To receive any announcements from the Mayor, Leader of the Council, Members of the Executive, Chairmen of Scrutiny Committees and the Head of Paid Service.

(a)    Her Majesty the Queen – Longest Reigning British Monarch

The Council joined with the Mayor in congratulating Her Majesty the Queen on becoming the country’s longest-reigning monarch after surpassing the reign of Queen Victoria on 9 September 2015.

(b)    Kier Hardie

The Mayor acknowledged that Saturday 26 September 2015 would mark the centenary of the death of James Keir Hardie, a historically influential figure who had changed the political landscape of Britain.

(c)    Former Councillor Mrs. Rita Barber

It was with sadness that the Mayor referred to the death on 29 July 2015 of Rita Post, known to the Council as Councillor Mrs. Rita Barber when serving as a Conservative Member for the Brookland’s Ward from 1984 to 1998.

The Council stood in silence as a mark of respect to a former colleague and friend.

(d)    Lancashire County Cricket Club – NatWest T20 Blast

The Mayor was pleased to congratulate the Lancashire Lightning cricket team on being crowned NatWest T20 Blast champions for the first time in their history after beating Northamptonshire Steelbacks by 13 runs in the final at Edgbaston. The Council joined in congratulating the club on its first one-day title since 1999.

(e)    Scrutiny Committee Update

Councillor Coupe, Chairman of Scrutiny Committee provided the Council with an update on the work of the Committee advising on matters to be considered at the next meeting on 1 October 2015; a meetings date switch so that Scrutiny Committee was now on 16 March 2016 and Health Scrutiny on 30 March 2016; work to appoint to the vacant Parent Governor Representative positions; laying the foundations for Joint Scrutiny with other authorities for the benefit of Trafford; and the reactivation of the social media Twitter account to promote the profile of Scrutiny amongst the public.

(f)     Health Scrutiny Committee Update

Councillor Lloyd, Chairman of Health Scrutiny Committee outlined the areas of work that the Committee had been focusing on specifically reconfiguration of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS); the urgent Health Scrutiny Committee Meeting on 12 August 2015; the closure one of the four Group Practices based at Timperley Health Centre to work closely with Trafford Clinical Commissioning Group and Ward Councillors regarding caretaking arrangements and the redistribution of patients; and the allocation of Task and Finish Groups for 2 areas of concern - Delayed Discharges and Stroke Rehabilitation.

Regarding the urgent Health Scrutiny Committee Meeting on 12 August 2015 with all parties concerning the decision to designate Stepping Hill Hospital as a lead of one of the four single shared services, Councillor Lloyd reported that the Committee received assurances regarding the continued professional and financial stability of Wythenshawe Hospital and the level of treatment provided to Trafford residents. Since the meeting the Committee had written to the Greater Manchester Health Scrutiny Committee detailing the assurances with a request that the impact Healthier Together has on the health services delivered to Trafford residents be monitored. The Chairman also indicated that the Joint Health Scrutiny Committee with Manchester City Council would continue to meet.