The Lord Mayor advised Council that the two notice of motion (Items 4 and 8) on the Council Summons, had been withdrawn by the proposers following the submission of two formal notices to the Chief Executive.

The Lord Mayor announced that a Special Meeting of the Council will be called to consider the conferring the status of Honorary Freeman of the City to Mr Pep Guardiola. The date of the Special Meeting of Council will be advised in due course.

The Lord Mayor informed the Council that she had agreed to the submission of the minutes of the Constitutional and Nomination Committee held on 12 July 2023.

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:-

Officer of the Order of the British Empire

Chris Oglesby - Chief Executive Officer at Bruntwood, for services to Charity and to Regeneration in the North West of England.

Member of the Order of the British Empire

Professor Cathy Parker  - Chair of the Institute of Place Management at Manchester Metropolitan University, for services to Education and to Place Management.

Professor Robert Charles Pearson - Former Chair, Clinical Ethics Committee, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, for services to Medicine, Medical Education and to Health Research and Innovation.

Andrew Portersmith - Chief Executive of Music Stuff, for services to Young People and to the community in Manchester.

Alison Ross - Operations and Culture Director at Auto Trader, for services to the Digital and Technology Industry.

British Empire Medal

Anthony McAllister - Football Coach, for services to Association Football and to Young People in Manchester.

King’s Police Medal

Emily-Jane Higham - Chief Superintendent for Greater Manchester Police, for Distinguished Service. 

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 Council of the sad passing of former councillor Abu Chowdhury. Mr Chowdhury was elected to the Council (Rusholme Ward) in 2004 and served in this role until 2011. Mr Chowdhury was also awarded the MBE in 2001.

The Council observed a minute silence in respect of Mr Chowdhury.

The Lord Mayor welcomed representatives of the charity, City of Sanctuary to address the Council about its work. Councillor Midgley addressed the Council and introduced Liz Hibberd (Manager of City of Sanctuary Charity), Tandrima Muzundar (trustee of the charity) and Andrew Muzondiwa (charity service user), Manitia Raqmani (charity service user) and Maria (charity service user) to talk about their personal experiences and the positive impact the City of Sanctuary Charity has made on their lives. The City of Sanctuary Charity is a charity based within Manchester. The work of the charity is to create a culture of welcome and hospitality for those seeking sanctuary in the city and in doing so to help establish connections, partnerships and create community to promote health and wellbeing. Volunteering at local organisations for those involved has proven to be a successful way of helping sanctuary seekers to connect and become more involved. 

The Leader of Council thanked the speakers for their attendance and sharing their experiences and acknowledged the important work of the City of Sanctuary charity in conjunction with the City Council to provide those seeking sanctuary a safe place to help to rebuild their lives.

A motion without notice to under Procedure Rule 19.1(K) for the suspension of Procedure Rule 14.1, was proposed by Councillor Bayunu and seconded by Councillor Good. 

The Lord Mayor put the proposal to the vote. On being put to the vote the Lord Mayor declared that the proposal was lost.

To submit for approval the minutes of the meeting held on 17 May 2023

The Minutes of the meeting held on 17 May 2023 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Lord Mayor.

The recent global Pandemic served as a stark reminder of the growing inequalities in our society under this Conservative Government.  A recent report by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation found that the average person needs to spend £35 a week more than the Universal Credit allowance to stay alive.  For disabled people these costs are higher. 

This Council recognises that disabled people have been impacted disproportionately by The Pandemic and by the on-going Cost of Living Crisis. 

This Council notes that the Government has given little recognition to the added pressure placed upon budgets for disabled people.

This Council further notes the work of Greater Manchester Combined Authority to lessen the burden of public transport costs by introducing capped fares of a minimum of £2 across the region and supporting concessionary travel passes across the network.  

This Council resolves:-

To call upon GM Mayor Andy Burnham to reiterate that fares are capped at a maximum of £2 and not a flat fee of £2 and extend concessionary travel to include carers to ensure a public transport network that is inclusive and accessible to all.

Proposed by Councillor Rawlins, seconded by Councillor Taylor and supported by Councillors Andrews, Cooley, Craig, Evans and Flanagan

Councillor Rawlins submitted the following motion, which was seconded by Councillor Taylor:-

The recent global Pandemic served as a stark reminder of the growing inequalities in our society under this Conservative Government.  A recent report by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation found that the average person needs to spend £35 a week more than the Universal Credit allowance to stay alive.  For disabled people these costs are higher. 

This Council recognises that disabled people have been impacted disproportionately by The Pandemic and by the on-going Cost of Living Crisis. 

This Council notes that the Government has given little recognition to the added pressure placed upon budgets for disabled people.

This Council further notes the work of Greater Manchester Combined Authority to lessen the burden of public transport costs by introducing capped fares of a maximum of £2 across the region and supporting concessionary travel passes across the network.  

This Council resolves:-

To call upon GM Mayor Andy Burnham to reiterate that fares are capped at a maximum of £2 and not a flat fee of £2 and extend concessionary travel to include carers to ensure a public transport network that is inclusive and accessible to all.

On the motion being put to the vote, the Lord Mayor declared it unanimously carried.

Resolution

This Council resolves to call upon GM Mayor Andy Burnham to reiterate that fares are capped at a maximum of £2 and not a flat fee of £2 and extend concessionary travel to include carers to ensure a public transport network that is inclusive and accessible to all.

This Council notes that:

Manchester is a proudly diverse city that speaks over 200 languages and has over many generations, drawn people from across the world to call Manchester home. For hundreds of years Manchester has been a city of sanctuary for those fleeing persecution and building for a better life. We recognise the valuable contribution that all these communities have made to our economic, social and cultural life over many years

We have a proud record in this city of fighting for a compassionate and fair Asylum system and Manchester has played a full and active part in supporting government schemes to host and support people seeking asylum and refugees including the Afghan Resettlement Programme, Homes For Ukraine and Asylum Contingency Hotels and dispersed accommodation.

Manchester Libraries gained Libraries of Sanctuary status in June 2021 in recognition of the warm welcome and volunteering opportunities they offer to asylum seekers and refugees and the commitment to celebrating diversity and spreading understanding of their lives.

We have a range of voluntary, community and faith groups who work tirelessly to support the needs of asylum seekers and refugees in our city and build community cohesion and we value and support their endeavours.

The government has created an ever-increasing hostile environment for refugees and people seeking asylum. The ‘Illegal Migration Bill’ epitomizes this and will make migrants criminals for simply landing on our shores.

People seeking asylum are not allowed to work. This is a waste of talent and skills and leads to loneliness and isolation. They are prevented from supporting themselves and their families and making an economic contribution. Recent research suggests that lifting this ban could save the UK billions of pounds per year and add to tax revenue.

The impact of the asylum system on unaccompanied children and young people devastates lives. Long waits to get access to legal representation and an asylum decision affects their mental health, education and sense of hope for the future.

In June 2023 Councillor Bev Craig, alongside Andy Burnham and the other 9 GM Council Leaders wrote to the Home Secretary Suella Braverman MP to express concerns about asylum and immigration and set out a series of calls for change in national policy.

Thirteen years of unfair Conservative and Coalition government cuts and austerity have had a huge impact on all our communities and our ability as a council to provide fully funded services for all who need them.

This Council resolves to:

(1)       Continue to provide welcome and support to refugees and migrant communities who have fled violence and persecution to seek safety in Manchester.

(2)       Join the network of towns and cities which promote the inclusion and welfare of people who are fleeing violence and persecution to become a recognised ‘Local Authority of Sanctuary’

(3)       As leaders of the city, we will challenge anti migrant rhetoric and attitudes and continue to promote the wonderful diversity of our city and communities. We will also work to strengthen links between refugees, those seeking asylum  ...  view the full agenda text for item 56.

Councillor Midgley submitted the following motion, which was seconded by Councillor Sharif Mahamed:-

This Council notes that:-

Manchester is a proudly diverse city that speaks over 200 languages and has over many generations, drawn people from across the world to call Manchester home. For hundreds of years Manchester has been a city of sanctuary for those fleeing persecution and building for a better life. We recognise the valuable contribution that all these communities have made to our economic, social and cultural life over many years

We have a proud record in this city of fighting for a compassionate and fair Asylum system and Manchester has played a full and active part in supporting government schemes to host and support people seeking asylum and refugees including the Afghan Resettlement Programme, Homes For Ukraine and Asylum Contingency Hotels and dispersed accommodation.

Manchester Libraries gained Libraries of Sanctuary status in June 2021 in recognition of the warm welcome and volunteering opportunities they offer to asylum seekers and refugees and the commitment to celebrating diversity and spreading understanding of their lives.

We have a range of voluntary, community and faith groups who work tirelessly to support the needs of asylum seekers and refugees in our city and build community cohesion and we value and support their endeavours.

The government has created an ever-increasing hostile environment for refugees and people seeking asylum. The ‘Illegal Migration Bill’ epitomizes this and will make migrants criminals for simply landing on our shores.

People seeking asylum are not allowed to work. This is a waste of talent and skills and leads to loneliness and isolation. They are prevented from supporting themselves and their families and making an economic contribution. Recent research suggests that lifting this ban could save the UK billions of pounds per year and add to tax revenue.

The impact of the asylum system on unaccompanied children and young people devastates lives. Long waits to get access to legal representation and an asylum decision affects their mental health, education and sense of hope for the future.

In June 2023 Cllr Bev Craig, alongside Andy Burnham and the other 9 GM Council Leaders wrote to The Home Secretary Suella Braverman to express concerns about asylum and immigration and set out a series of calls for change in national policy.

Thirteen years of unfair Conservative and Coalition government cuts and austerity have had a huge impact on all our communities and our ability as a council to provide fully funded services for all who need them.

This Council resolves to:

(1)          Continue to provide welcome and support to refugees and migrant communities who have fled violence and persecution to seek safety in Manchester.

(2)          Join the network of towns and cities which promote the inclusion and welfare of people who are fleeing violence and persecution to become a recognised ‘Local Authority of Sanctuary’

(3)          As leaders of the city, we will challenge anti migrant rhetoric and attitudes and continue to promote the wonderful diversity of our city and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 56.

This motion is put forward in the context of the so-called ‘Trailblazer’ Deeper Devolution Deal between the UK Government and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA).

Now that we have such an extended deal, which explicitly addresses issues of governance and accountability alongside ‘new levers, functions and responsibilities’ (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) Policy Paper March), it is the right time to address the democracy implications of devolution for Manchester within the Greater Manchester structures.

Objectives

To replace the Greater Manchester Combined Authority with a new devolved Greater Manchester Authority, which will include a directly-elected assembly. The role and function of the new authority and assembly will be comparable to that of Greater London Authority (GLA) and London Assembly (LA), and will have similar power to scrutinise and challenge decisions made by the mayor. Funding for this more substantial authority and these expanded powers will be made available by central government. Election of the assembly will be by a mixed-member proportional system, similar to that used in London, the exact details of which will be established by a government commission.

Council notes that:

·                The population of Greater Manchester is substantial: half that of Norway, over half that of Ireland, and is almost as large as that of Wales.

·                Although directly elected, the metropolitan mayor is answerable to ten local authority leaders who are not directly elected but appointed as group leader by their own party processes. This creates a clear deficit of democracy. This is not only because of direct election through a First Past the Post (FPTP) system in the local authority but also because of possible post-electoral arrangements affecting the leadership of a given local authority. The ten party-elected leaders cannot be expected to fully represent the range of views of almost three million people. An Assembly such as GLA’s will allow for a fuller say for voters.

·                The Mayor of Greater Manchester has himself publicly called both for more devolution of powers from Westminster England-wide, and for electoral reform away from FPTP representation.

·                The Deeper Devolution Deal brings GMCA closer into alignment with the GLA in questions of powers, responsibilities and priorities – if not in terms of per capita funding – but makes no suggestion for concomitant structural change in relation to representation.

·                The GMCA is now in receipt of a single funding settlement.

·                GDP per capita across Greater Manchester is approximately half that of Greater London.

Council resolves:

(1)       To request that the council leader will write to the Permanent Secretary for the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, calling for:

·                A government commission to establish the exact makeup of a new Greater Manchester Authority and Greater Manchester Assembly, under instruction to use the London Assembly and its mixed-member electoral system as a guiding model. This would include powers given to the Assembly similar to those of the London Assembly, to scrutinise and challenge the mayor’s decisions, and (with a supermajority vote) to amend the mayor’s budget or to reject strategic  ...  view the full agenda text for item 57.

Councillor Johnson submitted the following motion, which was seconded by Councillor Wiest:-

This motion is put forward in the context of the so-called ‘Trailblazer’ Deeper Devolution Deal between the UK Government and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA).

Now that we have such an extended deal, which explicitly addresses issues of governance and accountability alongside ‘new levers, functions and responsibilities’ (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) Policy Paper March), it is the right time to address the democracy implications of devolution for Manchester within the Greater Manchester structures.

Objectives

To replace the Greater Manchester Combined Authority with a new devolved Greater Manchester Authority, which will include a directly-elected assembly. The role and function of the new authority and assembly will be comparable to that of Greater London Authority (GLA) and London Assembly (LA), and will have similar power to scrutinise and challenge decisions made by the mayor. Funding for this more substantial authority and these expanded powers will be made available by central government. Election of the assembly will be by a mixed-member proportional system, similar to that used in London, the exact details of which will be established by a government commission.

Council notes that:

·         The population of Greater Manchester is substantial: half that of Norway, over half that of Ireland, and is almost as large as that of Wales.

·         Although directly elected, the metropolitan mayor is answerable to ten local authority leaders who are not directly elected but appointed as group leader by their own party processes. This creates a clear deficit of democracy. This is not only because of direct election through a First Past the Post (FPTP) system in the local authority but also because of possible post-electoral arrangements affecting the leadership of a given local authority. The ten party-elected leaders cannot be expected to fully represent the range of views of almost three million people. An Assembly such as GLA’s will allow for a fuller say for voters.

·         The Mayor of Greater Manchester has himself publicly called both for more devolution of powers from Westminster England-wide, and for electoral reform away from FPTP representation.

·         The Deeper Devolution Deal brings GMCA closer into alignment with the GLA in questions of powers, responsibilities and priorities – if not in terms of per capita funding – but makes no suggestion for concomitant structural change in relation to representation.

·         The GMCA is now in receipt of a single funding settlement.

·         GDP per capita across Greater Manchester is approximately half that of Greater London.

Council resolves:

(1)          To request that the council leader will write to the Permanent Secretary for the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, calling for:

·         A government commission to establish the exact makeup of a new Greater Manchester Authority and Greater Manchester Assembly, under instruction to use the London Assembly and its mixed-member electoral system as a guiding model. This would include powers given to the Assembly similar to those of the London Assembly, to scrutinise and challenge the mayor’s decisions, and (with  ...  view the full minutes text for item 57.

This Council recognises:

·                The importance of publicly owned parks which allow kids to play, dogs to run around, and for all residents to be able to enjoy, and recognising the vital importance of public parks in the city centre for our mental and physical health.

·                That the City Centre population is expected to shortly hit 100,000 people up from 17,000 in 2011.

·                That the pollution across the City Centre is regularly above WHO safe limits. Central parks also help reduce the impacts of urban heat islands by offering shade. Unfortunately the Council has approved decisions that rip up well-used green spaces such as New Islington Green. Although the development of Mayfield Park is welcomed, this isn’t sufficient and isn’t a publicly owned park.

In just 6 weeks in January and February 2023 nearly 600 local residents responded to the ‘Former Central Retail Park Consultation 2023’ in good faith with the legitimate expectation of being listened to.

A Council that is serious about tackling the Climate Emergency, that proudly follows the Our Manchester approach to engaging with the public, and who is led by a local Labour Party promising to put “people at the heart of everything we do” should support building a public park on the largest derelict publicly owned plot of land in the city centre, putting public resources to the best public use.

Although a precise breakdown of respondents has – unusually – not been provided, it is clear from the SRF Update report published on the 21st March 2023 that the overwhelming majority of respondents wanted to either a) include a proper park on this publicly owned land or b) at least significantly increase the size of the green space in the SRF.

The SRF Update report was published late and on Tuesday 21st March just ahead of the Executive Meeting. Until this was published there was no indication that the Council would fail to listen to the consultation feedback about incorporating a proper park as part of the updated plans.

On Wednesday 22^nd March the Council’s Executive agreed to minor amendment of other parts of the SRF - but refused to actually respond to or address concerns of the overwhelming majority of respondents on the need to incorporate a proper park in the plans. Until this decision there was no indication that the Executive would ignore and fail to act on the very clear consultation feedback.

Accordingly the Council Resolves to:

(1)       Act on the clear feedback provided by nearly 600 residents to the Former Central Retail Park SRF and include provision to build the first publicly owned park in the city centre in over a hundred years within the Updated SRF and note that the park should indicatively consist of a contiguous 20% of the available site excluding hard landscaping proposals.

(2)       Request the Leader and relevant Officers to include proposals for the new park in any conversations with interested developers including the Government Development Agency who have reportedly expressed interest in the site.  ...  view the full agenda text for item 58.

Councillor Good submitted the following motion, which was seconded by Councillor Northwood:-

·         The importance of publicly owned parks which allow kids to play, dogs to run around, and for all residents to be able to enjoy, and recognising the vital importance of public parks in the city centre for our mental and physical health.

·         That the City Centre population is expected to shortly hit 100,000 people up from 17,000 in 2011.

·         That the pollution across the City Centre is regularly above WHO safe limits. Central parks also help reduce the impacts of urban heat islands by offering shade. Unfortunately the Council has approved decisions that rip up well-used green spaces such as New Islington Green. Although the development of Mayfield Park is welcomed, this isn’t sufficient and isn’t a publicly owned park.

In just six weeks in January and February 2023 nearly 600 local residents responded to the ‘Former Central Retail Park Consultation 2023’ in good faith with the legitimate expectation of being listened to.

A Council that is serious about tackling the Climate Emergency, that proudly follows the Our Manchester approach to engaging with the public, and who is led by a local Labour Party promising to put “people at the heart of everything we do” should support building a public park on the largest derelict publicly owned plot of land in the city centre, putting public resources to the best public use.

Although a precise breakdown of respondents has – unusually – not been provided, it is clear from the SRF Update report published on the 21st March 2023 that the overwhelming majority of respondents wanted to either a) include a proper park on this publicly owned land or b) at least significantly increase the size of the green space in the SRF.

The SRF Update report was published late and on Tuesday 21st March just ahead of the Executive Meeting. Until this was published there was no indication that the Council would fail to listen to the consultation feedback about incorporating a proper park as part of the updated plans.

On Wednesday 22nd March the Council Executive agreed to minor amendment of other parts of the SRF - but refused to actually respond to or address concerns of the overwhelming majority of respondents on the need to incorporate a proper park in the plans. Until this decision there was no indication that the Executive would ignore and fail to act on the very clear consultation feedback.

Accordingly the Council Resolves to:

(1)          Act on the clear feedback provided by nearly 600 residents to the Former Central Retail Park SRF and request that the Executive consider including provision to build the first publicly owned park in the city centre in over a hundred years within the Updated SRF and note that the park should indicatively consist of a contiguous 20% of the available site excluding hard landscaping proposals.

(2)          Request the Leader and relevant Officers to include proposals for the new park in any conversations with interested developers  ...  view the full minutes text for item 58.

Under this Conservative Government tax avoidance has increased, meaning less tax raised to help our vital public services rebuild out of the pandemic and the subsequent global energy crisis. Shadow Chancellor, Rachel Reeves MP,  estimates that this gifts the biggest multinationals £131m per week that could be spent on the NHS. The demand on organisations to pay the right amount of tax in the right place at the right time has never been greater. Last year, data from the Institute for Business Ethics saw 'corporate tax avoidance' topping the UK public's list of concerns around business conduct for a tenth successive year. Pursuing better tax conduct benefits everyone by strengthening public services. It is a common-sense agenda since tax receipts help fund vital public services like education, health and social care and policing, making our society fairer, safer and more resilient. We can't build back better, let alone face the challenges of the future, without a properly funded public sector.

Manchester’s Labour Council has led the way through its progressive Ethical Procurement Policy for many years, becoming national best practice for how to do business to maximise social value. The Council became an accredited Living Wage Employer in 2019. It already endorses several causes/initiatives within the Ethical Procurement Policy including the Care Leavers Covenant, the Armed Forces Covenant and the Fair Payments through the supply chain.

The Council has also signed up to various employment charters including the Unison Living Wage for Social Care, the Unite the Union Construction Charter, and the Co-op's calls to end modern slavery.  We have been in discussions with the Fair Tax Foundation and this motion confirms our support of the Councils for Fair Tax Declaration.

The Council resolves to: 

(1)       lead by example and demonstrating good practice in our tax conduct, right across our activities;

(2)       ensure contractors implement IR35 robustly and pay a fair share of employment taxes;

(3)       avoid offshore vehicles for the purchase of land and property, especially where this leads to reduced payments of stamp duty;

(4)       undertake due diligence to ensure that not-for-profit structures are not being used inappropriately as an artificial device to reduce the payment of tax and business rates;

(5)       demand clarity on the ultimate beneficial ownership of suppliers and their consolidated profit and loss position;

(6)       promote the Fair Tax Mark certification for any business in which we have a significant stake and where corporation tax is due;

(7)       ask the Leader of the Council to work with the LGA to lobby government to amend the legislation to allow council's the ability to either penalise poor tax conduct or reward good tax conduct;

(8)       call on the government to close the loopholes on tax avoidance.

By adopting these, Manchester plans to continue to lead by example

Proposed by Councillor Wills, seconded by Councillor Hilal and supported by Councillors Butt, Noor and Ogunbambo

Councillor Wills submitted the following motion, which was seconded by Councillor Oganbambo:-

Under this Conservative Government tax avoidance has increased, meaning less tax raised to help our vital public services rebuild out of the pandemic and the subsequent global energy crisis. Shadow Chancellor, Rachel Reeves MP,  estimates that this gifts the biggest multinationals £131m per week that could be spent on the NHS. The demand on organisations to pay the right amount of tax in the right place at the right time has never been greater. Last year, data from the Institute for Business Ethics saw 'corporate tax avoidance' topping the UK public's list of concerns around business conduct for a tenth successive year. Pursuing better tax conduct benefits everyone by strengthening public services. It is a common-sense agenda since tax receipts help fund vital public services like education, health and social care and policing, making our society fairer, safer and more resilient. We can't build back better, let alone face the challenges of the future, without a properly funded public sector.

Manchester’s Labour Council has led the way through its progressive Ethical Procurement Policy for many years, becoming national best practice for how to do business to maximise social value. The Council became an accredited Living Wage Employer in 2019. It already endorses several causes/initiatives within the Ethical Procurement Policy including the Care Leavers Covenant, the Armed Forces Covenant and the Fair Payments through the supply chain.

The Council has also signed up to various employment charters including the Unison Living Wage for Social Care, the Unite the Union Construction Charter, and the Co-op's calls to end modern slavery.  We have been in discussions with the Fair Tax Foundation and this motion confirms our support of the Councils for Fair Tax Declaration.

The Council resolves to: 

(1)      lead by example and demonstrating good practice in our tax conduct, right across our activities;

(2)      ensure contractors implement IR35 robustly and pay a fair share of employment taxes;

(3)      avoid offshore vehicles for the purchase of land and property, especially where this leads to reduced payments of stamp duty;

(4)      undertake due diligence to ensure that not-for-profit structures are not being used inappropriately as an artificial device to reduce the payment of tax and business rates;

(5)      demand clarity on the ultimate beneficial ownership of suppliers and their consolidated profit and loss position;

(6)      promote the Fair Tax Mark certification for any business in which we have a significant stake and where corporation tax is due;

(7)      ask the Leader of the Council to work with the LGA to lobby government to amend the legislation to allow council's the ability to either penalise poor tax conduct or reward good tax conduct;

(8)      call on the government to close the loopholes on tax avoidance.

By adopting these, Manchester plans to continue to lead by example.

On the motion being put to the vote, the lord Mayor declared it carried

Resolution

The Council resolves to: 

(1)       lead by example and demonstrating good  ...  view the full minutes text for item 59.

To submit the minutes of the Executive on 31 May 2023 and 28 June 2023 and in particular to consider:-

Exe/23/52      Capital Programme Update

The Executive:-

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

·                Public Sector Housing – Social Housing Decarbonisation Boiler Replacement. A capital budget increase of £14.095m, funded by HRA Reserve.

·                Public Sector Housing – Operational Housing Programme 2023-24. A capital budget increase of £16.769m, funded by HRA Reserve.

Exe/23/56      Capital Outturn 2022/23 and Capital Programme Update

The Executive:-

(1)      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 Appendix C.

(2)     Recommend that the Council approve the following changes to the Council’s capital programme:-

·                ICT - Council Chamber AV Equipment.  A capital budget increase of £0.520m, funded by borrowing.

·                Contingency – Inflation.  An increase to the inflation contingency by £22.4m, funded by borrowing.

The proceedings of the Executive on 31 May and 28 June 2023 were submitted. The Council was asked to give particular consideration to the following recommendations:

Exe/23/52 Capital Programme Update

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

·                Public Sector Housing – Social Housing Decarbonisation Boiler Replacement. A capital budget increase of £14.095m, funded by HRA Reserve.

·                Public Sector Housing – Operational Housing Programme 2023-24. A capital budget increase of £16.769m, funded by HRA Reserve.

Exe/23/56 Capital Outturn 2022/23 and Capital Programme Update

To 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 Appendix C.

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

·                ICT - Council Chamber AV Equipment. A capital budget increase of £0.520m, funded by borrowing.

·                Contingency – Inflation. An increase to the inflation contingency by £22.4m, funded by borrowing.

Decisions

(1)       To receive the minutes of the Executive held on 31 May and 28 June 2023.

(2)       To approve the virements over £0.5m between capital schemes to maximise use of funding resources available to the City Council

(3)       To approve the following changes to the Council’s capital programme:

·                Public Sector Housing – Social Housing Decarbonisation Boiler Replacement. A capital budget increase of £14.095m, funded by HRA Reserve.

·                Public Sector Housing – Operational Housing Programme 2023-24. A capital budget increase of £16.769m, funded by HRA Reserve.

·                ICT - Council Chamber AV Equipment. A capital budget increase of £0.520m, funded by borrowing.

·                Contingency – Inflation. An increase to the inflation contingency by £22.4m, funded by borrowing.

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

Councillor White responded to a question from Councillor Leech regarding the completion date for the review of conservation areas.

Councillor Rawlins responded to a question from Councillor Leech regarding a response on trip claims and the highways inspection regime.

Councillor Igbon responded to a question from Councillor Leech regarding annual expenditure in the past five years on repairs and cleaning up open spaces in parks following the eviction of travellers.

Councillor Rahman responded to a question from Councillor Leech regarding an update on action taken to provide crime statistics on the GMP website.

Councillor Rawlins responded to a question from Councillor Weist regarding work on reducing high emissions advertising methods, products and services.

Councillor Rawlins responded to a question from Councillor Johnson regarding plans to address issues raised in the Clean Cities Campaign technical report on Greater Manchester.

Councillor Igbon responded to a question from Councillor Johnson regarding the clearing of litter prior to grass cutting public spaces within Woodhouse Park.

Councillor Craig responded to a question from Councillor Kilpatrick regarding the revised location of the West Didsbury vent under proposed changes to the HS2 Crewe to Manchester Bill.

Councillor Rawlins responded to a question from Councillor Kilpatrick regarding the protection of trees across the city.

Councillor Bridges responded to a question from Councillor Kilpatrick regarding school admission criteria and checks made to confirm the address used in the school application.

To note the minutes of the following committees:

·                Economy & Regeneration – 23 May and 20 June 2023 

·                Communities & Equalities – 23 May and 20 June 2023

·                Children & Young People – 24 May and 21 June 2023

·                Health – 24 May and 21 June 2023

·                Resources & Governance – 25 May and 22 June 2023

·                Environment, Climate Change & Neighbourhoods – 25 May and 22 June 2023

The minutes of the following Scrutiny Committee meetings were submitted:

·                Economy and Regeneration – 23 May and 20 June 2023

·                Communities and Equalities – 23 May and 20 June 2023

·                Children and Young People – 24 May and 21 June 2023

·                Health – 24 May and 21 June 2023

·                Resources and Governance – 25 May and 22 June 2023

·                Environment, Climate Change and Neighbourhoods – 25 May and 22 June 2023

Decision

To receive those minutes submitted

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

·                Personnel Committee – 31 May 2023 and in particular, to consider:

PE/23/6Creation of a new post - Director of Communities

The Committee recommends to Council the creation of new post, Director of Communities grade SS4 Grade (£101,996 to £112,411).

·                Planning and Highways Committee – 13 April and  1 June 2023

·                Health and Wellbeing Board – 7 June 2023

·                Audit Committee – 13 June 2023

·                Standards Committee – 15 June 2023 and in particular, to consider

ST/23/13  Review of the Operation and Efficacy of the Member/Officer Relations Protocol

The Committee recommends that full Council adopts a revised Code of Conduct for Members.

ST/23/14  Review of the Operation and Efficacy of the Use of Resources Guidance for Members

The Committee Recommends to full Council the adoption of the revised guidance

·                Constitutional and Nomination Committee – 12 July 2023 (to be tabled)

The minutes of the following meetings were submitted:

·                Personnel Committee – 31 May 2023

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

PE/23/6 Creation of a new post - Director of Communities

The Committee recommends to Council the creation of new

post, Director of Communities grade SS4 Grade (£101,996

to £112,411).

·                Planning and Highways Committee – 13 April and 1 June 2023

·                Health and Wellbeing Board – 7 June 2023

·                Audit Committee – 13 June 2023

·                Standards Committee – 15 June 2023

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

ST/23/14 Review of the Operation and Efficacy of the Use of Resources Guidance for Members

The Committee Recommends to full Council the adoption of

the revised guidance

·                Constitutional and Nomination Committee – 12 July 2023

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

CN/23/16 Appointments and Changes to Council Committee Membership

(1)    Recommend Council approve the amendments to committee appointments as follows:-

(2)       Recommend that Council agree the appointment of Councillors Bell and Chohan to the Council’s Adoption Panel.

Decisions

1.            To receive those minutes submitted.

2.         To approve the creation of new post, Director of Communities at grade SS4 Grade (£101,996 to £112,411).

3.         To agree the adoption of the revised guidance in respect of the Operation and Efficacy of the Use of Resources Guidance for Members

4.            To approve the changes in appointments to Committees and panels of the Council, as detailed above.

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.