This Council is deeply concerned by the announcement on the 17 December 2015 that the Conservative Government's Oil and Gas Authority has awarded a Petroleum Exploration and Development Licence (PEDL) to the company Ineos covering an area incorporating much of the south of Trafford. This is the first stage in a process that could ultimately lead to 'fracking' taking place in Trafford.

Council condemns the decision to award this licence and reaffirms its previous statement, as agreed by all parties on the 12 November 2014, that “The Council is opposed to ‘fracking’ until such time as it can be proved to be safe.” In light of this statement of opposition to hydraulic fracturing in Trafford, Council agrees to write to the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, and to the Oil and Gas Authority directly, outlining our concerns and asking that the decision to award this licence be reconsidered.

It was moved and seconded that:

“This Council is deeply concerned by the announcement on the 17 December 2015 that the Conservative Government's Oil and Gas Authority has awarded a Petroleum Exploration and Development Licence (PEDL) to the company Ineos covering an area incorporating much of the south of Trafford. This is the first stage in a process that could ultimately lead to 'fracking' taking place in Trafford.

Council condemns the decision to award this licence and reaffirms its previous statement, as agreed by all parties on the 12 November 2014, that “The Council is opposed to ‘fracking’ until such time as it can be proved to be safe.” In light of this statement of opposition to hydraulic fracturing in Trafford, Council agrees to write to the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, and to the Oil and Gas Authority directly, outlining our concerns and asking that the decision to award this licence be reconsidered.”

It was moved and seconded as an amendment that:

“This Council notes the announcement of the 17 December 2015 that the Oil and Gas Authority has awarded a Petroleum Exploration and Development Licence (PEDL) to the company Ineos covering an area incorporating much of the south of Trafford. This is the first stage in a process that could ultimately lead to 'fracking' taking place in Trafford.

Council is concerned by the decision to award this licence and reaffirms its previous statement, as agreed by all parties on the 12 November 2014, that "The Council is opposed to ‘fracking’ until such time as it can be proved to be safe." In light of this statement of opposition to hydraulic fracturing in Trafford, Council agrees to write to the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, and to the Oil and Gas Authority directly, outlining our concerns and asking that the decision to award this licence be reconsidered.”

Following a debate on the matter, the amendment was agreed with the unanimous consent of the Council. Consequently, the substantive Motion was declared carried.

RESOLVED: That this Council notes the announcement of the 17 December 2015 that the Oil and Gas Authority has awarded a Petroleum Exploration and Development Licence (PEDL) to the company Ineos covering an area incorporating much of the south of Trafford. This is the first stage in a process that could ultimately lead to 'fracking' taking place in Trafford.

Council is concerned by the decision to award this licence and reaffirms its previous statement, as agreed by all parties on the 12 November 2014, that "The Council is opposed to ‘fracking’ until such time as it can be proved to be safe." In light of this statement of opposition to hydraulic fracturing in Trafford, Council agrees to write to the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, and to the Oil and Gas Authority directly, outlining our concerns and asking that the decision to award this licence be reconsidered.