed in the report and set out in Appendix A, be approved subject to the revisions reported in respect of the Broadheath and Timperley North Wards.

(4)    That the proposed re-designation of polling districts, as detailed in the report and as set out in Appendix B, be approved subject to the revisions reported in respect of the Broadheath and Timperley North Wards.

(5)    That the Returning Officer be delegate authority to:

(a)       make further necessary changes to polling places/polling stations that may occur before the elections on 4 May 2023.This includes making changes to any polling place, should it become unavailable, prior to the election, thus allowing the polling place to be changed without full Council approval; and

(b)       make further necessary changes to polling places/polling stations that may occur as a result of changes to the recommendations made by LGBCE and as directed and approved by Parliament.