The Lord Mayor made a statement following the vandalism of a Marcus Rashford Mural in Withington and made reference to the swift and overwhelming positive responses of support from the local community, across the country and around the world in a stand against racism in all of its forms.

The Lord Mayor informed the Council that he had written to the following award recipients,who are either Mancunians or live or work in the city to congratulate them on the honour they have received:

Queen’s Birthday Honours awarded to:              

Tony Lloyd MP                             Knights Bachelor

Lemn Sissay                                OBE

Myles Stacey                                OBE

Claudette Fraser                          MBE

Dr Lisa Graham Spencer           MBE

Raheem Stirling                           MBE

Catherine Kilday                          BEM

Wasim Chaudhry                        QPM

Queen’s award for Voluntary Service:

·         Coffee4Craig 

·         Gorton Imagination Library 

·         MACFEST- UK

·         Manchester Transport Museum Society Ltd

·         Moss Side Allotment Group

·         Myriad Foundation 

·         The Proud Trust

·         Walking With The Wounded

The Lord Mayor invited those present at the meeting to observe a minute’s silence in memory of the lives lost in the Srebrenica genocide which took place in July 1995.

The Lord Mayor informed the Council that he had agreed to the submission of the minutes of the Constitutional and Nomination Committee held on 12 July 2021.

The Lord Mayor invited the Director of Public Health to address the Council on the current level of Covid related cases within Manchester and the roll out of the vaccination programme.

The Lord Mayor then invited questions from Council members.

The Lord Mayor thanked Director of Public Health for the update.

To submit for approval the minutes of the Annual meeting held on 19 May 2021.

Decision

The Minutes of the meeting held on 19 May 2021 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

This Council notes:-

The rising cost of living and falling incomes is causing genuine problems to people with their finances. This has become much worse in the last eighteen months, due to the pandemic. More and more people are falling into debt due to zero hours contracts, and then going to the likes of payday loans etc. Those who borrow from high-cost credit companies, on average borrow £326 per month. The interest paid on this money is punishing rates of up to 5,800% APR . Many are unable to make the repayments and are pushed into a spiral of debt.

We all know that the long-term solution to the problem of pay day loans, must be to increase wages and control the cost of living, so that people are not forced into their arms. In the short term more needs to be done to give our residents more information about other ways to access credit unions and debt agencies.

Credit Unions offer a sustainable alternative to high-cost short term credit and should be supported by this council. As someone who used to sit on the board of a credit union, I have seen at first-hand how much they can help people who might be struggling with their finances. South Manchester Credit Union and Voyager Alliance Credit Union are just two in Manchester. Credit unions are open to all and are beneficial to all.

This Council resolves:-

(1)      To block access to payday loan websites through any council-controlled IT systems, including libraries and staff computers.

(2)      Where access has been blocked, to display information about pay plan (www.payplan.com) and other free local debt counselling services, and contacts for local credit unions, such as South Manchester CU.

(3)      To promote local credit unions by working with council and external organizations to, for example give cheaper bus tickets to local CU members.

(4)      To restrict the growth of payday loans companies on high streets, using an article 4 direction to take back control of planning permission for conversions of general shops and offices into payday loan shops.

Proposed by Councillor Hughes, seconded by Councillor Clay and also signed (via email) by Councillors Akbar, Azra Ali, Farrell, Kamal, Reid and Wheeler.

Motion proposed and seconded:

This Council notes:-

The rising cost of living and falling incomes is causing genuine problems to people with their finances. This has become much worse in the last eighteen months, due to the pandemic. More and more people are falling into debt due to zero hours contracts, and then going to the likes of payday loans etc. Those who borrow from high-cost credit companies, on average borrow £326 per month. The interest paid on this money is punishing rates of up to 5,800% APR. Many are unable to make the repayments and are pushed into a spiral of debt. We all know that the long-term solution to the problem of pay day loans, must be to increase wages and control the cost of living, so that people are not forced into their arms. In the short term more needs to be done to give our residents more information about other ways to access credit unions and debt agencies. Credit Unions offer a sustainable alternative to high-cost short term credit and should be supported by this council. As someone who used to sit on the board of a credit union, I have seen at first-hand how much they can help people who might be struggling with their finances. South Manchester Credit Union and Voyager Alliance Credit Union are just two in Manchester. Credit unions are open to all and are beneficial to all.

This Council resolves:-

(1) To block access to payday loan websites through any council-controlled IT systems, including libraries and staff computers.

(2) Where access has been blocked, to display information about pay plan (www.payplan.com) and other free local debt counselling services, and contacts for local credit unions, such as South Manchester CU.

(3) To promote local credit unions by working with council and external organizations to, for example give cheaper bus tickets to local CU members.

(4) To recommend to the Executive to restrict the growth of payday loans companies on high streets, using an article 4 direction to take back control of planning permission for conversions of general shops and offices into payday loan shops.

Resolution

The motion was put to Council and voted on and the Lord Mayor declared that is was carried unanimously.

Decision

This Council notes:-

The rising cost of living and falling incomes is causing genuine problems to people with their finances. This has become much worse in the last eighteen months, due to the pandemic. More and more people are falling into debt due to zero hours contracts, and then going to the likes of payday loans etc. Those who borrow from high-cost credit companies, on average borrow £326 per month. The interest paid on this money is punishing rates of up to 5,800% APR. Many are unable to make the repayments and are pushed into a spiral of debt. We all know that the long-term solution to the problem of pay day loans, must be to increase wages and control the cost of living, so that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 47.

To submit the minutes of the Executive on 2 June 2021 and 30 June 2021 and in particular to consider:

Exe/21/57        Capital Programme Update

(1)      Recommends that the Council approve the following changes to Manchester City Council’s capital programme:

·                Resident and Business Digital Experience (RBDxP). A capital budget decrease of £5.228m funded from borrowing along with a corresponding revenue budget increase of £5.228m funded from Capital Fund.

·                Riverdale Maisonettes. A capital budget increase of £2.856m, funded by an RCCO from the HRA.

Exe/21/64      Capital Programme Outturn 2020/21

Recommend that the Council approve the virements over £0.5m between capital schemes to maximise use of funding resources available to the City Council (as set out in the appendix to the 30 June 2021 minutes).

Exe/21/65      Capital Programme Update

To recommend that the Council approve the following changes to Manchester City Council’s capital programme:

·                Highways Services – Patching Defect Repairs Programme 2021/22. A capital budget increase of £4.244 is requested, funded by £0.500m RCCO and £3.744m Grant. A capital budget virement of £1m is also requested, from the Highways Project Delivery Fund budget.

·                Neighbourhoods – Library Refurbishment. A capital budget increase of £0.500m is requested, funded by Borrowing.

·                Neighbourhoods - New Islington Marina Bridge Works. A capital budget increase of £0.156m is requested, funded by Borrowing.

·                Public Sector Housing - Newton Heath High Rise Blocks Improvements. A capital budget increase of £14.113m is requested, funded by an RCCO from the Housing Revenue Account.

The proceedings of the Executive on 3 June 2021 and 30 June 2021 were submitted. The Council was asked to give particular consideration to the following recommendations:

Exe/21/57 Capital Programme Update

To recommend that the Council approve the following changes to Manchester City Council’s capital programme:

· Resident and Business Digital Experience (RBDxP). A capital budget decrease of £5.228m funded from borrowing along with a corresponding revenue budget increase of £5.228m funded from Capital Fund.

· Riverdale Maisonettes. A capital budget increase of £2.856m, funded by an RCCO from the HRA.

Exe/21/64 Capital Programme Outturn 2020/21

To recommend that the Council approve the virements over £0.5m between capital schemes to maximise use of funding resources 13 - 32Council available to the City Council (as set out in the appendix to the 30 June 2021 minutes).

Exe/21/65 Capital Programme Update

To recommend that the Council approve the following changes to Manchester City Council’s capital programme:

· Highways Services – Patching Defect Repairs Programme 2021/22. A capital budget increase of £4.244 is requested, funded by £0.500m RCCO and £3.744m Grant. A capital budget virement of £1m is also requested, from the Highways Project Delivery Fund budget.

· Neighbourhoods – Library Refurbishment. A capital budget increase of £0.500m is requested, funded by Borrowing.

· Neighbourhoods - New Islington Marina Bridge Works. A capital budget increase of £0.156m is requested, funded by Borrowing.

· Public Sector Housing - Newton Heath High Rise Blocks Improvements. A capital budget increase of £14.113m is requested, funded by an RCCO from the Housing Revenue Account.

Decisions

1.    To receive the minutes of the Executive held on 3 June 2021 and 30 June 2021.

2.    To approve the following changes to the Council’s capital programme:

· Resident and Business Digital Experience (RBDxP). A capital budget decrease of £5.228m funded from borrowing along with a corresponding revenue budget increase of £5.228m funded from Capital Fund.

· Riverdale Maisonettes. A capital budget increase of £2.856m, funded by an RCCO from the HRA.

· Highways Services – Patching Defect Repairs Programme 2021/22. A capital budget increase of £4.244 is requested, funded by £0.500m RCCO and £3.744m Grant. A capital budget virement of £1m is also requested, from the Highways Project Delivery Fund budget.

· Neighbourhoods – Library Refurbishment. A capital budget increase of £0.500m is requested, funded by Borrowing.

· Neighbourhoods - New Islington Marina Bridge Works. A capital budget increase of £0.156m is requested, funded by Borrowing.

· Public Sector Housing - Newton Heath High Rise Blocks Improvements. A capital budget increase of £14.113m is requested, funded by an RCCO from the Housing Revenue Account.

3.    To approve the virements over £0.5m between capital schemes to maximise use of funding resources available to the City Council (as set out in the appendix to the 30 June 2021 minutes).

To receive answers to any questions that councillors have raised in accordance with Procedural Rule 23.

Councillor Rawlins responded to a question from Councillor Wright regarding green screening of the Bentley House estate and St Phillips school in Hulme.

Councillor White responded to a question from Councillor Igbon regarding arrangements in place with partners for job opportunities, training, apprenticeship for Manchester residents, especially under 25's & over 50s.

Councillor Rawlins responded to a question from Councillor Nunney regarding net zero emissions.

Councillor Leese responded to a question from Councillor Nunney regarding the inclusion of climate change in scrutiny work programmes.

Councillor Rahman responded to a question from Councillor Hutchinson regarding measures to recruit retain and support a more diverse workforce in Manchester.

Councillor White responded to a question from Councillor Shaukat Ali regarding the Council’s support for removal and remediation of dangerous cladding, and other identified fire safety concerns within the Green Quarter.

Councillor Akbar responded to a question from Councillor Leech regarding a covenant on Houghend Fields.

Councillor Rawlins responded to a question from Councillor Leech regarding pothole repairs.

Councillor Rawlins responded to a question from Councillor Leech regarding enquiries about tree protection.

Councillor White responded to a question from Councillor Leech regarding affordable housing in West Didsbury.

Councillor Midgley responded to a question from Councillor Leech regarding the lead commissioner for dental services.

Councillor Rahman responded to a question from Councillor Leech regarding the Peterloo Memorial.

To note the minutes of the following committees:

Communities & Equalities               25 May 2021 and 21 June 2021

Resources & Governance               25 May 2021 and 21 June 2021

Health                                                  26 May 2021 and 22 June 2021

Children and Young People            26 May 2021 and 22 June 2021

Environment & Climate Change     27 May 2021 and 23 June 2021

Economy                                             27 May 2021 and 23 June 2021

The minutes of the following Scrutiny Committee meetings were submitted:

Resources and Governance – 25 May and 22 June 2021

Health – 26 May and 23 June 2021

Children and Young People – 26 May and 23 June 2021

Environment and Climate Change – 27 May and 24 June 2021

Economy – 27 May and 24 June 2021

Communities and Equalities – 25 May and 22 June 2021

Decision

To note the minutes submitted.

To submit for approval the minutes of the following meetings and consider recommendations made by the committee:

Audit                                                                  15 June 2021

Constitutional & Nomination Committee     13 July 2021

Health & Wellbeing Board                             9 June 2021 and 7 July 2021

Licensing & Appeals                                       7 June 2021

Planning & Highways                                     3 June 2021 and 1 July 2021

Standards                                                         17 June 2021

The minutes of the following meetings were submitted:

Audit Committee – 15 June 2021

Constitutional and Nomination Committee – 13 July 2021

The Council was asked to give particular consideration to the following recommendations from the minutes:

CN/20/15       Membership of Council committees and representation on joint boards and joint committees

To recommend the Council to make the following changes in appointments to Committees of the Council.

To recommend the Council make appointments in accordance with the revised membership of the Health and Wellbeing Board, as follows:

·         Leader of the Council (Chair) – Councillor Leese

·         Executive Member Health and Care (Deputy Chair) – Councillor Midgley

·         Deputy Leader of the Council – Councillor Craig

·         Executive Member for Children’s Services - Councillor Bridges

·         Chair, Manchester Health and Care Commissioning (MHCC) – Dr Ruth Bromley

·         Chair, Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) – Kathy Cowell

·         Chair, Greater Manchester Mental Health Foundation Trust (GMMHT) – Rupert Nichols

·         Chair, Healthwatch – Vicky Szulist

·         VCS nominated representative – Mike Wild

·         Director of Public Health – David Regan

·         Director of Adult Social Services – Bernadette Enright

·         Director of Children’s Services – Paul Marshall

·         The Local Care Organisation – Katy Calvin Thomas 

·         Primary Care representative – Local Primary Care Committee - Dr Tracey Vell

·         The Manchester GP Forum

o   Dr Murugesan Raja*

o   Dr Geeta Wadhwa*

o   Dr Doug Jeffrey*

(*Dr Denis Colligan and Dr Shabbir Ahmad to act as deputy, as required)

To recommend Council to appoint Councillor Butt as an Assistant Executive Member.

CN/21/16          Appointments to Joint Authorities and Joint Committees

To recommend the Council to make the following changes in appointments to the membership of GM bodies and committees and other external bodies.

CN/21/17       Co-opted Membership of Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee

To recommend the Council to make changes to the co-opted membership of the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee as follows:

1.    To remove the following individuals as co-opted members as they are no longer representatives of the associated bodies:

 • Parent Governor Representative – Ms Zaneta Stepan

 • Parent Governor Representative – Mr Ade Arogundade

 • Primary Sector Teacher Representative – Mr Russell Lammas

2. To re-appoint Ms Zainab Derraz as a Parent Governor Representative and to note that the term of office of Ms Derraz is for two years which commenced 29 November 2019 and expires on 28 November 2021.

3.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 51.

The report of the City Solicitor and Monitoring Officer is enclosed.

The Council considered the report of the City Solicitor on extending the terms of office of the two independent co-opted members of the Standards Committee and the Council’s two Independent Persons.

Decision

To approve the extending of the terms of office of Nicol? Jackson & Geoff Linnell (the two independent co-opted members of the Standards Committee) and Alan Eastwood & Sarah Beswick (the Council’s two Independent Persons) for one year commencing on 18 November 2021.

The report of the City Solicitor is enclosed.

The Council considered the report of the City Solicitor on key decisions that have been taken in accordance with the urgency provisions in the Council’s Constitution.

Decision

To note the report.