Agenda item

Announcements

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.

Minutes:

(a)    Her Majesty the Queen’s New Year’s Honours

 

The Council joined the Mayor in congratulating those residents who had received recognition in the Queen's New Year Honours List, namely:

 

Mr. Denis Law of Bowdon awarded the citation of Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE) for services to football and charity;

 

Ms. Jean Oglesby of Bowdon awarded the CBE for services to Philanthropy in the North West;

 

Mr. Andrew Scallan of Sale awarded the CBE for services to electoral democracy;

 

Mr. Mark Cueto of Altrincham awarded the citation of Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to Rugby Union;

 

Mr. John Howe of Urmston awarded the MBE for services to Diabetes UK and the community in Trafford;

 

Miss Jody Louisa Green of Stretford awarded the citation of Medallist of the Order of the British Empire (BEM) for services to Community Sport in Trafford; and                                 

 

Ms. Rita Janet Jones of Stretford awarded the BEM for services to the community in Stretford.

 

On behalf of the Council, the Mayor had written to convey congratulations for their achievements.

 

(b)    Holocaust Memorial Day, 27 January 2016

 

The Mayor informed Members that Trafford Council was supporting the annual Holocaust Memorial Day, on 27 January 2016. Schools, along with representatives from faith and other community groups had been invited to participate in a two hour event at the Robert Bolt theatre in Sale with the theme being “Don’t stand by”.

 

(c)    Scrutiny Committee Update

 

Councillor Coupe, Chairman of Scrutiny Committee informed Council that Budget Scrutiny sessions had been held on 2 December and 8 December 2015 and that the Committee had prepared a review of the Executive’s draft budget proposals which would be submitted to the Executive on 25 January 2016.

 

The Chairman also advised that the ‘Closing the Gap’ Task and Finish Group; investigating education inequalities within the Borough, had now split into four smaller sub-topic groups to focus on areas agreed upon at the initial meetings in more detail. It was anticipated that the final report on the Group’s findings and recommendations would be submitted to the Executive in March 2016.

 

(d)    Health Scrutiny Committee Update

 

Councillor Lloyd, Chairman of Health Scrutiny Committee provided an update on the Committee’s focus since the last meeting of Council. 

 

The Care Quality Commission had conducted an inspection of Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (CMFT) in December 2015 and would be conducting an inspection of the University Hospital of South Manchester NHS Foundation Trust (UHSM) week commencing 25 January 2016.

 

The Chairman informed the Council that along with the Vice-Chairman, she had met with Matthew Colledge, the recently appointed Chairman of Trafford Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) Governing Body, and Silas Nichols, Chief Operating Officer and Deputy Chief Executive of Wythenshawe Hospital, to discuss how Health Scrutiny could work with their respective organisations going forward.

 

Councillor Lloyd referred to a Manchester Evening News report that Trafford General was to be downgraded, which had been picked up by other news organisations, and stated that the downgrading from an Urgent Care Centre to a Minor Injuries Unit had always been a part of the New Health Deal for Trafford and had been through a full consultation process. Disappointed to hear from the press before officially being notified, the Chairman reiterated that assurances were sought by the Joint Health Scrutiny Committee at the end of the consultation process and that alongside the Vice-Chairman of Health Scrutiny Committee, she would work with NHS England, CMFT, UHSM and Trafford CCG to ensure these assurances were met before any further changes were implemented.

 

The Leader of the Council shared Councillor Lloyd’s concerns about publication of the article and indicated that representations had been made to CMFT, though it was unsure of the source. Councillor Anstee repeated that the Council had been united in its response to the New Health Deal and would work to ensure that the conditions were met, with appropriate steps being taken to determine the Council’s next action.