To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 16 October 2024, for signature by the Mayor as Chair of the Council.

That the Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 16 October 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

(i)         Statement on behalf of Councillor Thomas

The Leader of the Council took the opportunity to provide a statement of explanation on behalf of Councillor Thomas as part of his announcements, due to the constraints of the Council’s constitutional procedure rules, to clarify comments Councillor Thomas made at the last meeting relating to the residential areas of Hale, Altrincham and Bowdon, whereby he mistakenly mentioned pensioners in their ivory towers when he meant to say politicians in their ivory towers, during the debate on the winter fuel allowance. The Leader conveyed Councillor Thomas’ apology for any offence caused to any pensioner or Trafford resident by the fault in his words.

(ii)        Statement on the use of the Cresta Court Hotel in Altrincham

The Leader of the Council provided an update regarding the ongoing concerns raised by residents about the use of the Cresta Court Hotel in Altrincham for accommodating people seeking asylum. He confirmed that Council officers were informed by officials from the Home Office and Serco at a meeting on 8 October 2024 that they were considering the use of the hotel as temporary accommodation for people seeking asylum and Council officers expressed serious concerns regarding the location and the potential pressures on local services it could create but were assured that should the Home Office be minded to proceed there would be a meeting arranged with the Council. With no further dialogue or information the Council was deeply concerned that on 25 October 2024, less than 3-days’ notice of the hotel being stood up was received.

Since then, the Council had been working with the police, the NHS, the Home Office, Serco and community representatives seeking to ensure the smooth running of the operation and to minimise the impact on the community. Also wishing to ensure that residents are provided with accurate information the Council had published some Frequently Asked Questions on the Council website.

The Leader also wanted to remind all Members of their representative role of Trafford Council, that their words had consequences and as Councillors they need to provide civic leadership.

The Community Safety team and officers from Greater Manchester Police are working together to support residents and, as a partnership, continue to monitor activity at the hotel and in the community to keep everyone safe. The NHS had a legal duty to provide the appropriate health care for people while their asylum claims were being processed and partners in the NHS were providing healthcare services with the aim of minimising the impact on local health services. NHS Greater Manchester is working with gtd healthcare, a not-for-profit provider who deliver all its services on behalf of the NHS.

Having to deal with the current situation, the Council was working closely in the Altrincham community every day, alongside our partners to support residents and people seeking asylum. Council officers have carried out visits to the hotel to ensure that appropriate regulations are being met inside and the Council continued to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 36.

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 Hancock regarding the Jubilee Community Centre in Bowdon

As a supplementary question, Councillor Hancock asked would the Council commit to ensuring the future of the Jubilee Centre or was the administration going to continue with its neglect of an important community asset for Bowdon and the nearby area.

In response, Councillor Patel, Executive Member for Economy and Regeneration pointed out that the Jubilee Centre had been on the Council’s land disposal list for over ten years and that decision pre-dated the current administration and that her written response had indicated that the Council was looking to provide community space within the disposal of the site but had a duty to balance its budget. The Executive Member rejected the question’s framing that it was a North/South Borough issue and that the Council took a fair and even-handed approach to such decisions across the Borough and would continue to work closely with the Community Association at the Jubilee Centre to find a way forward.

(b)    Question from Councillor Lepori on the social care sector and the Chancellor’s first budget

As a supplementary question Councillor Lepori asked in light of the Office for Budget Responsibility stating that the £600 million allocation in the budget would not be enough to cover the expected costs for councils, what contingencies did the Council have in place should some social care providers struggle to provide the services or wind up not trading due to new tax costs.

Councillor Harding, Executive Member for Finance, Governance and Change acknowledging the weighting of the initial question admitted that there was a whole lot further to go in relation to how Social Care could be fixed. The Council was yet to hear what the final settlement would be in December but was mindful of the impact of the National Insurance rises on providers in Trafford and was something it would be working with providers on. Having also worked across the sector for a number of years, the Executive Member shared Councillor Lepori’s concerns and assured him that the Council was committed to ensuring that the impact of social care was a positive one for residents, and providers which the Council valued. Also having pledged to try and improve social care, Councillor Harding valued social care just as vital as the NHS and through representative positions and as a Council, would continue to lobby the government ministers.

(c)    Question from Councillor Evans concerning the vetting procedures for those housed at the Cresta Court Hotel, Altrincham 

As a supplementary question, Councillor Evans referring to correspondence he had received from a local resident expressing parental concern, asked what message the Leader of the Council  ...  view the full minutes text for item 37.

To consider a report of the Executive Member for Communities and Safety, recommended to Council by the Executive on 21 October 2024.

The Executive Member for Communities and Safety submitted a report advising that the Council’s current Gambling Act 2005 Statement of Licensing Principles, published in January 2022, was due for review. The report outlined the review process and presented an unamended but reviewed policy for approval which had been recommended to the Council by the Executive on 21 October 2024.

RESOLVED: That the Council notes the recommendations of the Executive on 21 October 2024 and adopts the unamended Statement of Gambling Principles, as attached at Appendix A to the report.

To consider a report of the Executive Member for Communities and Safety, recommended to Council by the Executive on 21 October 2024.

The Executive Member for Communities and Safety submitted a report advising on the Council’s policy and regulatory regime towards charitable street collections and the recommendations of the Executive meeting on 21 October 2024 to adopt the regime permitted by section 5 of the Police, Factories and (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1916, together with proposed local regulations and a policy.

RESOLVED: That the recommendations of the Executive on 21 October 2024, be noted and the Council agrees to:

(a)       adopt section 5 of the Police, Factories and (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1916 which enables the Council to make regulations, subject to the consent of the Secretary of State, to authorise and regulate the conduct of street collections;

.

(b)       adopt the Street Collections Regulations attached to the report at Appendix A;

(c)       adopt the Street Collections Policy attached to the report at Appendix B; and

(d)       delegate authority to the Corporate Director, Place to agree a commencement date once consent has been received from the Secretary of State.

To consider a report of the Executive Member for Communities and Safety, recommended to Council by the Executive on 21 October 2024.

The Executive Member for Communities and Safety submitted a report advising the Council of the recommendations of the Executive on 21 October 2024 on how Trafford’s Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy could continue to support the Greater Manchester Clean Air Plan submission but also best secure funding support for vehicle owners.

RESOLVED: That the recommendations of the Executive on 21 November 2024 be noted and the Council agrees to:

(a)       Amend the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy to remove the following provision:

        ‘that the existing fleet be compliant with the policy standard by 31^st December 2025. This will mean that from the 1^st January 2025 a vehicle licence will not be renewed if the vehicle does not meet this standard.

        And replace with:

        ‘that the existing fleet be compliant with the age and emission standards by 31^st December 2025. A vehicle licence will be renewed in respect of a non-complaint vehicle after the 1^st January 2025 provided the vehicle passes its compliance test and age test (where appropriate).

        The licence will be issued for 12 months but will be subject to a condition that any non-compliant vehicle attached to the licence must be replaced by a compliant vehicle by the 31^st December 2025.  Where a compliant vehicle is not provided by the 31^st December 2025 the licence will be suspended until such time as a complaint vehicle is provided or the licence expires whichever is the sooner.’

(b)       Delegate authority to licensing officers to suspend hackney carriage and private hire vehicle licences for non-compliance with the age and emission standards as and when the policy comes into effect.

(c)       Delegate authority to the Public Protection Sub-Committee to make minor amendments to the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy where appropriate.

To note a joint report of the Executive Member for Finance, Change and Governance and the Director of Finance and Systems which has also been presented to the Accounts and Audit Committee on 25 September 2024 and the Executive on 21 October 2024.

The Executive Member for Finance, Change and Governance and the Director of Finance and Systems submitted a joint report outlining the main treasury management activities undertaken during 2023/24. The report had also been considered by the Accounts and Audit Committee on 25 September 2024 and the Executive on 21 October 2024.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

This Council notes:

-         That the UK is one of the world’s biggest defence equipment exporters, selling £86 billion of arms between 2010 and 2019.

-         That the Saudi Arabian military is the biggest single purchaser of UK arms, despite being accused of war crimes in Yemen.

-         The Governments of Sweden and Germany have banned the sale of weapons to Saudi Arabia, whilst the UK government continues to permit such exports and has repeatedly failed to stop selling weapons to rule breaking regimes.

-         That over half a billion pounds of council pension funds across the country have been invested in the arms trade, and more is supporting companies and states that breach international law and carry out human rights abuses.

-         This all seems in contravention of this claim in the Responsible Investment Policy of GMPF: “Embedded within GMPF’s approach to investment lies its responsibility to respect human rights...” 

-         GMPF holdings end of year 2023 include: 

BAE SYSTEMS 9,117,418

HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL 1,027,511

TEXTRON 5,431,648

RTX CORPORATION 540,768 

RTX CORPORATION 20,830,718

CATERPILLAR 2,719,342

BOEING 844,205

LEONARDO 1,356,445

THALES  22,543,801

DASSAULT 4,668,445

RHEINMETALL 6,111,897

Total: 75,192,198

-         That councils like Waltham Forrest, Islington, Liverpool City Council and Inverclyde Council have backed motions calling on pension funds to divest from the arms trade. 

This Council resolves that the Leader should write to the GMPF asking them to submit a report to as soon as practically possible to:  

-         Name investments in companies who are (i) associated with breaches of international law or human rights abuses, (ii) part of the arms industry, or (iii) operate within ‘occupied territory’ as defined by International law.

-         Outline the engagement history by the fund or its partners with these companies and sectors.

-         Explain how the fund’s Responsible Investment Policy should be applied to these companies with a view to potential divestment.

-         Outline the impact of potential divestment from this sector. 

(Notes:

1.    Councillor Evans raised a point of order under procedure rule 11.3 about the validity of the Motion that had been submitted and following the advice of the legal officer, the Mayor ruled that the Motion may proceed.

2.    The title of the Motion was altered with the consent of the meeting.

3.    Councillor Butt declared an interest as a Member of the Greater Manchester Pension Fund, remained in the meeting during consideration of the matter but did not speak or vote thereon.)

The Motion, Greater Manchester Pension Fund: Arms, Human Rights and International Law, as set out on the Summons and subject to the altered title, was moved and seconded.

Following a debate on the matter, the Motion was put to the vote and a recorded vote was called for, the result of which was as follows:

Those in favour of the Motion: Councillors Acton, Adshead, Axford, Babar, Baskerville, Bennett, Brotherton, G. Carter, K. Carter, Coggins, Cordingley, Cosby, Deakin, Gilbert, Glenton, Hartley, Hassan, Haughey, Hirst, Hornby, Hynes,  Jerrome, Jones, Leicester, Lloyd, Maitland, O’Sullivan, Patel, Parker, K. Procter, S. Procter, Ross, Slater, S. Taylor, Thomas, Thompson, Savary, Spencer, Welton, Western, Williams, Winstanley and Wright.

Those against the Motion: Councillors Duncan, Eckersley, Evans, Hancock, Holden and Zhi.

Those choosing to abstain: Councillors Brophy, Ennis, Frass, Lepori, Minnis and Newgrosh.

With the result of the vote being 43 in favour and 6 against, with 6 abstentions and the Mayor and Councillors Butt and Harding choosing not to cast a vote, the Motion was declared carried.

.

RESOLVED: That this Council notes:

-         That the UK is one of the world’s biggest defence equipment exporters, selling £86 billion of arms between 2010 and 2019.

-         That the Saudi Arabian military is the biggest single purchaser of UK arms, despite being accused of war crimes in Yemen.

-         The Governments of Sweden and Germany have banned the sale of weapons to Saudi Arabia, whilst the UK government continues to permit such exports and has repeatedly failed to stop selling weapons to rule breaking regimes.

-         That over half a billion pounds of council pension funds across the country have been invested in the arms trade, and more is supporting companies and states that breach international law and carry out human rights abuses.

-         This all seems in contravention of this claim in the Responsible Investment Policy of GMPF: “Embedded within GMPF’s approach to investment lies its responsibility to respect human rights...” 

-         GMPF holdings end of year 2023 include: 

BAE SYSTEMS 9,117,418

HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL 1,027,511

TEXTRON 5,431,648

RTX CORPORATION 540,768 

RTX CORPORATION 20,830,718

CATERPILLAR 2,719,342

BOEING 844,205

LEONARDO 1,356,445

THALES  22,543,801

DASSAULT 4,668,445

RHEINMETALL 6,111,897

Total: 75,192,198

-         That councils like Waltham Forrest, Islington, Liverpool City Council and Inverclyde Council have backed motions calling on pension funds to divest from the arms trade. 

This Council resolves that the Leader should write to the GMPF asking them to submit a report to as soon as practically possible to:  

-         Name investments in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 42.

A thriving economy and homes for all is one of Trafford Council’s new priorities.

Trafford Council recognises the acute need for affordable housing in the borough and has already secured a pipeline of affordable homes as part of current and future housing developments.

The 2024 Labour Party Manifesto set out the new Labour Government’s aspirations for social and affordable housebuilding:

“Labour will deliver the biggest increase in social and affordable housebuilding in a generation. We will strengthen planning obligations to ensure new developments provide more affordable homes; make changes to the Affordable Homes Programme to ensure that it delivers more homes from existing funding; and support councils and housing associations to build their capacity and make a greater contribution to affordable housing supply. Labour will prioritise the building of new social rented homes and better protect our existing stock by reviewing the increased right to buy discounts introduced in 2012 and increasing protections on newly-built social housing.”

In addition, GM Mayor Andy Burnham has set out his Greater Manchester Vision for Housing, within which a new Greater Manchester Housing First unit will develop a plan it will submit to Government to build a new generation of council and social housing. The aim is to build 10,000 of those homes, equating to 1000 in every Greater Manchester borough, by 2028 and within the next Mayoral term.

This Labour Council, working in partnership with GM Mayor Andy Burnham and the new Labour Government, is committed to building more affordable housing.

The Council therefore resolves to:

1.      Work closely with Greater Manchester Combined Authority to maximise the delivery of affordable housing in Borough;

2.      Explore opportunities for Truly Affordable Net Zero Homes;

3.      Work with the Labour Government to explore any future grant funding opportunities to help deliver more affordable housing and social rented homes.

The Motion, as set out on the Summons on Affordable Housing, 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 lost. The substantive Motion was then put to the vote and was carried unanimously.

RESOLVED: That a thriving economy and homes for all is one of Trafford Council’s new priorities.

Trafford Council recognises the acute need for affordable housing in the borough and has already secured a pipeline of affordable homes as part of current and future housing developments.

The 2024 Labour Party Manifesto set out the new Labour Government’s aspirations for social and affordable housebuilding:

“Labour will deliver the biggest increase in social and affordable housebuilding in a generation. We will strengthen planning obligations to ensure new developments provide more affordable homes; make changes to the Affordable Homes Programme to ensure that it delivers more homes from existing funding; and support councils and housing associations to build their capacity and make a greater contribution to affordable housing supply. Labour will prioritise the building of new social rented homes and better protect our existing stock by reviewing the increased right to buy discounts introduced in 2012 and increasing protections on newly-built social housing.”

In addition, GM Mayor Andy Burnham has set out his Greater Manchester Vision for Housing, within which a new Greater Manchester Housing First unit will develop a plan it will submit to Government to build a new generation of council and social housing. The aim is to build 10,000 of those homes, equating to 1000 in every Greater Manchester borough, by 2028 and within the next Mayoral term.

This Labour Council, working in partnership with GM Mayor Andy Burnham and the new Labour Government, is committed to building more affordable housing.

The Council therefore resolves to:

1.         Work closely with Greater Manchester Combined Authority to maximise the delivery of affordable housing in Borough;

2.         Explore opportunities for Truly Affordable Net Zero Homes;

3.         Work with the Labour Government to explore any future grant funding opportunities to help deliver more affordable housing and social rented homes.

In March 2022 Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) declared a biodiversity emergency, which was followed up by the publication of the State of Nature in Greater Manchester report in March 2024.

The GMCA has now launched a public consultation on its draft Local Nature Recovery Strategy, which will set out the action we all need to take over the next decade to respond to the biodiversity emergency.

Trafford Council has worked with the GMCA and nine other local authorities to produce the draft strategy, which will act as a road map setting out how and where everyone can work together to help nature recover across Greater Manchester.

In addition to this, the Council is fulfilling its biodiversity duty under the Environment Act 2021 in the following ways:

-         Collaboration with GMCA and Greater Manchester Ecology Unit (GMEU): The Council collaborates on Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) preparation and implementation, supported by Defra funding, GMEU surveys and reports on the condition of Sites of Biological Importance in Trafford.

-         Trafford Countryside and Nature Partnership: This partnership involves organisations like City of Trees and The Conservation Volunteers, identifying improvements at key sites across The Mersey Valley. Recent funding has supported projects at Sale Water Park, Wellacre Country Park, and Urmston Meadows.

-         Strategic Funding Bids: The Council has submitted funding bids with biodiversity components, such as the Longford Brook de-culverting project and the ‘Lost Wetlands’ study at the former William Wroe Golf Course.

-         Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS): SuDS manage surface water and provide biodiversity and amenity benefits. The Council is incorporating SuDS into the public realm, including at Kingsway in Stretford.

-         Land Management: The Council manages its land to enhance biodiversity by reducing herbicide and pesticide use. Community groups are also supported in accessing grants for biodiversity projects such as bee corridors and rewilding.

-         Tree Planting Programmes: Tree planting initiatives across Trafford are supported by the Northern Forest and Nature for Climate funding, in conjunction with City of Trees.

The Council resolves to:

1.          Promote the draft Local Nature Recovery Strategy consultation to residents and consider ways to maximise feedback.

2.          Recognise and incorporate the importance of biodiversity into the development of our Local Plan.

3.          Provide an annual update to members on our local response to the biodiversity emergency.

The Motion, as set out on the Summons on the Local Nature Recovery Strategy, was moved and seconded.

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

With no speeches on the matter, the Amendment was put to the vote and declared lost.

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 the vote and was declared lost. The substantive Motion was then put to the vote and was carried unanimously.

RESOLVED: That in March 2022 Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) declared a biodiversity emergency, which was followed up by the publication of the State of Nature in Greater Manchester report in March 2024.

The GMCA has now launched a public consultation on its draft Local Nature Recovery Strategy, which will set out the action we all need to take over the next decade to respond to the biodiversity emergency.

Trafford Council has worked with the GMCA and nine other local authorities to produce the draft strategy, which will act as a road map setting out how and where everyone can work together to help nature recover across Greater Manchester.

In addition to this, the Council is fulfilling its biodiversity duty under the Environment Act 2021 in the following ways:

-         Collaboration with GMCA and Greater Manchester Ecology Unit (GMEU): The Council collaborates on Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) preparation and implementation, supported by Defra funding, GMEU surveys and reports on the condition of Sites of Biological Importance in Trafford.

-         Trafford Countryside and Nature Partnership: This partnership involves organisations like City of Trees and The Conservation Volunteers, identifying improvements at key sites across The Mersey Valley. Recent funding has supported projects at Sale Water Park, Wellacre Country Park, and Urmston Meadows.

-         Strategic Funding Bids: The Council has submitted funding bids with biodiversity components, such as the Longford Brook de-culverting project and the ‘Lost Wetlands’ study at the former William Wroe Golf Course.

-         Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS): SuDS manage surface water and provide biodiversity and amenity benefits. The Council is incorporating SuDS into the public realm, including at Kingsway in Stretford.

-         Land Management: The Council manages its land to enhance biodiversity by reducing herbicide and pesticide use. Community groups are also supported in accessing grants for biodiversity projects such as bee corridors and rewilding.

-         Tree Planting Programmes: Tree planting initiatives across Trafford are supported by the Northern Forest and Nature for Climate funding, in conjunction with City of Trees.

The Council resolves to:

1.         Promote the draft Local Nature Recovery Strategy consultation to residents and consider ways to maximise feedback.

2.         Recognise and incorporate the importance of biodiversity into the development of our Local Plan.

3.         Provide an annual update to members on our local response to the biodiversity emergency.

This Council notes:

1.          The recent decision to house an additional 296 asylum seekers in Altrincham's Cresta Court Hotel without prior consultation with local residents or opposition councillors.

2.          The lack of transparency surrounding this decision, including the absence of a clear impact assessment on local services and communities.

3.          The potential strain on local resources, including healthcare, education, and housing, which are already under pressure.

4.          The heightened public concerns due to the lack of consultation and short notice given to residents.

5.          The proximity of Cresta Court Hotel to several schools in Altrincham, raising safeguarding concerns.

6.          Trafford Council's repeated statements that they had no knowledge of the use of Cresta Court as accommodation for asylum seekers until days prior to their arrival.

This Council believes:

1.          That decisions of this magnitude should be made with full transparency and in consultation with all stakeholders, including local residents and opposition councillors.

2.          That the current administration has failed to provide adequate information about the long-term plans and potential impacts of this decision.

3.          That there is a need for a comprehensive strategy to manage the integration of asylum seekers while safeguarding the interests of local residents.

4.          That the rapid manner in which this situation has arisen has increased tensions and the potential for discriminatory and prejudicial responses.

5.          That the additional strain on Council resources during a time of financial difficulty cannot be overstated.

This Council resolves to:

1.          Write to the Secretary of State for the Home Office, Yvette Cooper MP, asking her to:

a.    Ensure that local authorities are given at least a month's notice before future asylum seeker hotel deals are agreed, and certainly before asylum seekers are placed in the area.

b.    Ensure that in future a full risk assessment, including the particulars of the surrounding environment of any hotel, is undertaken.

c.     Ensure that asylum seeker accommodation deals are subject to a public consultation process that seeks out the opinions of potential stakeholders, such as the NHS, the police, local authorities, local businesses, and local charitable organisations.

d.    Consider including ordinary members of the public in the consultation process to address any anxiety and concerns.

2.      Call on the administration to provide a full and detailed report on the decision-making process that led to the housing of asylum seekers in Altrincham, including any risk assessments conducted.

3.      Demand the immediate establishment of a cross-party working group to oversee the implementation of asylum seeker housing policies and to ensure ongoing transparency and accountability.

4.      Request that the Council conduct and publish a comprehensive impact assessment on local services, including healthcare, education, and housing.

5.      Urge the administration to develop and present a clear strategy for community integration and support, with input from all councillors and local community groups.

6.      Insist on regular updates to the Council and the public on the progress and challenges of housing asylum seekers, including any additional costs incurred by the local authority.

7.      Call for a review of  ...  view the full agenda text for item 45.

The Motion, as set out on the Summons on Transparency, Accountability, and Community Engagement in Asylum Seeker Housing Decisions, was moved and seconded.

The Joint Amendment from the Labour and Green Party Groups , as set out and published, was moved and seconded.

(Note: During the debate on the amendment, the time being 8:53 p.m., the Mayor indicated that speeches on this matter 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 was carried unanimously. The substantive Motion was then put to the vote and was carried unanimously.

RESOLVED: That this Council notes:

1.         The recent decision to house up to 296 people seeking asylum in Altrincham's Cresta Court Hotel without prior consultation with local residents or councillors, whilst also noting the backlog in the processing of asylum claims created by the last Conservative government which means the Home Office is still having to use hotels as part of the temporary accommodation solution.

2.         The lack of information provided ahead of the decision, including the absence of a shared impact assessment on local services and communities.

3.         The potential for there to be an impact on local resources, including healthcare and housing, which are already under pressure.

4.     Acknowledges there have been questions raised by some local residents about this arrangement, given the lack of prior notice and information and recognises the need for proactive communication to address community concerns constructively and reduce tension around the arrival of people seeking asylum.

5.     Trafford Council has a duty to support people seeking asylum, many of whom have had arduous experiences and the authority has previously given a warm welcome to refugees, recognising the contribution that migrants and refugees make to our communities.

This Council believes:

1.         That decisions of this nature should be made in a transparent way, providing appropriate information to stakeholders, including local residents and councillors.

2.         That national and local bodies should collaborate as closely as possible, to ensure there is clear communication and preparedness for future plans for asylum accommodation.

3.         That there is a need for a comprehensive strategy to manage the integration of people seeking asylum, ensuring their needs are met, alongside a communication plan to alleviate public concerns and to support local residents.

4.         That the rapid manner in which this situation has arisen has the potential for tension and negative responses, which may also impact people already settled here.

5.         That there is potential for additional calls on Council resources during a time of financial difficulty.

This Council resolves to:

1.         Write to the Secretary of State for the Home Office, Yvette Cooper MP, asking her to:

a.      Ensure that local authorities are given adequate notice before future hotel deals of this kind are agreed.

b.      Ensure that appropriate risk assessments, including, for example the surrounding environment of any hotel, are considered.

c.      Provide councils with timely, factual information, including,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 45.

This Council welcomes:

The significant capital investment seen across Trafford in recent years, including Town Centre projects in Altrincham, Stretford and the forthcoming projects in Sale and Urmston, as well as a Village Centre Place Plan for Hale and the redevelopment of Partington.  

This Council recognises that:

Timperley is one of the most densely populated places in Trafford, with a varied high-street offer and a first-rate local business community.

Due to the absence of significant public realm investment of the kind undertaken elsewhere in Trafford, Timperley is at a disadvantage compared to the other urban centres in the borough.

There is a pressing need for a community-led Timperley Local Place Plan to be developed in anticipation of future opportunities to bid for urban regeneration funding.

The Executive Member for Economy and Regeneration has previously acknowledged that it is time for a Timperley Local Place Plan when responding to questions from the Liberal Democrat Group at a meeting of the Council Executive (27 November 2023). 

This Council believes that:

Timperley is a fantastic place to live, shop and do business.  Just like other localities in Trafford, a Local Place Plan would ensure Timperley can thrive and continue to contribute vital business revenue to Trafford and jobs for the local economy.  

Working in consultation with residents and businesses, a new Timperley Local Place Plan should:

1.          focus on growing the local economy, supporting local businesses to thrive through accessibility and Active Travel.

2.          focus on increasing local residents’ sense of pride in place, with an enhanced public realm and a focus on how regeneration can benefit the environment.

3.          encompass a streetscape that properly caters for the needs of the modern local economy, reflecting the desires of local businesses who want to grow by providing space for the high-street offer and night-time economy that residents want to see, including pavements suitable for outdoor dining, cafes and bars.

4.          recognise that the local area is characterised by shopping parades which exist beyond the centre of Timperley Village and a Place Plan must support those areas too.

This Council resolves to:

Instruct the Place Directorate to begin the development of a Timperley Local Place Plan in the municipal year 2025/26 in consultation with residents, businesses and elected councillors from Timperley.  

Hold public consultations to inform the development of the Timperley Local Place Plan in the municipal year 2025/26.

Proactively identify and bid on government funding streams that will enable timely delivery of the Timperley Local Place Plan as the development of the plan progresses.

The Motion, as set out on the Summons on the Timperley Local Place Plan, was moved and seconded.

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

(Note: During the debate on the Motion, the time being 9:25 p.m., the Mayor indicated that speeches on this matter would now be limited to a maximum of thirty seconds per speaker.)

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

RESOLVED: That this Council welcomes:

The significant capital investment seen across Trafford in recent years, including Town Centre projects in Altrincham, Stretford, and Partington. Further place planning work has been completed in Hale and Sale Moor, Sale Town Centre and is ongoing in Urmston.

This Council recognises that:

Timperley is one of the most densely populated places in Trafford, with a varied and thriving high-street offer and a first-rate local business community.

Like other district centre settings Timperley would benefit from public realm investment of the kind undertaken elsewhere in Trafford.

    We recognise the value that a place Plan can bring – as shown by those plans completed in Sale Moor and Hale, and currently underway in Urmston. A community-led Timperley Local Place Plan to be developed in anticipation of future opportunities to bid for urban regeneration funding.

The Executive Member for Economy and Regeneration has previously acknowledged that it is time for a Timperley Local Place Plan when responding to questions from the Liberal Democrat Group at a meeting of the Council Executive (27 November 2023). 

This Council believes that:

Timperley is a fantastic place to live, shop and do business.  Just like other localities in Trafford, a Local Place Plan would ensure Timperley can thrive and continue to contribute vital business revenue to Trafford and jobs for the local economy.  

Working in consultation with residents and businesses, a new Timperley Local Place Plan should:

1.     focus on growing the local economy, supporting local businesses to thrive through accessibility and Active Travel.

2.     focus on increasing local residents’ sense of pride in place, with an enhanced public realm and a focus on how regeneration can benefit the environment.

3.     encompass a streetscape that properly caters for the needs of the modern local economy, reflecting the desires of local businesses who want to grow by providing space for the high-street offer and night-time economy that residents want to see, including pavements suitable for outdoor dining, cafes and bars.

This Council resolves to:

Commence work on its Local Plan in 2025 which will have a place-based focus that seeks to enhance the development of localities across Trafford including Timperley.

When resources are available, commit to the development of a Timperley Local Place Plan in consultation with residents, businesses and elected councillors from Timperley.  

Hold public consultations to inform the development of the Timperley Local Place Plan.

Proactively identify and bid on  ...  view the full minutes text for item 46.