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 reported that four questions had been received, as set out below, all in relation to Agenda Item 9, Sale Moor and Hale Place Plans. Questions 1, 2 and 4 related broadly to process issues; Question 3 related to specific technical details of the proposals.

Question 1

The community of Hale would like to question why Trafford Council is adding to the anxiety, resulting from these unprecedented times of a global pandemic, of the Hale Community by wanting to proceed with the Hale Village Place Plan, despite multiple inaccuracies and many changes since the initial consultations, and with the added insult of the community not being listened to or having taken into account the various consultations & documentation provided by other stakeholders, local businesses & the wider community.

Denise Laver Chairman Hale Civic Society 

Question 2

‘Why is Trafford Council behaving in such an undemocratic way to force through a deeply unpopular plan for Hale, that is likely to damage the village beyond measure, in a time of such unprecedented crisis and change?

Bill Clark. Managing Director. Clark Art Ltd 155, Ashley Road Hale

Question 3

1. Residents keep telling me they are worried about road safety in Hale. The Hale plan removes a signalled pelican crossing and replaces it with the sort of confusing crossings we have on Stamford New Road. Why has this choice been made when these crossing points have created a lot of difficulties in Altrincham. They cause confusion about who has right of way and issues with accessibility?  What equality impact assessment has been done, and will use of textile paving and other accessibility features comply with all relevant international/national standards?

2. We need to support our local businesses by giving people choices about how they get around their area and move freely. On p38 of the Hale plan under the movement objectives it states 'To support the improvement of accessibility to and within the centre for pedestrians and cyclists and to encourage sustainable means of transport'.  Why in the detailed objectives or the rest of the plan are there no proposals to create segregated cycle ways?

3. In November 2018 Trafford Council declared a climate emergency whereby the council to consider the Climate Emergency impact of each area of the Council’s activities. Given that commitment, why do the Hale and Sale Moor Place Plans not have the need to create a development that supports action on climate change as a central purpose?

Jane Leicester Chair of Trafford Green Party

Question 4

“Why have the Executive Council failed to warn, advise, inform, allow consultation or allow any input into this ill conceived Place Plan for the Village of Sale Moor.

The Village of Sale Moor and all its Businesses are horrified by the underhanded and covert action that is taking place without or Knowledge and we are asking WHY are behaving in this covert manner?”

We would deeply appreciate your input and directions as to what we can now do and we await your instructions therefore  ...  view the full minutes text for item 153.

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.

No declarations were made by Executive Members.

To receive and, if so determined, to approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 20^th July 2020.

RESOLVED – That the Minutes of the meeting held on 20^th July 2020 be approved as a correct record.

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

It was noted that there were no items to be reported to the current meeting.

To consider a report of the Executive Member for Environment, Air Quality and Climate Change.

1. That the progress on the recommendations made by the Climate Emergency Scrutiny Committee Task and Finish Group be noted.

2. That the progress made by the Council on implementing climate change measures in the borough be noted.

3. That the Trafford Carbon Neutral Framework Report produced by Anthesis be noted and that its publication on the Council’s website be agreed.

4. That approval be given to the proposed governance arrangements through the expansion of the existing Trafford Air Quality Commission into a Trafford Air Quality and Climate Change Commission.

 5. That approval be given to the initial Draft Carbon Neutral Action Plan, with a final draft and update to be brought back to Executive in December 2020.

The Executive Member for Environment, Air Quality and Climate Changesubmitted a report which provided an update on progress since the Council’s Climate Emergency Declaration of 28^th November 2018 and the report and recommendations of the Scrutiny Committee Task and Finish Group for Climate Change. It also described a Carbon Neutral Framework produced via consultants Anthesis, proposed new working and governance arrangements and the proposed scope and content of a Draft Trafford Carbon Neutral Action Plan. In discussion Members noted that this work represented the beginning of a challenging agenda, with further action to be undertaken on the issues now set out.

            RESOLVED -

(1)       That the progress on the recommendations made by the Climate Emergency Scrutiny Committee Task and Finish Group be noted.

(2)       That the progress made by the Council on implementing climate change measures in the borough be noted.

(3)       That the Trafford Carbon Neutral Framework Report produced by Anthesis be noted and that its publication on the Council’s website be agreed.

(4)       That approval be given to the proposed governance arrangements through the expansion of the existing Trafford Air Quality Commission into a Trafford Air Quality and Climate Change Commission.

(5)       That approval be given to the initial Draft Carbon Neutral Action Plan, with a final draft and update to be brought back to Executive in December 2020.

To consider a report of the Executive Member for Environment, Air Quality and Climate Change.

1. That the progress of the Greater Manchester (GM) Clean Air Plan be noted.

2. That it be noted that Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) have confirmation that the funding award for Bus Retrofit should be distributed as soon as possible as per arrangements put in place for the Clean Bus Technology Funds.

3. That the update on the possible impacts of COVID-19 on the GM Clean Air Plan be noted.

4. That it be agreed that Trafford along with the other nine GM local Authorities hold an 8-week public consultation on the GM Clean Air Plan commencing in October 2020.

5. That it be noted that the GM local Authorities intend to consult on GM’s proposed Minimum Licensing Standards, alongside the Clean Air Plan consultation.

6. That it be noted that Trafford also intends to consult on Trafford’s proposed Hackney Carriage and Private HireLicensing Policy in parallel with the consultations on the Clean Air Plan and GM Minimum Licensing Standards.

7. That it be agreed that TfGM act as the Operating Body for the GM Clean Air Zone (CAZ) and supporting measures as set out at paragraph 8.5 of the report.

8. That it be agreed that Trafford along with the other nine GM Authorities individually be a ‘charging authority’ for the purposes of the CAZ, pursuant to the Transport Act 2000.

9. That the GM Clean Air Plan Policy for Consultation at Appendix 3 to the report be endorsed.

10. That the Equalities Impact Assessment on the Clean Air Plan, as set out at Appendix 5 to the report, be noted.

11. That it be noted that further reports will be brought forward to set out the formal governance mechanisms that will underpin the delivery of a GM Clean Air Zone (CAZ) and the supporting measures, including the full scope of the suite of powers that will be needed to be delegated to the Operating Body.

12. That a delegation be agreed to the Corporate Director, Place to approve the submission of the cases for measures to the Government's Joint Air Quality Unit to support the GM Clean Air Plan.

13. That a delegation be agreed to the Corporate Director, Place to approve the GM Clean Air Plan consultation materials, to include the Equalities Impact Assessment on the consultation.

14. That it be noted that a response to Department for Transport’s (DfT’s) Decarbonising Transport – setting the challenge, as set out at Appendix 1 to the report, has been submitted to Government.

15. That, for the reasons set out in the report, this decision should be considered to be urgent and therefore not subject to call in.

The Executive Member for Environment, Air Quality and Climate Changesubmitted a report which set out progress that had been made on the development of Greater Manchester’s Clean Air Plan following the decision that the GM Local Authorities will move to a statutory public consultation on the GM Clean Air Plan as soon as reasonably practicable in light of COVID-19 restrictions, and the link to the consultation on taxi and private hire common Minimum Licensing Standards. It also considered the formal governance mechanisms that will underpin the delivery of a GM Clean Air Zone (CAZ) and the supporting measures. It did not seek a decision on whether to introduce a scheme, as that has been mandated by the Secretary of State. It set out a position for consultation on the daily charge, discounts and exemptions of a Category C GM Clean Air Zone, and the proposals for the supporting funds that had been developed taking stakeholder engagement and statistical modelling into account. It sought agreement to consult and endorsement of the policy for consultation, which would be reviewed in line with the findings from the statutory consultation.

An opportunity was provided to Members to raise issues in relation to the report’s content. These included: the statutory nature of the process and the Government’s stance on the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic; the approach being adopted by certain other local authorities; and the question of reduced speed limits, which was being taken forward in other current workstreams.

              RESOLVED -

(1)       That the progress of the Greater Manchester (GM) Clean Air Plan be noted.

(2)       That it be noted that Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) have confirmation that the funding award for Bus Retrofit should be distributed as soon as possible as per arrangements put in place for the Clean Bus Technology Funds.

(3)       That the update on the possible impacts of COVID-19 on the GM Clean Air Plan be noted.

(4)       That it be agreed that Trafford along with the other nine GM local Authorities hold an 8-week public consultation on the GM Clean Air Plan commencing in October 2020.

(5)       That it be noted that the GM local Authorities intend to consult on GM’s proposed Minimum Licensing Standards, alongside the Clean Air Plan consultation.

(6)       That it be noted that Trafford also intends to consult on Trafford’s proposed Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy in parallel with the consultations on the Clean Air Plan and GM Minimum Licensing Standards.

(7)       That it be agreed that TfGM act as the Operating Body for the GM Clean Air Zone (CAZ) and supporting measures as set out at paragraph 8.5 of the report.

(8)       That it be agreed that Trafford along with the other nine GM Authorities individually be a ‘charging authority’ for the purposes of the CAZ, pursuant to the Transport Act 2000.

(9)       That the GM Clean Air Plan Policy for Consultation at Appendix 3 to the report be endorsed.

(10)     That the Equalities Impact Assessment on the Clean  ...  view the full minutes text for item 158.

To consider a report of the Executive Member for Culture and Leisure.

The Executive Member for Culture and Leisure submitted a report further to the consideration in June 2020 by the Executive of a report regarding Sale Sharks’ vision and ambition to return to their hometown of Sale, and their proposals for the creation of a new community sports and activity hub at Crossford Bridge. The Executive had noted that the proposal would be subject to engagement with the local community, and that a further report would be brought to Executive on the conclusion of the initial phase of engagement. The current report set out the conclusions of the first phase of engagement. In discussion, thanks were expressed to all participants, including Sale Sharks, for their meaningful engagement with the consultation; and the Executive’s ambition was emphasised to secure enhanced investment in an open and transparent manner.

            RESOLVED –

(1)       That the extensive engagement carried out with local residents be noted.

(2)       That the conclusion be noted that the local engagement phase one consultation did not demonstrate a clear balance of support for the proposals from residents or current users of Crossford Bridge.

(3)       That it be note that on the basis of the results of the engagement programme to date the Council is not minded to support the proposal.

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

1. That the Sale Moor and Hale Place Plans be approved.

2. That the Action Plans for Sale Moor and Hale be approved and that the measures identified to improve both District Centres be explored.

3. That the main improvement areas identified in the Sale Moor and Hale Place Plans be agreed.

The Executive Member for Housing and Regenerationsubmitted a report which presented for approval the Sale Moor and Hale Place Plans, which had been developed with the involvement of the local community, businesses and stakeholders and which identified opportunities to improve both centres for those who live, work, visit and spend time there. The Place Plans would assist in ensuring both centres met their full potential and support the recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic; and would be a material consideration in the determination of planning applications in the centres and will sit alongside the Council’s Core Strategy and support preparation and delivery of the emerging Trafford Local Plan.

As reported earlier in these Minutes (Minute 153 refers), four public questions had been received in relation to this item; and the discussion commenced with the Executive Member for Housing and Regeneration and the Leader of the Council responding to those questions, as set out below.

Response to Question 3:

Point 1: The crossing points on Stamford New Road were completed in Spring 2017. Following implementation of these crossings, there were some initial enquiries relating to how they worked but since then there have been no enquiries received by the Council’s Highways team in relation to the crossings. The Council are also not aware of any injuries or accidents relating to anyone using the crossings and notes that they have resulted in a slight reduction in vehicle speed on Stamford New Road. The crossing proposed in Hale would not necessarily be designed in the same way as those on Stamford New Road and would be subject to a full and detailed design process, including assessment of their impact and compliance with all relevant standards.

Point 2: As part of the process of preparing the Plan, the option of providing a segregated cycle lane was explored and a number of possibilities in regards to cycling facilities have been discussed with the local community and key stakeholders in the area. However, in order to ensure that we retain the same number of parking spaces in the centre of Hale (which is one of the key messages the team heard from some of the local community and businesses), to ensure that pavements are wide enough and safe for people walking around the centre and to ensure that businesses have enough space to have seating outdoors to enable to comply with social distancing, at present, a dedicated cycle lane would not be feasible. A number of safe and appropriate cycling facilities are considered appropriate in the Plan such as those included as part of the Parklet idea on Page 52 of the Place Plan, and additional cycle parking facilities.

Point 3: As related to the previous agenda items on the Trafford Climate Emergency Progress Report and Greater Manchester’s Clean Air Plan, the Council is committed to ensuring that any development proposed will support Trafford in reducing its carbon emissions to meet Climate Emergency, GM and Government targets and commitments on carbon neutrality. Any future formal, detailed  ...  view the full minutes text for item 160.

To consider a report of the Executive Member for Public Safety, Governance and Reform.

The Executive Member for Public Safety, Governance and Reform submitted a report which provided a summary of performance against the Council’s Corporate Plan, 2020/21, covering the period 1^st April 2020 to 30^th June 2020.  The Executive Member advised that the Corporate Plan on a Page had been reviewed following the first year of the Corporate Plan, and drew attention to recommendations to enhance it for the next 12 months.

            RESOLVED –

(1)       That the content of the Corporate Plan Quarter 1 Report be noted.

(2)       That the proposed changes to the plan be agreed as set out in paragraphs 4.4 and 4.5 and Appendix 2 to the report.

To consider a report of the Executive Member for Finance and Investment and Corporate Director, Finance and Systems.

The Executive Member for Finance and Investment and the Corporate Director of Finance and Systemssubmitted a report which informed Members of the current 2020/21 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. Members were provided with an update on the proposed deployment of the Brexit transitional grant, and an opportunity was provided for questions more broadly to be raised on the report’s content. These focussed on the implications of shortfalls in Council Tax collection; the help being provided to businesses in the context of a recent high profile company administration; and a specific enquiry related to the Land Sales Programme.

            RESOLVED –

(1)       That the updated positions on the revenue budget, collection fund and capital programme be noted.

(2)       That the level of design fees on the regeneration scheme at the former Sale Magistrates Court as detailed in Paragraph 35 of the report be noted.