To approve as a correct record the Minutes of both the Extraordinary and Ordinary Meetings of the Council held on 17 July 2024, for signature by the Mayor as Chair of the Council.

That the Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 17 July 2024, 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)       Leader of the Council’s Announcements

The Leader of the Council referred to the approval of the Corporate Plan at the previous meeting and reported on the events he had attended over the summer which supported the Plan and other things done as a council. The Leader had attended the Trafford Moving Conference in Sale; the civic launch of Black History Month at Manchester Cathedral; the Voice of BME Trafford; the Stretford Advice Hub in Stretford Public Hall; Trafford Community Awards; and the Strategic Partnership launch of the Corporate Plan which was followed up by an event on equalities, climate and health.

The Leader also reported that the draft budget papers had been published earlier that week and on the challenges the Council continued to face to deliver a balanced budget. Some Members had been involved in a CIPFA review over the summer months and the Leader was delighted to see that CIPFA had recognised that Trafford was a well run council with historic funding challenges.

(b)       Executive Announcements

Councillor K. Carter, Executive Member for Children and Young People reported that school attendance was the best in the North West and Trafford was first in the North West for destinations that children leaving school go for college, skills or apprenticeships with the lowest number of children not in education employment training. Trafford also had the lowest obesity rates in Year 6, which were the lowest seen for a number of years. GCSE and A Level results surpassed the previous year and although not yet announced, Trafford was expected to be one of the top performing boroughs in the country. The Executive Member had also attended a Foster Carer’s celebration event that day to celebrate all foster carers including one who had served for thirty years.

Councillor Williams, Executive Member for Climate Change was pleased to report that since the last meeting Trafford’s relaunched Active Travel Forum had held it’s first meeting at Stretford Public Hall and that progress was continuing with the delivery of the Active Travel Scheme along the A56 between the M60 and Talbot Road. The Executive Member was also pleased to welcome the Mayor of Greater Manchester and the Active Travel Commissioner to the Borough the previous Thursday during their visit to Seymour Park Community Primary School in Old Trafford which was an opportunity to showcase the school street implemented with the support of the school and volunteers from the community. Councillor Williams was also delighted to see delivery of the first phase of Urmston Active Neighbourhood during the ongoing trial of Flixton Community Street. Finally, the Executive Member took the opportunity to thank officers for their work to realise the Council’s ambitions for Climate Change and Active Travel and also those Ward Members who participated in the Active Travel Forum, as well as those Members that continue to volunteer in supporting school streets in their communities. He also extended thanks to Flixton Ward Members for their advocacy on behalf of local residents during the community streets  ...  view the full minutes text for item 27.

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 4 questions had been received under Procedure Rule 10.2 and, on the basis that each question and response had been circulated, advised that these would be taken as read and that the meeting would proceed with the supplementary questions. (Note: The questions and responses are available to view on the Council’s website.)

(a)    Question from Councillor Zhi regarding road safety around Oldfield Brow School

As a supplementary question, Councillor Zhi asked if the Council was waiting for a catastrophic accident before taking any steps.

In response, Councillor Adshead, Executive Member for Highways, Environmental and Traded Services referred to the penultimate paragraph of his response which stated that work would be undertaken over the coming period. Councillor Adshead indicated that the Council will work with the support of schools, local communities and the police on a wide range of initiatives across the Borough to address road safety.

(b)    Question from Councillor Ennis on plans to support local ‘warm spaces’ schemes this winter

As a supplementary question Councillor Ennis asked the Executive Member to please look again at how the Council can support community groups across the Borough that winter, especially on how people can access the right services regardless of where they turned up for support.

Councillor Wright, Executive Member for Housing and Advice referred to the response which stated that the Council was supporting local community hubs, particularly through the extension of the household support fund and other funding streams. Councillor Wright believed that the solution was maximising peoples’ incomes which the Council would focus on in the long-term.

(c)      Question from Councillor Coggins concerning the Carbon Budget 

As a supplementary question Councillor Coggins asked what pressure the Council would be putting on the new government to ensure that the inevitable breach of the Council’s carbon budget would be as small as possible.

Councillor Williams, Executive Member for Climate Change sympathised with the sentiments expressed and assured Councillor Coggins that he was doing everything in his capacity to challenge Labour colleagues in Westminster and welcomed the support of all groups on the Council in so doing.

(d)    Question from Councillor Evans requesting a Free After Three car parking scheme this Christmas

Referring to the final paragraph of the response, Councillor Evans asked again for the introduction of Free After Three on the run up to Christmas.

Councillor Patel, the Executive Member for Economy and Regeneration estimated the cost of providing was approximately £75,000 at a time the Council’s draft budget was under significant pressure. The Council worked closely with businesses and Town Centre partners to encourage footfall into the Boroughs Towns and Villages and also allocated a shared prosperity fund to support major events and increase activity throughout the year, not just at Christmas.

To note the following changes approved under delegated authority:

(a)       Councillor Butt was appointed as a Substitute Member of Planning and Development Management Committee, effective from 6 August 2024.

(b)       Councillor Devlin replaced Councillor S. Taylor as the Council’s representative on GMCA Health Scrutiny Committee, with Councillor S. Taylor continuing as Deputy, effective from 2 October 2024.

Further to the Summons, notifying Council of changes to the membership of Committees and Outside Bodies, the Mayor informed Members of some additional changes.

RESOLVED: That the Council notes the following changes approved under delegated authority:

(a)       Councillor Butt was appointed as a Substitute Member of Planning and Development Management Committee, effective from 6 August 2024.

(b)       Councillor Devlin replaced Councillor S. Taylor as the Council’s representative on GMCA Health Scrutiny Committee, effective from 2 October 2024, with Councillor S. Taylor continuing as Deputy.

(c)       Councillor Evans replaced Councillor Butt as a substitute Member of Planning and Development Management Committee, effective from 10 October 2024.

(d)       Councillor Glenton was appointed the Deputy Member on GMCA Health Scrutiny Committee in place of Councillor Sophie Taylor, effective from On 15 October 2024.

(e)       Councillor Cordingley replaced Councillor Glenton on the Accounts and Audit Committee, with Councillor Glenton taking up the vacant position on Health Scrutiny Committee with effect from 15 October 2024.

(f)         Councillor Holden is to replace Councillor Michael Taylor as a Member and Vice-Chair of Scrutiny Committee, with effect from 18 October 2024.

Council notes: 

-         The Labour Government’s recent decision to restrict the Winter Fuel Payment to only pensioners in receipt of means-tested benefits like Pension Credit, as announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves.

-         There are more than 41,450 people over age of 65 in Trafford, 17.6% of the population, and most of these residents will be pensioners.

-         The estimated impact of this decision, which Age UK says will mean 2 million pensioners who badly need the money to stay warm this winter will not receive it.

-         The significant role that Winter Fuel Payments play in helping older residents of Trafford and across the UK afford heating during the coldest months, thereby preventing 'heat or eat' dilemmas and safeguarding health.

-         The criticism from Age UK, the Countryside Alliance and other charities, highlighting the social injustice and potential health risks posed by this sudden policy change.

-         The additional strain this decision will place on vulnerable pensioners, many of whom do not claim Pension Credit despite being eligible, further exacerbating their financial hardship.

Council believes: 

-             That the Winter Fuel Payment has been a lifeline for many older people across the UK and that restricting its availability solely to those on Pension Credit risks leaving many pensioners in financial hardship as many thousands across Trafford sit just above the cut-off for Pension Credit and will now lose their allowance.

-             The decision to means-test Winter Fuel Payments, especially with such short notice and without adequate compensatory measures, is deeply unfair and will disproportionately affect the health and well-being of our poorest older residents. 

-             The government’s approach fails to consider the administrative barriers and stigma that prevent eligible pensioners from claiming Pension Credit, leaving many without the support they desperately need.

Therefore, Council:  

-         Requests that the Council Leader and the Chief Executive write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, urging a review of the decision to means-test the Winter Fuel Payment and asking the government to ensure that vulnerable pensioners, particularly those who do not claim Pension Credit, are protected from fuel poverty.

-         Will commence a Communications Campaign to encourage greater awareness and uptake of Pension Credits including targeted letters to those who may be eligible.

-         Will sign the Age UK petition to save the Winter Fuel Payment for struggling pensioners and will encourage all members to do the same.

The Motion, as set out on the Summons on Winter Fuel, was moved and seconded and a recorded vote called for on the Motion and Amendments.

An Amendment from the Labour Group, as set out and published, was moved and seconded.

Following a debate on the matter, the Amendment was put to a recorded vote, the result of which was as follows:

Those in favour of the amendment: Councillors Acton, Adshead, Babar, Baskerville, Bennett, Brotherton, G. Carter, K. Carter, Cordingley, Devlin, Gilbert, Glenton, Harding, Hartley, Hassan, Haughey, Hirst, Hornby, Hynes,  Jones, Lloyd, Maitland, O’Brien, O’Sullivan, Patel, Parker, K. Procter, S. Procter, Ross, S. Taylor, Thomas, Thompson, Savary, Western, Williams, Winstanley and Wright.

Those against the amendment: Councillors Brophy, Butt, Coggins, Duncan, Ennis, Evans, Frass, Hancock, Holden, Jerrome, Leicester, Lepori, Minnis, Newgrosh, Spencer, Sutton, M. Taylor, Welton, and Zhi.

With the result of the vote being 37 in favour and 19 against, with 0 abstentions and the Mayor choosing not to vote, the amendment was declared carried.

A second Amendment from the Liberal Democrat Group, as set out and published, was moved and seconded.

Following a debate on the matter, the second Amendment was put to a recorded vote, the result of which was as follows:

Those in favour of the second amendment: Councillors Brophy, Butt, Coggins, Duncan, Ennis, Evans, Frass, Hancock, Holden, Jerrome, Leicester, Lepori, Minnis, Newgrosh, Spencer, Sutton, M. Taylor, Welton, and Zhi.

Those against the second amendment: Councillors Acton, Adshead, Babar, Baskerville, Bennett, Brotherton, G. Carter, K. Carter, Cordingley, Devlin, Gilbert, Glenton, Harding, Hartley, Hassan, Haughey, Hirst, Hornby, Hynes,  Jones, Lloyd, Maitland, O’Brien, O’Sullivan, Patel, Parker, K. Procter, S. Procter, Ross, S. Taylor, Thomas, Thompson, Savary, Western, Williams, Winstanley and Wright.

With the result of the vote being 19 in favour and 37 against, with 0 abstentions and the Mayor choosing not to vote, the second amendment was declared lost.

The substantive Motion was then put to a recorded vote, the result of which was as follows:

Those in favour of the substantive Motion: Councillors Acton, Adshead, Babar, Baskerville, Bennett, Brophy, Brotherton, G. Carter, K. Carter, Cordingley, Devlin, Ennis, Frass, Gilbert, Glenton, Harding, Hartley, Hassan, Haughey, Hirst, Hornby, Hynes,  Jones, Lepori, Lloyd, Maitland, Minnis, Newgrosh, O’Brien, O’Sullivan, Patel, Parker, K. Procter, S. Procter, Ross, S. Taylor, Thomas, Thompson, Savary, Western, Williams, Winstanley and Wright.

Those against the substantive Motion: Councillors Butt, Duncan, Evans, Hancock, Holden, M. Taylor and Zhi.

Those choosing to abstain: Councillors Coggins, Jerrome, Leicester, Spencer, Sutton and Welton.

With the result of the vote being 43 in favour and 7 against, with 6 abstentions and the Mayor choosing not to vote, the substantive Motion was declared carried.

RESOLVED: That Council notes: 

-     The Labour Government’s recent decision to restrict the Winter Fuel Payment to only pensioners in receipt of means-tested benefits like Pension Credit, as announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves.

-     There are more than 41,450 people over age of 65 in Trafford, 17.6% of the population, and most of these residents  ...  view the full minutes text for item 30.

Physical inactivity is the fourth leading risk factor for global mortality accounting for 6% of deaths globally. People who have a physically active lifestyle have a 20-35% lower risk of cardiovascular disease, coronary heart disease and stroke compared to those who have a sedentary lifestyle.

Regular physical activity is also associated with a reduced risk of diabetes, obesity, osteoporosis and colon/breast cancer and with improved mental health.

In older adults, physical activity is associated with increased functional capacities.

Because of these many positive outcomes reduction in physical inactivity is one of Trafford Council’s 5 Priorities for Public Health.

Multiple studies have shown that one of the best ways to achieve this is to build physical activity into people’s everyday lives – for example by enabling people to increase their opportunities for cycling.

An excellent way of increasing cycling opportunities is the provision of Bike Libraries – i.e. a library which allows people to borrow a bicycle, as they would a book. Their aim is to boost access to cycles and allow people a chance to give cycling a go.

With this in mind, a Bike Library has been established in ‘Woodsend Library’ in Davyhulme.

The establishment of the ‘Woodsend Bike Library’ has been a true example of multi-agency co-operation and working across the Public and Private Sector to improve Public Health by allowing residents, who otherwise would have been unable to do so, to access cycling.

The Davyhulme Ward Councillors, who volunteer at the bike library in an apolitical capacity, therefore asks this Council to propose a motion of thanks to the following organisations/people for their part in this partnership project:

-         ‘Transport for Greater Manchester’ for start up funding provision

-         Trafford Council’s Wheeling and Cycling Team for their expertise and guidance

-         Trafford Council’s Libraries Team for systems integration

-         ‘One Trafford Amey’ for groundworks

-         ‘SUEZ’ for sourcing bikes

-         ‘Manchester Bike Kitchen’ for their advice, bike sourcing and ongoing technical expertise

The Motion, as set out on the Summons on the Bike Library, was moved and seconded.

The Amendment from the Liberal Democrat Group, as set out and published, was moved and seconded,.

Following a debate on the matter, the Amendment was put to the vote and was carried unanimously. The substantive Motion was then put to the vote and was carried unanimously.

RESOLVED: That Physical inactivity is the fourth leading risk factor for global mortality accounting for 6% of deaths globally. People who have a physically active lifestyle have a 20-35% lower risk of cardiovascular disease, coronary heart disease and stroke compared to those who have a sedentary lifestyle.

Regular physical activity is also associated with a reduced risk of diabetes, obesity, osteoporosis and colon/breast cancer and with improved mental health.

In older adults, physical activity is associated with increased functional capacities.

Because of these many positive outcomes reduction in physical inactivity is one of Trafford Council’s 5 Priorities for Public Health.

Multiple studies have shown that one of the best ways to achieve this is to build physical activity into people’s everyday lives – for example by enabling people to increase their opportunities for cycling.

An excellent way of increasing cycling opportunities is the provision of Bike Libraries – i.e. a library which allows people to borrow a bicycle, as they would a book. Their aim is to boost access to cycles and allow people a chance to give cycling a go.

With this in mind, a Bike Library has been established in ‘Woodsend Library’ in Davyhulme.

The establishment of the ‘Woodsend Bike Library’ has been a true example of multi-agency co-operation and working across the Public and Private Sector to improve Public Health by allowing residents, who otherwise would have been unable to do so, to access cycling.

Funding has also been approved for a Bike Library at Broomwood Community Centre in Timperley. The new project will enable people to take up cycling and will support future active travel initiatives in the area.

The Ward Councillors, who volunteer at the bike library in an apolitical capacity, therefore asks this Council to propose a motion of thanks to the following organisations/people for their part in these partnership projects:

-         ‘Transport for Greater Manchester’ for start up funding provision.

-         Trafford Council’s Wheeling and Cycling Team for their expertise and guidance.

-         Trafford Council’s Libraries Team for systems integration

-         ‘One Trafford Amey’ for groundworks.

-         ‘SUEZ’ for sourcing bikes.

-         ‘Manchester Bike Kitchen’ for their advice, bike sourcing and ongoing technical expertise.

-         The BlueSCI team and everyone at Broomwood Community Centre for their ongoing support.

This Council notes:

-         A motion recognising care experience as a protected characteristic was passed in this Council chamber in March 2023:

·        The Council acknowledges its duty to prioritise the needs of vulnerable people, embedding this in decision-making processes through co-production and collaboration.

·        The Council will champion this principle with our partners and work alongside other bodies to treat care experience as a protected characteristic until such time as this may be formalised through legislation.

-      Children and young people are one of the five corporate priorities for Trafford Council:

·        We are committed to ensuring that children and young people receive the best possible education and support to help them achieve and thrive.

·        This commitment must be equally applied to our Children in Care. Trafford Council will continue to invest in borough-wide services to support Children in Care, and care-experienced young people and adults, keeping them at the forefront of our ambitions as a Local Authority.

-         Councillors are corporate parents to cared-for and care-experienced children and young people, as outlined in the Statutory Guidance for Local Authorities (2018):

·        This duty is framed by the question, “Would this be good enough for my child?”

·        Our responsibility extends beyond safeguarding to actively promoting the recovery, resilience, and well-being of these children.

·        Elected members must approach the welfare of these children with the same level of concern and commitment as they would for their own.

·        All parts of the local authority, not just children’s services, must recognise their role in supporting cared-for children and care-experienced young people and adults.

This Council resolves:

-         To include Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) training in the compulsory training suite offered to all councillors.

-         All councillors will actively challenge discriminatory language and behaviour relating to cared-for and care-experienced children wherever it is encountered.

-         Councillors will follow statutory guidance by remaining deeply concerned about the welfare of cared-for children, treating them with the same consideration and care as they would for their own children.

The Motion, as set out on the Summons on the Protection and Support of Children by Trafford Council, was moved and seconded.

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

RESOLVED: That this Council notes:

-         A motion recognising care experience as a protected characteristic was passed in this Council chamber in March 2023:

o    The Council acknowledges its duty to prioritise the needs of vulnerable people, embedding this in decision-making processes through co-production and collaboration.

o    The Council will champion this principle with our partners and work alongside other bodies to treat care experience as a protected characteristic until such time as this may be formalised through legislation.

-         Children and young people are one of the five corporate priorities for Trafford Council:

o    We are committed to ensuring that children and young people receive the best possible education and support to help them achieve and thrive.

o    This commitment must be equally applied to our Children in Care. Trafford Council will continue to invest in borough-wide services to support Children in Care, and care-experienced young people and adults, keeping them at the forefront of our ambitions as a Local Authority.

-         Councillors are corporate parents to cared-for and care-experienced children and young people, as outlined in the Statutory Guidance for Local Authorities (2018):

o    This duty is framed by the question, “Would this be good enough for my child?”

o    Our responsibility extends beyond safeguarding to actively promoting the recovery, resilience, and well-being of these children.

o    Elected members must approach the welfare of these children with the same level of concern and commitment as they would for their own.

o    All parts of the local authority, not just children’s services, must recognise their role in supporting cared-for children and care-experienced young people and adults.

This Council resolves:

-         To include Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) training in the compulsory training suite offered to all councillors.

-         All councillors will actively challenge discriminatory language and behaviour relating to cared-for and care-experienced children wherever it is encountered.

-         Councillors will follow statutory guidance by remaining deeply concerned about the welfare of cared-for children, treating them with the same consideration and care as they would for their own children.

This Council notes that:

The recent announcement by the Labour Government to end universal Winter Fuel Payments has restricted eligibility to only those in receipt of Pension Credit, excluding too many vulnerable pensioners.

Many pensioners on lower and middle incomes will no longer receive the payments. Across England and Wales the number of people eligible for Winter Fuel Payments will fall by 10 million (from 11.4 million to only 1.5 million).

According to data obtained by the Liberal Democrats from the Department of Work and Pensions, 34,706 pensioners in Trafford will lose out. That means 89% of pensioners currently eligible for Winter Fuel Payments will no longer be able to claim the payment from this winter onwards. There are an estimated 9,766 Trafford pensioners over the age of 80 who are set to lose out.

A significantly increased communications budget was approved in February, enabling the Council to support residents with the challenges they are facing.

This Council believes that:

The criteria for Winter Fuel Payments that the Labour Government is using will exclude too many pensioners who need help.

Only those receiving a pension of less than £218.15 a week (or £332.95 a week for couples) are eligible for Pension Credit. This is significantly lower than the living wage rate.

Take up of Pension Credit has been worryingly low, more than one in three eligible pensioners are not signed up.

We have a role to play to increase awareness of welfare support such as Pension Credit to ensure people get the help that they need.

This Council further notes that:

The Energy Price Cap is due to rise by 10% in October, which combined with the removal of Winter Fuel Payments will push thousands of local pensioners into fuel poverty.

This Council resolves to:

1.   Use the Council’s increased communications budget to instruct the Council’s Communications Team to urgently commence a significant awareness campaign to maximise uptake of Pension Credit. This should include a dedicated advice line, promotion in the local press as well as targeted letters to those who may be eligible.

2.   Instruct the Leader of the Council to write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer calling for the policy on linking Winter Fuel Payments to Pension Credit receipt to be immediately paused and introduce a new threshold to determine eligibility for Winter Fuel Payments. Council further requests the Leader of the Council write to all MPs covering Trafford asking them to give their formal support to halting these changes to the Winter Fuel Payment eligibility.

RESOLVED: That, further to Minute No.30 of this meeting and in accordance with Procedure Rule 15, the Motion be withdrawn, since a Motion that seeks to rescind a Council decision cannot be brought for at least six months unless the notice of motion is signed by at least 16 members.

.

This Council notes:

Trafford’s Carbon Neutral Action plan states: “The impact of climate change affects us all, but the most disadvantaged communities are often those that are most vulnerable and most severely impacted. We are therefore fully committed to doing our utmost to reduce, adapt to and mitigate the risks and threats posed by climate change…”

That 5 years ago in a previous Green Party motion on 9/10/2019, Trafford council noted that: “ That at least 5% of funds of the Greater Manchester Pension Fund (GMPF) are invested in Shell, BP and other fossil fuel companies.”

The Greater Manchester Pension Fund (GMPF) now has at least £1.3bn of our public sector pension fund money in the fossil fuel industry including Shell, BP, TotalEnergies, Glencore, Legal and General amongst dozens of companies. This constitutes approximately 6% of the GMPF’s fund.*

The Greater Manchester Pension Fund has set a goal of 2050 for reaching net zero carbon emissions, even though the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (and Trafford Council) has set a more ambitious goal of 2038 to reach the same target.

The fiduciary duties of the GMPF are compatible with fossil fuel divestment as evidenced by the many public sector and other pension funds, including local government ones, who are performing significantly better than GMPF on reaching zero carbon.

GMPF, one of the largest pension funds in the UK, has one of the highest percentages of its funds in fossil fuels across local government pension funds in England.*

Fossil fuel investments risk becoming stranded assets as decarbonisation efforts intensify.

Unison, the public service union, runs a long standing campaign on fossil fuel divestment from local government pension funds. This year Unison joined the campaign for a new international Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty to speed up the move away from fossil fuels.

That fossil fuel investments should be considered as part of the council’s “carbon footprint” and divesting our pension fund is one of the most impactful steps we can take to reduce our impact on our community and the world.

* (https://divest.platformlondon.org/fund/greater-manchester-pension-fund)

This Council resolves:

To ask GMPF to develop and implement a clear transition plan that aligns with the 1.5C goal of the Paris agreement, to align with the GMCA target of 2038 for achieving net zero carbon emissions, rather than 2050.

To ask GMPF to implement a robust and transparent reporting mechanism to evidence progress on this plan.

To mandate our representative on the GMPF to call for and work towards divestment.

To acknowledge in future versions of our Carbon Neutral Action Plan, that Trafford’s public money is bankrolling the fossil fuel industry through the GMPF, and that this fund is currently not committed to the 2038 target.

To write to the Mayor of Greater Manchester and the leaders of the other nine Greater Manchester councils to ask them to join us in these calls.

The Motion, as set out on the Summons on Divesting the Greater Manchester Pension Fund from Fossil Fuels, was moved and seconded.

(Note: During the debate on the Motion, the time being 9:12 p.m., the Mayor indicated that speeches on this matter would now be limited to a maximum of two minutes per speaker.)

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