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 meeting held on 28 February 2025.

Manchester faces significant challenges in achieving It’s target of net-zero carbon by 2038. The city has already consumed a substantial portion of its carbon budget, and if this trend continues, the entire carbon budget for the city will be used up within the next decade.

This alarming trajectory underscores the urgency to drastically reduce emissions across all sectors. Since buildings account for around three-quarters of the city’s direct emissions, reducing emissions from this sector, as soon as possible, is critical. 

This Council recognises the built environment's role in addressing the climate crisis and is committed to reducing the carbon footprint of new developments. To meet our net-zero goals, we must adopt key actions to ensure new buildings meet high sustainability standards. 

The Manchester Climate Change Partnership, supported by the Manchester Climate Change Agency (MCCP) made policy recommendations to feed into the Manchester Local Plan in their “Net Zero New Buildings” report. By enshrining these recommendations in policy, this Council will take a proactive and comprehensive approach to ensuring that new buildings contribute to a sustainable, zero-carbon future. 

The recommendations are:-

1. Adopt a Retrofit First approach – Retrofit existing buildings wherever possible with the potential to retain and/or adapt any buildings on site as part of redevelopment proposals. If retention isn't feasible, a policy should ensure waste is minimized during deconstruction by adhering to sustainable and circular economy principles.

2. Minimise embodied carbon in new buildings – Where it has been identified that a new building would need to be constructed, the building should endeavour to reduce its embodied carbon as much as possible. The development should allow for disassembly, reuse, and recycling of materials, maximize the use of recycled materials, and incorporate off-site construction methods to reduce waste, while promoting durability, modularity, and minimising operational waste.  

3. Ensure new builds are net-zero carbon in operation – Buildings should follow the energy hierarchy in their design principles to achieve energy efficiency. If full compliance is not feasible, proposals must demonstrate that the greatest possible energy reductions have been considered, with exceptions allowed if a higher whole life carbon toll can be proven. Post-occupation, in-use operational energy consumption should be reported to help the Council assess the building's progress against Manchester's carbon budget.

4. Establish an oversight and support body –  An organisation (either within the planning authority or an external body like the MCCP) should be established as a statutory stakeholder to comment on the environmental information provided within a planning application … This organisation could also play a role in assessing and holding post-occupancy information provided as part of environmental performance-related planning conditions. 

5. Quantifiable sustainability statements and standardised reporting – All future major planning applications should provide an energy and/or sustainability statement and completed reporting template.

6. Create a Local Carbon Offset Fund – The creation of a local carbon offset fund should be explored to help achieve carbon neutrality where the required cuts in carbon cannot be achieved in situ. This is to fund climate resilience measures  ...  view the full agenda text for item 4.

Council is proud that Manchester is a diverse city made up of residents whose backgrounds are from Manchester to across the UK, but also from nations across the world. 

Council notes that Manchester and the UK have a proud tradition of welcoming visitors and workers from across the world as well as welcoming those fleeing war, violence and oppression, including many Mancunians opening up their homes to Ukranian refugees since Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine.

Council therefore notes with concern the decision by the Labour Government to introduce the largest cuts to the UK overseas aid in history to only 0.3% of GDP, a loss of around £5.5 billion. This will result in far fewer resources for our humanitarian responses to disasters and emergencies around the world, and also international aid that is used to support people coming to Manchester and other parts of the UK.

Years of progress and peacebuilding in areas of historic conflict are under threat of being reversed. Communities who are still rebuilding after natural disasters will be more vulnerable to the effects of the climate crisis in the future. These cuts will have a global impact across many countries and affecting critical sectors like humanitarian response, climate resilience, education, health, and violence prevention.

Council recognises that the Government has taken the decision to cut international aid in order to increase defence spending, following the decision by the United States to stop support to Ukraine, but believes that cutting funding to international aid is a false economy. Further recognises that spending aid on humanitarian responses, climate resilience, education, health and violence prevention saves lives, and helps countries to get back on their feet, and reduces the displacement of people seeking a new life. Spending less money on international aid abroad is likely to result in more resources being required to support people at home, at a time when local councils are already under significant financial pressures.

Council resolves to:-

Instruct the Chief Executive to write to the Prime Minister to urge him to reconsider cutting the international aid Budget, pointing out that it will result in further instability and violence around the world, and more people leaving their homes to find and safe a secure place to live, resulting in additional pressures on services in Manchester and across the UK.

Proposed by Councillor Leech, seconded by Councillor Kilpatrick and supported by Councillors Good, Johnson, Northwood, Nunney Johnson Sarwar and Wiest.

We welcome the new Labour Government’s approach to tackling crime, many of which are included in the Crime and Policing Bill.

Over the last 15 years, under the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats, too many crimes have been left un-investigated with Police being underfunded and not given the powers they need to keep our communities safe.

In many of our communities, residents complain about anti-social behaviour and the impact of quad bikes, with groups causing disturbances through estates and being left unchallenged. We are pleased that the Labour Government are introducing new powers to make it easier for Police to seize nuisance causing quad bikes. We want to see this introduced quickly.

Too many people in Manchester tragically are victims of knife crime. The availability of incredibly dangerous weapons online – often described as “Zombie knives” puts our communities at risk.  We welcome the Government’s plans create a power to destroy bladed articles found on private property and increasing the maximum penalty for sale of dangerous weapons to under 18s.

Across our communities we see the real impact of shoplifting and retail crime which has grown hugely in recent years. Under the Tories, the amount that shoplifters could steal before being prosecuted was increased– effectively decriminalising shoplifting for smaller amounts.  Until recently, Greater Manchester Police were not routinely attending shoplifting offences and shop workers and shop owners felt unprotected.

We welcome the improved performance of Greater Manchester Police and the fact that they do now attend retail crime. We welcome the Government’s plans to reduce the threshold so that shoplifting offences are taken seriously and investigated.

Shoplifting is not a victimless crime. Anyone who has ever worked in retail will know the impact this has on ordinary working-class Mancunians going about their daily lives and earning a living.

In recent years Manchester, like other large cities, has seen a wave of riots and unacceptable protest action. We have seen shops and banks smashed up, paint thrown and workers feeling threatened and intimidated. This is not acceptable in our city. We welcome the Government’s plans to improve protection for shop workers and the new offence of assaulting a retail worker, giving workers here in Manchester the protection they need. Manchester residents should not face this level of intimidation and abuse. We ask that the Government consider extending their plans to cover workers in retail banking who face continual intimidation.

We want our city to be safer for women and girls. The Council has led the way with a nighttime safety charter and the Walk Safe app but more needs to be done at a national level. We welcome the proposals to create a new standalone spiking offence and to give victims of stalking the right to know the identity of their stalker.

Manchester residents are fed up with the levels of crime that they have been expected to put up with.  We welcome the election of a government which is prioritising taking action on neighbourhood crime and we ask that the  ...  view the full agenda text for item 6.

Manchester is a brilliant city, a fantastic place to live and a city always striving to be better. We have great neighbourhoods, communities, parks and green spaces all across our city.

But too many people and communities are blighted by the scourge of littered streets and fly tipping. Despite the vital work of community groups and council services cleaning our streets, now is the time to step up the fight to clean our streets.

From litter thoughtlessly dropped, to repeat rogue landlords and businesses dumping their rubbish on our streets- enough is enough.

Last year the council was recognised as a leading council for their action on fly tipping. They over saw 5794 fly-tip investigations, issued 1,070 FPNs and secured 334 prosecutions through the courts of repeated offenders. But we know with extra capacity they could do more.

We note the council increased their fines to £180 for people who disrespect our streets with illegal dumping and litter, but this should be higher

We note that the council is investing and extra £5million into cleaning up our streets. 

We call on the council to stand with ordinary residents to send a clear message that this council is waging a war on rubbish.

We call on the Council, through the Executive to:-

(1)       Make it their mission to clean up our streets and direct resources to the communities most blighted by rubbish.

(2)       Run a public awareness campaign to get all residents to play their part and respect our streets by not dropping litter.

(3)       Increase the fines available to punish repeat offenders.

(4)       Increase the capacity of the team that handles investigations and issues fines.

(5)       Expand CCTV for the worst offending areas and look at how we can use new technology to roll out cameras and enforcement in these hotspots.

(6)       Expand the fly tipping hotspot programme and look at rolling out ways to make it easier for residents without cars like community skips.

(7)       Call on the government for more powers to tackle rogue landlords, serial dumpers and businesses who dump their waste.

Together we will win the war on rubbish and clean up our streets.

Proposed by Councillor Ludford, seconded by Councillor Sheikh and supported by Councillors Bridges, Gartside, Karney, Midgley, McHale, Irene Robinson, Curley, Green, Reeves and Richards

This Council recognises the vital role of its 17 designated district centres in fostering dynamic, fair, and inclusive communities. These centres are integral to local life, serving as hubs for living, working, shopping, and socializing.

We note that to enhance the District Centres vitality and viability, the Council has implemented a comprehensive strategy focusing on several key areas:

1. Evidence-Based Understanding and Collaboration – In 2016, the Council partnered with the Institute of Place Management (IPM) to pilot the ‘Vital and Viable Neighbourhoods’ programme. This initiative aimed to develop an evidence-based understanding of factors influencing local centres and promote active collaboration among stakeholders to drive positive change.

2. Regeneration and Development Initiatives – Recognising the unique characteristics of each district centre, the Council has embarked on bespoke regeneration programmes to unlock their potential. These initiatives address specific economic and social needs, fostering redevelopment and investment opportunities. For example, the Chorlton District Centre Action Plan (2010–2020) aimed to create a vibrant centre leveraging the economic potential of the Metrolink. More recently too in Moston, Gorton, Withington, Newton Heath and Wythenshawe to improve these high streets and district centres across the city, including £5m of spend across a number of these centres.

The Council welcomes:-

·            Alignment with the ‘Our Manchester Strategy’ – which envisions a dynamic, inclusive city. This strategy emphasises the importance of district centres in providing new homes, creating jobs, and addressing climate change, thereby contributing to city-wide objectives such as promoting active travel and reducing health inequalities.

·            Strategic Planning Framework – The Council’s Core Strategy, adopted in 2012 and updated following the adoption of ‘Places for Everyone’ in 2024, serves as the key development document guiding future development of district centres and ensures that planning applications are assessed against long-term strategic policies, facilitating coordinated growth and regeneration efforts.

Through these efforts, Manchester City Council aims to revitalise its district centres, ensuring they continue to meet the evolving needs of our communities.

This Council resolves to:-

Recommend the Executive to take steps to improve district centres in the north of the city, focusing on economic growth, public spaces, transport, and community wellbeing. These to include:-

(1)           Economic Regeneration

·            Offer grants and mentoring for small businesses and startups.

·            Ensure a mix of shops, cafes, and essential services to create vibrant high streets.

·            Introduce pop-up shops, community hubs, or creative spaces in vacant properties.

·            Support small and independent traders and businesses to ensure they get the full support and discounts on offer through business rates relief.

(2)           Public Realm and Green Spaces

·            Invest in better pavements, seating, lighting, and signage. Promote and encourage more litter picking events led by the community.

·            Work with the police to tackle anti-social behaviour and improve safety.

·            Plant more trees, create mini-parks, and improve existing green spaces.

·            Upgrade libraries, community centres, and public squares to serve as social hubs.

(3)      Transport and Connectivity

·            Improve bus services, introduce more cycling lanes, and enhance pedestrian access.

·            Ensure affordable and convenient parking for shoppers and visitors.

·            Introduce speed limits and  ...  view the full agenda text for item 8.

This Council notes that:-

Dangerous driving undermines Manchester’s transport vision. Moving traffic contraventions - such as blocking yellow box junctions, illegal turns, and prohibited driving - contribute to congestion, air pollution, and road dangers, disproportionately harming pedestrians and cyclists. These issues conflict with the Bee Network’s goal of a "well-connected, cleaner, greener, and safer city".

·            Manchester City Council has utilised its powers under the Traffic Management Act 2004 to enforce contraventions (e.g., yellow box junctions, banned turns) via ANPR cameras. However, the operational scale of enforcement remains low.

·            Greater Manchester Police’s limited capacity to prioritise enforcement of traffic offences (e.g., speeding, illegal e-bike modifications) has led to compliance gaps, particularly at high-risk sites like Stockport Road/Dickenson Road, where fatal collisions occurred in 2023.

·            Evidence shows enforcement-linked campaigns reduce speeding by 16% increase seatbelt use by 25% and lower fatalities by 9%.

This Council believes that:-

·            Strategic expansion of ANPR enforcement, aligned with MCC’s phased rollout programme, is critical to protect vulnerable road users and maintain public confidence in the £1.2 billion Bee Network.

·            While primary legislation is regularly amended, secondary legislation gaps persist for emerging transport modes like e-scooters/e-bikes, requiring modernisation to address pavement misuse and mandate geofencing standards.

·            Public awareness campaigns—when paired with enforcement—reduce dangerous driving by 30–45%, as demonstrated by the THINK! Initiative.

This Council resolves to:-

(1)      Request the Executive to:-

·            Accelerate ANPR rollout to all seven high-risk sites identified in the 2023 consultation prioritising completion within existing commissioning processes, expediate additional high-risk sites for enforcement.

·            Work with TfGM and GMP to:-

·       Strengthen regulation of e-scooters/e-bikes through quarterly audits of delivery platform riders’ vehicles.

·       Integrate real-time e-bike safety alerts into the Bee Network app, highlighting banned zones and mandatory dismount areas.

·       Expand Operation Avro-style crackdowns on illegally modified e-bikes.

(2)      Lobby the new Labour Government to grant experimental powers for local authority enforcement of 20mph speed limits under the Traffic Management Act 2004.

(3)      Request TfGM to introduce Bee Network-branded public awareness campaigns on buses, trams, and digital platforms, emphasising enforcement consequences (e.g., "Block the box? Expect a £70 sting").

Proposed by Councillor Chohan, seconded by Councillor Stogia and supported by Councillors Appleby, Hughes, Glover, Mumtaz, Lynch, Noor, Shilton-Godwin, Whiston, Stogia, Simcock, Davies and Wills

To submit the minutes of the part proceedings (non-budget) of Executive on 19 February 2025 and the full proceedings on 14 March 2025 (to follow) and in particular to consider:-

Exe/25/28        Corporate Enforcement Policy

The Executive recommend that Council approve the updated Corporate Enforcement 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 – 11 February 2025 and 4 March 2025

·     Communities & Equalities – 11 February 2025 and 4 March 2025

·     Children & Young People – 12 February 2025 and 5 March 2025

·     Health – 12 February 2025 and 5 March 2025

·     Resources & Governance – 13 February 2025 and 6 March 2025

·     Environment, Climate Change & Neighbourhoods – 13 February 2025 and 6 March 2025.

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

·     Constitution and Nomination Committee – 30 January 2025

·     Audit Committee – 18 February and 11 March 2025

·     Personnel Committee – 19 February 2025, and in particular to consider:-

PE/25/26   Approval of Exit Costs

The Committee recommend that Council approve redundancy costs of £20,650, and pension capital costs to the Greater Manchester Pension Fund of £132,318 associated with the release

·     Planning and Highways Committee – 20 February 2025

·     Standards – 13 March 2025

The report of the Chief Executive is enclosed.

The draft Corporate Enforcement Policy is to be taken in conjunction with item 10 on the Summons – Proceedings of Executive