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.

There were no declarations of interest made.

To receive and, if so determined, to approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 16 September 2024.

RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the meeting held on the 16 September 2024 be approved and signed as a correct record.

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.

Two questions had been submitted for the meeting by Mr. Boyes as follows:

Question 1

Related to page 75 of the Draft Budget proposals and in particular the information about deferring the annual purchase of £50K of library books.

“What proportion of library book purchases does this sum represent? Supplementary question: Is it envisaged that the purchase of library books will be deferred in future years to help to close ongoing budget gaps?

In response, Councillor Harding, the Executive Member for Finance, Change and Governance advised that the £50K was a temporary one year saving for 2025/26 in the amount spent on book purchases and represented 22% of the overall budget.

Question 2

Related to page 51 of the Draft Budget Proposals: Section 6. Proposed 2025/26 Budget and 2026/28 MTFS and in particular the table of information at 6.1.1.

“Please could an explanation be given why Council tax appears to rise so much in 2026/2027 and then reduces in 2027/2028 whilst Business Rates Local Share falls so much in 2026/2027 and then rises in 2027/2028”

Councillor Harding, the Executive Member for Finance, Change and Governance advised that there was a typographical error in the tables and that she would send a written response to Mr. Boyes with the updated tables.

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

No matters had been referred from Council or the Overview and Scrutiny Committees.

For the Executive to consider a report on budget proposals 25/26 and the MTFS.

That the Executive:

(1)       Approves the 2025/28 proposed budget strategy, including the 2025/26 draft revenue budget and the 2026/28 MTFS, noting that the draft income and savings proposals are included for the purposes of informing the Executive of the intended consultations which will be undertaken (where necessary and/or required).

(2)       Notes the draft proposal to increase Council Tax by 4.99% in 2025/26 (comprising 2.0% adult social care precept and 2.99% general increase) and by 2.99% (comprising 1% adults social care precept and 1.99% general increase) for the remaining years of the MTFS 2026/28.

(3)       Notes that the draft proposals are subject to various consultation exercises, further analysis of reserves, savings and income including impact assessments, potential future movements in core funding and specific grants, revised costings and robustness assessments and that these proposals will be subject to a future decision making process which will include a referral to the Scrutiny Committee for their consideration.

(4)       Notes the assumptions made in setting the MTFS in Section 4 and the degree of uncertainty as detailed in the report.

(5)       Notes the remaining budget gap for the years 2026/27 to 2027/28 as identified in the report.

(6)       Notes the commentary of the Director of Finance and Systems, the Council’s statutory S151 officer, regarding the financial sustainability of the Council contained in Section 1 of the report.

(7)       Notes that the bidding process for Capital Programme is ongoing and the prioritisation process to be undertaken to compile an affordable capital programme 2025/26 to 2027/28.

(8)       Notes the continued use of flexible use of capital receipts to support in part the cost of the Modernisation Team in developing the Council’s Finance and Change Programme for 2025/26.

The Executive Member for Finance, Change and Governance and the Director of Finance and Systems submitted a report setting out the Council’ budgetary position, providing details of historical context and rationale for the identification of budget proposals to be further developed to address future financial gaps. The report contained the Executive’s updated 3-year budget strategy proposals and included the draft revenue budget proposals for 2025/26 and the Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) for the period 2026/28.

The Executive Member for Highways, Environmental and Traded Services spoke to assure members on actions to maintain school crossing patrols, contrary to recent media speculation.

In discussion, queries were raised regarding a range of issues, including: the historic funding position, lobbying and comparators with closest statistical neighbours; the robustness of the financial proposals; significant financial pressures and growing pressures in the High Needs Block; and the Manchester Airport dividend.

In the absence of the Executive Member for Healthy and Independent Lives and the Director of Public Health, Councillor Evans’ queries on the savings on Public Health Grant Maximisation and the Public Health Reserve given the deficit reported in the last budget monitor and a suggestion that this would be recovered from the NHS, would need to be revisited. Councillor Welton queried whether the use of the Public Health Grant could be reviewed and the Leader of the Council suggested that a review of preventative measures could be addressed through the scrutiny process. Councillor Welton also could not find mention of the review of parking charges mentioned the previous year and information on that was to be provided to him.

RESOLVED: That the Executive:

(1)       Approves the 2025/28 proposed budget strategy, including the 2025/26 draft revenue budget and the 2026/28 MTFS, noting that the draft income and savings proposals are included for the purposes of informing the Executive of the intended consultations which will be undertaken (where necessary and/or required).

(2)       Notes the draft proposal to increase Council Tax by 4.99% in 2025/26 (comprising 2.0% adult social care precept and 2.99% general increase) and by 2.99% (comprising 1% adults social care precept and 1.99% general increase) for the remaining years of the MTFS 2026/28.

(3)       Notes that the draft proposals are subject to various consultation exercises, further analysis of reserves, savings and income including impact assessments, potential future movements in core funding and specific grants, revised costings and robustness assessments and that these proposals will be subject to a future decision making process which will include a referral to the Scrutiny Committee for their consideration.

(4)       Notes the assumptions made in setting the MTFS in Section 4 and the degree of uncertainty as detailed in the report.

(5)       Notes the remaining budget gap for the years 2026/27 to 2027/28 as identified in the report.

(6)       Notes the commentary of the Director of Finance and Systems, the Council’s statutory S151 officer, regarding the financial sustainability of the Council contained in Section 1 of the report.

(7)       Notes that the bidding process for Capital Programme is ongoing  ...  view the full minutes text for item 39.

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

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 Director of Finance and Systems indicated that he would provide information to Councillor Butt in relation to his question about the debt facility for one of the Council’s property investments.

RESOLVED: That the Executive notes the report and that it will also be presented to the Council meeting on 20 November 2024.

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

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 now due for review. The report outlines the review process and presents an unamended but reviewed policy to the Council for approval.

RESOLVED –

(1)       That the proposal not to amend the Council’s current Gambling Policy pending further legislation and guidance from the Government, be noted.

(2)       That the responses to the proposals following a six week’s consultation, be noted.

(3)       That the Council be recommended to adopt the unamended Statement of Gambling Principles, as attached at Appendix A.

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

The Executive Member for Communities and Safety submitted a report advising on the Council’s policy and regulatory regime towards charitable street collections and recommended the adoption of the regime permitted by section 5 of the Police, Factories &c (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1916, together with proposed local regulations and a policy.

Councillor Welton suggested that the proposals would not apply to charity “chuggers” and the Corporate Director of Place advised that the issue would be given further consideration.

RESOLVED: That Council be recommended to:

(a)       adopt section 5 of the Police, Factories &c (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;

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(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.

The Executive Member for Communities and Safety submitted a report advising that a decision was required 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.

Responding to Councillor Evans’ query about NO² exceedances in Trafford over the past two years, the Corporate Director of Place indicated the figures were published on the Council’s website and he would provide him with the link.

RESOLVED: That Council be recommended 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 consider a report of the Executive Member for Economy and Regeneration.

(1)       That the proposals for the Development, be noted.

(2)       That to RIBA Stage 4 design and then the delivery of 9 houses on the site (the Development), be approved.

(3)       That the Corporate Director of Place be delegated authority to:

a.      Submit a planning application and undertake the Development, subject to the parameters in this report,

b.      engage external professional resources as required to assist in implementing the Development,

c.      Negotiate and finalise any agreement contract or other document required to deliver the Development and any associated disposals.

d.      agree any licence or approve the grant of any easement or lease or any other disposal, including where that disposal taken in isolation would constitute a disposal at undervalue, which is designed or intended to implement or facilitate the Development.

e.      authorise a marketing, pricing and disposal strategy and authorise the sale of plots including where the anticipated or actual capital receipt exceeds £499,999.

(4)       That the Director of Legal and Governance be authorised to enter into all legal agreements required to implement the above decisions.

The Executive Member for Economy and Regeneration submitted a report seeking approval for the development of 9 homes at Stokoe Avenue, Altrincham.

          RESOLVED -

(1)       That the proposals for the Development, be noted.

(2)       That to RIBA Stage 4 design and then the delivery of 9 houses on the site (the Development), be approved.

(3)       That the Corporate Director of Place be delegated authority to:

a.      Submit a planning application and undertake the Development, subject to the parameters in this report,

b.      engage external professional resources as required to assist in implementing the Development,

c.      Negotiate and finalise any agreement contract or other document required to deliver the Development and any associated disposals.

d.      agree any licence or approve the grant of any easement or lease or any other disposal, including where that disposal taken in isolation would constitute a disposal at undervalue, which is designed or intended to implement or facilitate the Development.

e.      authorise a marketing, pricing and disposal strategy and authorise the sale of plots including where the anticipated or actual capital receipt exceeds £499,999.

(4)       That the Director of Legal and Governance be authorised to enter into all legal agreements required to implement the above decisions.

To consider a joint report of the Executive Member for Culture, Leisure, and Strategic Partnerships and the Executive Member for Economy and Regeneration.

That the Executive:

(1)       Approves the proposed disposal of the Old Trafford Sports Barn (OTSB) to the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) as a Community Asset Transfer (CAT) by way of two leases, one of the areas shaded red including a hatched blue on the plan and one of the area shaded green on the plan (Appendix 1).

(2)       Approves the full business plan (Part 2) for the future operation of OTSB by SPV.

(3)       Approves the completion of an agreement between the Council, Trafford Leisure Community Interest Company Limited (“Trafford Leisure”) and SPV of the transition arrangements detailed in this report (“the Transition Agreement”).

(4)       Delegates authority to the Corporate Director of Place, in consultation with the Corporate Director of Finance and Systems and the Director of Legal and Governance to approve minor amendments to the full business plan (Part 2) for the future operation of OTSB by SPV.

(5)       Delegates authority to the Corporate Director of Place, in consultation with the Director of Finance and Systems and the Director of Legal and Governance to agree the final head of terms of the proposed leases to completion including any other documents necessary to implement the decision of the Executive.

(6)       Delegates authority to the Corporate Director of Place in consultation with the Director of Legal and Governance and the Director of Finance and Systems to enter into a funding agreement offered to the project and the terms and conditions associated with receiving a funding offer from Sport England and the Football Foundation.

(7)       Delegates authority to the Corporate Director of Place to submit planning permission for building works at Old Trafford Sports Barn subject to external funding secured.

(8)       Notes the provision of Early Years childcare provider at OTSB for minimum of 5 years, subject to an alternative site being sourced by either Trafford Council, SPV or the Early Years operator on site.

(9)       Notes Transfer of Undertakings of Pension and Employment rights (TUPE) may apply.

(10)    Notes Seymour Park is registered as an Asset of Community Value (ACV) and that the disposal of OTSB will be subject to the requirements for an ACV.

The Executive Member for Economy and Regeneration and Executive Member for Culture, Leisure, and Strategic Partnerships submitted a joint report on the Community Asset Transfer of Old Trafford Sports Barn.

RESOLVED: That the Executive:

(1)       Approves the proposed disposal of the Old Trafford Sports Barn (OTSB) to the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) as a Community Asset Transfer (CAT) by way of two leases, one of the areas shaded red including a hatched blue on the plan and one of the area shaded green on the plan (Appendix 1).

(2)       Approves the full business plan (Part 2) for the future operation of OTSB by SPV.

(3)       Approves the completion of an agreement between the Council, Trafford Leisure Community Interest Company Limited (“Trafford Leisure”) and SPV of the transition arrangements detailed in this report (“the Transition Agreement”).

(4)       Delegates authority to the Corporate Director of Place, in consultation with the Corporate Director of Finance and Systems and the Director of Legal and Governance to approve minor amendments to the full business plan (Part 2) for the future operation of OTSB by SPV.

(5)       Delegates authority to the Corporate Director of Place, in consultation with the Director of Finance and Systems and the Director of Legal and Governance to agree the final head of terms of the proposed leases to completion including any other documents necessary to implement the decision of the Executive.

(6)       Delegates authority to the Corporate Director of Place in consultation with the Director of Legal and Governance and the Director of Finance and Systems to enter into a funding agreement offered to the project and the terms and conditions associated with receiving a funding offer from Sport England and the Football Foundation.

(7)       Delegates authority to the Corporate Director of Place to submit planning permission for building works at Old Trafford Sports Barn subject to external funding secured.

(8)       Notes the provision of Early Years childcare provider at OTSB for minimum of 5 years, subject to an alternative site being sourced by either Trafford Council, SPV or the Early Years operator on site.

(9)       Notes Transfer of Undertakings of Pension and Employment rights (TUPE) may apply.

(10)    Notes Seymour Park is registered as an Asset of Community Value (ACV) and that the disposal of OTSB will be subject to the requirements for an ACV.

To consider a joint report of the Executive Member for Housing and Advice and the Executive Member for Finance, Change and Governance.

That the Executive:

(1)       Approves the proposals contained in the report and agrees to the start of a formal consultation exercise to take place between 28 October and 17 November 2024.

(2)       Notes that the outcome of the consultation will be reported back to the Executive in December 2024.

The Executive Member for Housing and Advice and the Executive Member for Finance, Change and Governance submitted a joint report proposing changes to the Council’s Council Tax Support Scheme from April 2025. The changes were proposed so that the scheme was easier to understand and administer and was a simplified claims process for working age residents in receipt of welfare benefits who had been moving, and would continue to then move at pace, on to Universal Credit.

The report also sought approval from the Executive to formally consult on the proposals that change the scheme for working age residents from April 2025.

        RESOLVED: That the Executive:

(1)       Approves the proposals contained in the report and agrees to the start of a formal consultation exercise to take place between 28 October and 17 November 2024.

(2)       Notes that the outcome of the consultation will be reported back to the Executive in December 2024.

Motion   (Which may be amended as Members think fit):

            That the public be excluded from this meeting during consideration of the remaining items on the agenda, because of the likelihood of disclosure of “exempt information” which falls within one or more descriptive category or categories of the Local Government Act 1972, Schedule 12A, as amended by The Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006, and specified on the agenda item or report relating to each such item respectively.

RESOLVED: That the public be excluded from this meeting during consideration of the remaining items on the agenda, because of the likelihood of disclosure of “exempt information” which falls within one or more descriptive category or categories of the Local Government Act 1972, Schedule 12A, as amended by The Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006 and specified on the agenda item or report relating to each such item respectively.

To consider a report of the Executive Member for Economy and Regeneration.

As per the decision record for the report considered in the public part of the agenda.

The Executive Member for Economy and Regeneration submitted a report containing the financial details for the development of 9 homes at Stokoe Avenue, Altrincham.

RESOLVED: That the confidential report be noted and the decision be confirmed as set out for the report considered in the public part of the agenda.

To consider a joint report of the Executive Member for Economy and Regeneration and the Executive Member for Culture, Leisure, and Strategic Partnerships.

As per the decision record for the report considered in the public part of the agenda, having given specific consideration of the full business plan (Part 2) for the future operation of OTSB by SPV.

The Executive Member for Economy and Regeneration and Executive Member for Culture, Leisure, and Strategic Partnerships submitted a joint report on the Community Asset Transfer of Old Trafford Sports Barn (OTSB) which included the full business plan (Part 2) for the future operation of OTSB by Special Purpose Vehicle.

RESOLVED: That the confidential report be noted and the decision be confirmed as set out for the report considered in the public part of the agenda.