This week, the Trafford Council held three significant meetings: the Standards Committee on Thursday 27 June 2024, the Accounts and Audit Committee on Wednesday 26 June 2024, and the Executive on Monday 24 June 2024. Key decisions and discussions from these meetings are outlined below.

Executive Meeting: Substance Misuse Service Reprocurement and Resident Engagement

In the Executive meeting on 24 June 2024, two major decisions were made. The first was the approval of a new substance misuse service to be delivered in partnership with Salford Council. The existing service, provided by Change Grow Live (CGL), will expire on 31 March 2025. The new service will operate on a 'hub and spoke model', with a central hub in each borough and smaller satellite sites. This model aims to provide timely and accessible interventions for those in need. The total cost for the new service over five years is £12,098,955, with Trafford's share being £5,031,396.

The service will operate a Hub and Spoke Model with a central hub in each borough delivering the full range of interventions with a cluster of spoke sites in each locality delivering a smaller range of interventions... — Trafford Council, Exec Report - Substance Misuse Reprocurement 2024 Final, p.6

The second significant decision was to increase the number of 'engagement events' with residents regarding the future of Old Trafford. This decision followed a request from the Scrutiny Committee for more clarity on how the Council ensures high-quality, sustainable development around the Manchester United ground and how resident engagement would be conducted.

Increase engagement events in relation to the future development of the area around the Manchester United ground, which will feed into masterplanning for the area as set out in Policy TP2 of the Trafford Local Plan. — Trafford Council, Man United Scrutiny Response - Exec - June 2024 Final, p.4

Accounts and Audit Committee: Approval of Key Documents

The Accounts and Audit Committee met on 26 June 2024 and approved several important documents, including the Trafford MBC 22-23 Audit Strategy Memorandum and the 2023-24 Draft Annual Governance Statement - Accounts Audit. These documents outline the Council's audit strategy and governance arrangements, which are crucial for ensuring transparency and accountability in the Council's operations.

The purpose of the Annual Governance Statement is to provide an overview of the Council's governance arrangements and how these support the achievement of the Council's objectives. It explains how we manage our affairs, execute our responsibilities and how we decide how much risk is appropriate.

The Committee also discussed the AAC - SRR Monitoring Report - June 24 and received the Annual Head of IA Rep 2324 AAC from Deloitte.

Standards Committee: Induction Training and Ombudsman Complaints

In the Standards Committee meeting on 27 June 2024, the focus was on the induction and training for Councillors and a report on Ombudsman complaints. The committee discussed the induction training for new Councillors, which includes a meeting with the Chief Executive of Trafford Council and introductions to various departments and partnerships like One Trafford and L&Q Housing Association.

A significant concern raised was the low uptake of Safeguarding Children training, with only 16% of Councillors having completed it. The committee suggested that Councillors should be required to keep their training up to date annually.

Mr. R. Brown was concerned about the level of Councillors who had completed safeguarding children training (16%).

The committee also noted a report on complaints made to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman. The report highlighted issues such as missed waste collections, which resulted in payments to residents. The committee requested that future reports include the total amount paid out and more information on 'nominal' payments.

Councillor Gilbert asked what circumstances the Council paid out for waste collections.

These meetings highlight the Council's ongoing efforts to improve services, ensure transparency, and engage with residents.