Principles met
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Innovation
We will embrace innovation in how we work with local communities to drive positive change.
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Learning
We will capture and ‘expand’ the experience and learning from individual projects and approaches in order to encourage broader application of co-operative principles within individual member Councils and across the Network.
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New models of meeting priority needs
In exploring new ways of meeting the priority needs of our communities we will encourage models, such as co-operatives and mutuals, which give greater influence and voice to staff and users. in designing and commissioning public services and in determining the use of public resources.
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Social partnership
We will strengthen the co-operative partnership between citizens, communities, enterprises and Councils, based on a shared sense of responsibility for wellbeing and mutual benefit.
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Walking the talk
As a membership organisation, we will make this statement of our principles operational by:
• Co-operation among members: Our members work together to help each other implement our values, sharing experiences and learning.
• Openness of membership: Full, Associate and Affiliate Membership is open to any qualifying Council, organisation or individual who shares our values and is committed to putting them into action.
• Co-production of the Network’s work: Members help shape the Network’s work programme and the content of events and written products.
• Action-focused: The network is a vehicle for helping councils translate co-operative values and principles into policy and practice.
•Membership-based: The network is majority funded by modest membership subscriptions from its member Councils, Associates and Affiliates.
•Non-party-political: Members share the belief that working co-operatively within and across communities holds the key to tackling today’s challenges.
Between 2023 and 2024, Trafford Council’s Community Safety Team, in close partnership with
Greater Manchester Police led a series of targeted enforcement operations to dismantle premises being used for the sexual exploitation of women under coercive and often criminal conditions. The team used Closure Notices and Orders under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, supported by safeguarding procedures and modern slavery referrals, to act swiftly without requiring a criminal conviction or victim testimony.
Project Overview
Three key premises were closed as part of a focused strategy targeting brothels and massage parlours operating across Trafford:
The Railway Inn (Altrincham) – A licensed pub operating as a brothel, where officers discovered a woman trafficked and coerced into sex work in exchange for crack cocaine. The premises were found in filthy, degrading condition, including used condoms, drug paraphernalia, and dog faeces throughout the upper accommodation. A Closure Notice was issued on-site by the Council, and a three-month Closure Order was granted. The Council’s Licensing Sub-Committee later revoked the premises licence in full.
For further information contact:
Helen Grant
Strategic Manager, Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour
Trafford Council