To allow members an opportunity to declare any personal, prejudicial or disclosable pecuniary interest they might have in any items which appear on this agenda; and record any items from which they are precluded from voting as a result of Council Tax or Council rent arrears. Members with a personal interest should declare that at the start of the item under consideration. If members also have a prejudicial or disclosable pecuniary interest they must withdraw from the meeting during the consideration of the item.

To submit for approval the minutes of the meetings held on 2 and 29 October 2024.

On the 10 July 2019, the Council agreed to declare a Climate Emergency and to work with partners across Manchester and GMCA to become a zero-carbon city by 2038. As part of this commitment, the council also agreed to encourage divestment by Greater Manchester Pension Fund (GMPF) from fossil fuels as soon as possible.

This motion is calling on the Council to uphold its previous commitment to divest from fossil fuels and is asking for a new commitment by GMPF to divest from weapons companies. We recognise the inextricable link between war, climate destruction, and human suffering.

Armed conflicts not only result in loss of life, including civilians and children, but also lead to intense environmental destruction; from the first stages of manufacturing and deploying weapons, to the decimation of landscapes and habitats, to carbon intensive post war clean up and reconstruction.

For GMPF, investments in fossil fuel and weapons not only pose ethical questions, but also raise financial risks. Furthermore, investment makes them complicit in human rights violations, destruction of communities and infrastructure, displacement, and economic costs, while undermining sovereignty and misallocating resources.

Likewise, it is globally recognised that we must transition away from fossil fuels to curb the worst impacts of global warming. Continuing to invest in outdated energy technology is simply poor practice.

This Council notes:

·            Approximately 6% of the GMPF fund (equating to £1.5b) is invested in the fossil fuel industry – this represents some of the highest investments across local authority pension funds. These corporations include Shell, BP, TotalEnergies, Glencore, Legal and General and numerous others.

·            The Labour Party manifesto 2024 stated it would mandate: “UK-regulated financial institutions – including …pension funds, and insurers… to develop and implement credible transition plans that align with the 1.5°C goal of the Paris Agreement.”

·            The Greater Manchester Pension Fund has set a goal of 2050 for reaching net zero carbon emissions, even though the Greater Manchester Combined Authority has set a more ambitious target of 2038 to reach the same goal.

·            The fiduciary duties of the GMPF are compatible with fossil fuel divestment as evidenced by the many public sector and other pension funds, including local government ones, who are performing significantly better than GMPF on reaching zero carbon.

·            Fossil fuel investments risk becoming stranded assets as global decarbonisation efforts intensify.

·            Since 2018, UNISON has made the decision to campaign for divestment from these companies because of the devastating impacts of their activities.

·            Fossil fuel investments should be considered part of the council’s “carbon footprint” and divesting our pension fund is one of the most impactful steps we can take to reduce our impact.

The Council notes further:

·            All the world’s militaries combined, and the industries that provide their equipment, are estimated to create 6% of global emissions.

·            GMPF currently invests over £241 million in companies such as BAE, Honeywell, Boeing, Caterpillar, Dassault, Rheinmetall etc. These companies profit from arms sales to states that breach international law and carry out human rights abuses, including the ongoing genocide in  ...  view the full agenda text for item 4.

The Post Office has announced plans to close three branches across the city in central Manchester, Didsbury Village and Barnes Green in Harpurhey. Post Offices are at the heart of our local communities.

Consequently, we call for Manchester City Council to:-

(1)      Oppose these closures by all means possible.

(2)      Request that the Leader writes to the Post Office and that she and the Interim Chief Executive meets the Post Office CEO to oppose the plans in person and to delay the closures in order to explore all possible alternatives.

(3)      Work with other Councils across Greater Manchester to oppose all proposed closures in the area.

(4)      Contact our Members of Parliament to ask them to involve themselves in the campaign by meeting the Secretary of State for Business to discuss what the Government, as the sole shareholder in the Post Office, can do to halt the closures.

(5)      Recommend that the Executive consider an official City Council petition for concerned residents to sign.

(6)      Work with relevant Trade Unions to oppose the closures

(7)      Involve community groups such as Didsbury Good Neighbours and Harpurhey Together in the campaign focusing on the impact of the closures on older residents.

Proposed by Councillor Simcock, seconded by Councillor Karney and supported by Councillors L Bell, Collins, Foley, Green, Hilal, Johns and McCaul

Manchester City Council has been recongised for its long standing leadership on climate change, to reduce emissions and working with the community, charities and business to educate and address the serious effects that Climate Change will have for Manchester people.

Under a new Government, Manchester will play a leading role in just and fair transition to a net zero economy, that can create new jobs and save Manchester people money while protecting the climate.

Council notes that:-

·            We have a long history of action. In 2009 Manchester City Council published a climate change 'call to action', inviting the city to help develop the city's first ever climate change strategy, refreshed in 2013 to work with the new GM strategy and built into a priority of the Our Manchester Strategy in 2016. In 2019, Manchester City Council unanimously declared a ‘Climate Emergency’ and developed a 5-year Climate Change Action Plan 2020-25, to outline its ambition to tackle climate change and take action to become a zero-carbon organisation by 2038. In 2022, the Council refreshed its Climate Change Action Plan, and provides regular updates on its progress to Scrutiny.

·            The 2019 motion to council formalised a number of asks from carbon literacy training to decarbonising public transport and included formalising the policy of this Council that we support the decarbonisation of the Greater Manchester Pension Fund. Since 2019 successive Executive Members, Leaders and pension fund representatives have taken action to do this.

Council welcomes:-

The new Labour Governments approach to tackling the climate emergency and energy poverty and their leadership in pushing the United Kingdom at the forefront of global leadership.

We welcome the bold action form the new Government since July. Since July the government has:   

·            lifted the ban on onshore wind in England

·            delivered a record number of clean energy projects through its renewables auction

·            consented unprecedented amounts of nationally significant solar – 2GW – more than the last 14 years combined

·            launched Great British Energy backed by £8.3 billion to speed up the deployment of clean technologies 

·            Agreed £13.2bn investment over the next five years to insulate and improve 5 million homes to at least the level of EPC C.

·            fired the starting gun on the UK’s carbon capture, usage and storage industry, with funding agreed for 2 clusters in Teesside and the North West

At COP29 the UK Labour Government set out new targets to reduce emissions and Keir Starmer  called on the global community to join him.

Council resolves to:-

(1)       Remain at the forefront of leading on tackling climate change and for Manchester to show leadership locally, nationally and internationally

(2)       Continue to push for a clear plan and timeline for GM Pension Fund to divest from Fossil Fuels. 

(3)       To work with the Government on pension reform to allow more investment in inclusive and sustainable growth.

(4)       Play a leading role as a signatory of the fossil Fuel Non- Proliferation Treaty and call on the UK Government to do to do the same.

(5)       Write  ...  view the full agenda text for item 6.

Manchester’s unpaid carers are the unsung heroes of our city, supporting family members or friends who due to illness, disability, mental health or an addiction – are not able to cope without their support. They form the backbone of our local communities offering not only their skills and time but also their compassion and dedication, selflessly placing the needs of others above their own. However, this often demands considerable personal sacrifice, subjecting carers to financial strain and employment challenges.

Over recent years Manchester City Council has introduced a number of supportive measures to our unpaid carers – however we know that challenges remain for many and are determined to advance the reach out of our work to those unpaid carers further and faster in the years to come.    

Council notes:-

·            The Government’s recent announcement in the Autumn Statement supporting those with caring responsibilities will be able to earn more without losing government support; with the Carer’s Allowance earnings threshold being boosted by £45 a week to £196, benefitting more than 60,000 carers by 2029/30.

·            The permanent investment of £1.5 million from Manchester City Council into the Carers Manchester Pathway, of which Gaddum is the commissioned service provider.

·            The creation of the Carers Manchester Partnership Board which brings together strategic leads from across the statutory and voluntary sectors, for the commissioning and provision of carer support services.

·            The creation of the Manchester Carers respite strategy in 2024 with Carefree, supporting 300 Manchester unpaid carers across the city.

·            The second Manchester Carers recognition Award took place in April last year, where 180 residents attended the event where 80 unpaid carers were nominated for an award.

Council however also notes:-

·            In the United Kingdom, there are approximately 6.5 million unpaid carers, many of whom grapple with financial challenges due to insufficient support.

·            Over 1 million unpaid carers provide in excess of 50 hours of unpaid care each week, thereby impacting their ability to sustain stable employment.

·            A survey conducted by Carers UK revealed that 72% of unpaid carers experience workplace discrimination, while 83% report financial struggles.

Council therefore resolves to:-

(1)       To continue to support Manchester’s unpaid carers, further developing our respite offer and available support packages through the Carers Manchester Partnership Board.

(2)       To raise awareness of the recent Government changes to financial entitlements and ensure that the Manchester residents who are eligible receive the necessary support and information to access it.

(3)       To further celebrate the work of our unpaid Carers, through a formal award at the Manchester Be Proud awards.

Proposed by Councillor Mandongwe, seconded by Councillor Cooley and supported by Councillors Karney, Midgley, T Robinson and White

To submit the minutes of the Executive on 16 October and 13 November 2024,  and in particular, to consider:

Exe/24/83         Our Town Hall Project Update (Part A)

Recommend that the Council approve a capital budget increase of £76m for the Our Town Hall Project funded by borrowing.  This will increase the total capital budget for the Our Town Hall Project from £353,836,699 to £429,815,988 to be met from borrowing to ensure that the Council can continue to meet its contractual obligations.

Exe/24/89     Capital Programme P6 2024/25

Recommend that Council approve the budget change to the Council’s capital programme detailed as follows:-

·            Public Sector Housing – High Rise Fire Safety Work – a  capital budget virement of £1.695m, funded from within approved budgets, to develop and plan the delivery of remediation works to 7 high rise and 5 low rise blocks which is part of the Council owned assets.

Exe/24/92     Parental Leave Policy for Members

Recommend that Council endorse the Parental Leave Policy for Members and in doing so agree that, although each case must be considered on its merits, particular consideration will be given to approving the reason for absence under section 85 of the Local Government Act 1985 in the case of approved parental leave taken under this policy

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

To note the minutes of the following committees:

·            Economy & Regeneration – 8 October and 5 November 2024

·            Communities & Equalities – 8 October and 5 November 2024

·            Children & Young People – 9 October and 6 November 2024

·            Health – 9 October and 6 November 2024

·            Resources and Governance – 10 October and 7 November 2024

·            Environment, Climate Change & Neighbourhoods – 10 October and 7 November 2024

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

·            Audit Committee – 22 October 2024

·            Licensing and Appeals Committee 21 October 2024

·            Licensing Committee – 21 October 2024

·            Planning and Highways Committee – 26 September and 24 October 2024

·            Personnel Committee – 16 October and 13 November 2024

·            Standards Committee – 31 October 2024

·            Licensing Policy Committee – 8 November 2024, and in particular, to consider:

LPC/24/02    Review of Gambling Policy 2025-28

To recommend to Council to approve the policy for publication, subject to any final changes required by this Committee.

(A copy of the Gambling Policy is attached - see Item 15 on the Council Summons).

Health and Wellbeing Board – 20 November 2024

Constitutional and Nomination Committee – 27 November 2024 – to follow

Report of the Director of HROD & Transformation and the City Solicitor attached

The report of the City Solicitor is enclosed.

Policy attached and to be read in connection with agenda item 6 – Proceedings of Executive, (specifically minute Exe/24/92 Parental Leave Policy for Members)

The Manchester Statement of Principles under the Gambling Act 2005 for the period 2025-2028 is attached.