Social Value Ideas for Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council

Advertising screens limits

In response to a public question, officers explained that advertisement consent decisions for electronic screens are restricted by law to amenity and public safety only. The council cannot impose wide…

“The regulations don't allow for decisions to be based on wider community benefits or even commercial operations of advertising displays. So as a resul…”

Planning delegation reform

Trafford must amend its constitution and planning code to comply with the national scheme of delegation by 31 October 2026. The council is layering the new national rules onto its existing delegation …

“both of these relate to the national scheme of delegation for planning applications, which the council's required to incorporate into its own constitu…”

Planning constitution updated

The committee approved constitutional and code of practice changes to align Trafford with the new national scheme of delegation, which must be incorporated by 31 October 2026 for lawful planning decis…

“Um there are two reports before members this evening. Um and I'm going to this introduction will cover them both. um they both relate to the national …”

Rybank delegation refused

The committee voted not to delegate Trafford’s planning function for the Rybank Fields access-road application to Manchester City Council. Members wanted Trafford to retain control over land within it…

“Um so uh with that in mind is Mr. is Mr. Bond here please. Mr. bond. No. Is okay. Let's see if miss is Miss Thomasson here, please. Sorry. So, who's s…”

Ross Mill dwelling refused

The committee refused a proposed single dwelling at Butscliff Farm / Ross Mill Lane because members agreed with officers that the design, massing and scale were not appropriate to the more rural conte…

“Our concern is is about the design, the massing, the scale of the proposal and its relationship to that more rural setting. Um we have um discussed th…”

Year-end underspend reduced borrowing

The council reported a £2.6 million underspend for 2025/26, which reduced the amount of borrowing needed from an estimated £9.6 million to £7 million. The report also recorded 96% delivery of the savi…

“This report sets out the year-end financial position across the council's finances and includes an update on the revenue budget outturn, the impact on…”

Demand-led overspend in 2026/27

The period 2 monitoring report projected a £2 million overspend early in 2026/27, mainly in children’s and adults’ budgets, with plans to use contingency balances and monitor savings delivery closely.…

“It sets out a cautious projection at this early stage and whilst projected overspend is reported at 2 million pounds. This is not dissimilar to the po…”

Recurring budget gap and 2027/28 risk

Officers reported that Trafford is entering its 16th year of budget challenge, with a current budget gap of around £25 million and a particularly critical position in 2027/28. The council is updating …

“So that's where we've been having to find each year ways of balancing what are significant significant budget gaps. Um over that period we've we've ad…”

Adopt new planning delegation scheme

The council must incorporate the national scheme of delegation into its constitution by 31 October 2026 to continue making lawful planning decisions. The reports amend Trafford’s own scheme and code o…

“There are two reports before members this evening. Um both relate to the national scheme of delegation for planning applications which the council is …”

Sale B&M housing redevelopment

Committee approved outline permission for demolition of the existing B&M retail building in Sale and replacement with up to 68 apartments. The decision is tied to a section 106 agreement securing affo…

“This application relates to the existing B&M retail site within T sale town center with the proposal seeking demolition of the existing building and o…”

Local plan sent to consultation

Trafford approved the publication version of its Local Plan 2026 for statutory six-week consultation before submission to the Secretary of State and public examination. The plan is a core policy docum…

“This is the latest report in a series of stages leading us towards the final formal submission of the plan for public examination to the secretary of …”