A maximum of 15 minutes will be allocated to public questions submitted in writing to Democratic Services (democratic.services@trafford.gov.uk) by 4 p.m. on the working day prior to the meeting. Questions must be relevant to items appearing on the agenda and will be submitted in the order in which they were received.

It was noted that no questions had been received for referral to the current meeting.

Members to give notice of any interest and the nature of that interest relating to any item on the agenda in accordance with the adopted Code of Conduct.

Councillor Whitham declared a Personal Interest in Item 56 in relation to his employment within the VCSE Sector and membership of the VCSE Leadership Group.

To receive and, if so determined, to approve as a correct record the Minutes of the Meetings held on:

27^th September 2021

11^th October 2021 (Budget Proposals)

25^th October 2021.

In introducing this item, the Corporate Director of Governance and Community Strategy made reference to Minutes 38 and 39 of the meeting held on 25^th October, 2021, in relation to the petition and question on the CAT5 bus service. It had been intended, at that meeting, for supplementary material relating to the petition, and the question, to be read out verbatim at that meeting; but an unusual combination of circumstances had meant that this had been inadvertently omitted. Whilst key Members had been aware of its content at the time, the relevant material was thus read out, for the record, at the current meeting. Members’ attention was drawn to the response given at the meeting on 25^th October, as reflected in the Minutes; and were advised that a supplementary written response had also been issued following that meeting.

RESOLVED – That the Minutes of the Meetings held on 27^th September, 11^th October and 25^th October 2021 be approved as correct records.

To consider any matters referred by the Council or by the Overview and Scrutiny Committees.

There were no issues to reported from Council or Scrutiny Committees to the current meeting.

To consider a report of the Executive Member for COVID-19 Recovery and Reform.

[PLEASE NOTE: The Corporate Plan Refresh brochure will be circulated under separate cover.]

The Executive Member for COVID-19 Recovery and Reform submitted a report which provided a summary of the Council’s refreshed Corporate Plan. Members were advised that, since the previous referral to the Executive, the plan had been amended to focus more sharply on three key priorities, namely reducing health inequalities, supporting people out of poverty and addressing the climate crisis.

In discussion, a number of queries were raised regarding the nature of, and metrics associated with, a number of proposed performance indicators and measures. It was noted that the document was intended to be dynamic and responsive, and that consideration could be given to the incorporation of suggestions made. It was noted that the document would be of benefit in emphasising the Council’s key priorities to other stakeholders, and that a communications exercise would be undertaken following its formal adoption by Council.

            RESOLVED -

(1)       That the refreshed Corporate Plan be approved and that its adoption be recommended to Council.

(2)       That the reporting schedule for Corporate Plan updates be noted.

To consider a report of the Executive Member for Environmental and Regulatory Services.

The Executive Member for Environment and Regulatory Servicessubmitted a report which provides updated information to Members relating to the rollout and options associated with the introduction of EV charge points across Trafford. It was noted that, in view of the rapid development of technology in this area, the proposals now set out were designed to assist with the assessment of demand levels in the locality. An opportunity was provided for discussion, and issues raised centred on: the rollout timescale; the interface with plans being developed across Greater Manchester; and potential arrangements for, and private sector involvement with, the development of facilities for electric car clubs. It was agreed that further information would be provided on the source of electricity for charging points, plans in relation to on-street facilities, and the rationale for the current number of proposed bays in Urmston.

            RESOLVED -

(1)       That the outcome of the GMCA Contract with Be.EV (Iduna) relating to EV charge points in Trafford be noted.

(2)       That the approach for the rollout of EV charge points in Trafford, as outlined in the report, be approved.

(3)       That the entering into of leases with Be.EV for rollout of EV charge points across Trafford be approved in principle and that authority be delegated to the Corporate Director of Place to finalise the terms of the leases.

(4)       That authority be delegated to the Corporate Director of Place, in consultation with the Corporate Director for Governance and Community Strategy and the Director of Finance and Systems and relevant Executive Members, to enter into negotiations and agree future investment opportunities for rollout of EV charging points and hubs through JV or other partnership vehicle.

(5)       That authority be delegated to the Corporate Director of Governance and Community Strategy to complete any documents required to give effect to the proposals contained in the report.

To consider a report of the Executive Member for Environmental and Regulatory Services, for information and recommendation to Council.

The Executive Member for Environmental and Regulatory Services submitted a report which gave details of the requirement for the Council to prepare, consult on and publish a Statement of Gambling Principles in accordance with the Gambling Act 2005; and invited the Executive to consider the summary of responses received following the statutory consultation, and recommend to Council the adoption of the Statement of Gambling Principles. Support was expressed for the focus, in determining the proposals, on public health aspects of gambling.

            RESOLVED -

(1)       That the feedback from the recent public and trade consultation on the proposed Statement of Gambling Principles be noted.

(2)       That Council be recommended to adopt the Statement of Gambling Principles 2022-2025 as attached at Appendix 3 to the report.

To consider a report of the Executive Member for Environmental and Regulatory Services, for information and recommendation to Council.

The Executive Member for Environmental and Regulatory Services submitted a report which set out the proposed Greater Manchester Minimum Licensing Standards (MLS) for Taxi and Private Hire. The report represented Stage Two of the Standards which related to Vehicles. (Stage One had related to Drivers, Operators and Local Authorities and those proposals had been reported to Executive in September.) The current report set out the responses to the recent public and trade consultation for Stage Two, and outlined the proposed standards, policies and procedures which would be considered by Council on 24^th November 2021.

In discussion Councillor Welton drew attention to issues raised by an interested party in respect of taxi vehicles providing services for disabled customers. It was noted that the issues closely related to developing proposals in relation to Greater Manchester’s Clean Air Plan; and that a full response would be given outside the meeting.

            RESOLVED -

(1)       That feedback from the recent public and trade consultation on the proposed Greater Manchester Minimum Licensing Standards for Taxi and Private Hire be noted.

(2)       That Council be recommended to approve that:

·         Wheel-chair access for licensed hackney carriage vehicles is applied as per Standard 1 in Table A of the report.

·         age limits for vehicles are applied as per Standard 2 in Table A of the report.

·         emission standards for vehicles are applied as per Standard 3 in Table A of the report

·         the standards for vehicle colour are applied as per Standard 4 in Table A of the report.

·         the standard for livery for vehicles is applied as per Standard 5 in Table A of the report.

·         the standards for vehicle testing are applied as per Standard 6 in Table A of the report

·         the provision of CCTV in vehicles is applied as per Standard 7 in Table A of the report.

·         the standards for Executive hire are applied as per Standard 8 in Table A of the report.

·         the standards for Executive hire are applied as per Standard 8 in Table A of the report.

·         vehicle design standards are applied as per Standard 9 in Table A of the report.

·         vehicle conditions are applied as per Appendix 2 of the report and Standard 10 in Table A of the report.

·         the implementation dates for standards and conditions contained within the report within Table A are applied. 

(3)       That the Equalities Impact Assessment, as set out at Appendix 3 to the report, be noted.

To consider a report of the Executive Member for Communities and Partnerships.

NOTE: Councillor Whitham declared a Personal Interest in this item in relation to his employment within the VCSE Sector and membership of the VCSE Leadership Group.]

The Executive Member for Communities and Partnerships submitted a report which advised Members that the GM VCSE Accord Agreement was a three-way collaboration agreement between GMCA, GM Health and Social Care Partnership and the GM VCSE Sector, represented by the GM VCSE Leadership Group. The agreement had been refreshed and signed off at the September GMCA meeting, with a request for each Council to consider approving and endorsing the new agreement. The report provided Members with details of the new agreement and the implications of the commitments set out in the agreement for Trafford. The Executive was advised that a VCSE Strategy was in development; the principles of the accord would inform this, and the Council’s impending renewal of contracting arrangements for the support of the sector.

          RESOLVED -

(1)      That the new GM VCSE Accord as presented in the annex attached to the report, and the implications that the commitments it contains will have on work with the VCSE sector in Trafford,be noted.

(2)      That the new GM VCSE Accord be approved, and endorsement confirmed on behalf of Trafford.

To consider a report of the Executive Member for Health, Wellbeing and Equalities.

The Executive Member for Health, Wellbeing and Equalities submitted a report which advised that self-assessment was required to be undertaken in order to achieve the Carer Confident Quality standard, via membership of the GM Employers for Carers Consortium, facilitated by Carers UK. The standard demonstrated a commitment as an employer to improve working conditions for employees who had unpaid / informal caring responsibilities. The report provides Members with further details regarding the quality accreditation and set out proposals which would enable Trafford Council to progress the quality accreditation attainment.

In discussion, the benefits of the proposal were emphasised, not least in view of the support provided by unpaid and informal carers to the formal health and social care services.

          RESOLVED -

(1)      That the proposals which would enable Trafford Council to progress the quality accreditation attainment be approved.

(2)      That approval be given to the proposals to embed quality principles within commissioning practices across the Council, once the quality accreditation is attained.

To consider a report of the Executive Member for Finance and Governance and the Director of Finance and Systems.

The Executive Member for Finance and Governance and the Director of Finance and Systems submitted a report which informed Members of the current 2021/22 forecast outturn figures relating to both Revenue and Capital budgets. It also summarised the latest forecast position for Council Tax and Business Rates within the Collection Fund. In discussion, comments were raised on issues including: the future of grant-based hardship funds (with further information to be provided on the remaining funding); the budgetary impact of Covid-related temporary staffing; and income from the Council’s strategic investments.

RESOLVED – That the updated positions on the revenue budget, collection fund and capital programme be noted.