Agenda and minutes

Agenda and minutes

Council - Wednesday, 5th October, 2022 10.00 am

Venue: The Council Chamber, Level 2, Town Hall Extension

Contact: Andrew Woods 

Media

Items
No. Item

62.

The Lord Mayor's Announcements - Death of Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth II

Minutes:

The Lord Mayor made reference to the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and gave recognition to her 70 year reign and lifelong devotion to public service, the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth.

 

In noting that this was the first meeting of Council since the death of Her Majesty, the Lord Mayor invited the Council to stand for a minute in silent respect.

63.

The Lord Mayor's Announcements and Special Business - Manchester Older People's Board – Retirement of Board Members

·                Manchester Older People's Board – retirement of Board Members

·                Presentation of Manchester as a Living Wage City

Minutes:

The Lord Mayor offered the Council’s congratulations and gratitude to Bhim Virmani and Jamil Abdulkader in recognition of their long service as Board Members of Manchester’s Older People Board.

 

The Lord Mayor paid tribute to all Age Friendly Board Members and their work to champion and positively change the way we view and treat ageing in the City of Manchester.

 

As a mark of appreciation, the Lord Mayor presented Bhim and Jamil with certificates of Lifetime Honorary Board Membership.

64.

The Lord Mayors Announcements and Special Business - Accreditation of Manchester as a Real Living Wage City

Minutes:

The Lord Mayor invited Jennifer Atkins (People Director at Bruntwood) and Helen Watson (Domiciliary Care Worker) who addressed the Council on Manchester’s Accreditation as a Living Wage City. The Leader of the Council also addressed the Council to explain how Manchester is leading the way as an accredited Living Wage City. The  recognise the difficulty of the many working Manchester residents who are not paid the living wage. The accreditation includes over one hundred and sixty employers in the city involved through the work of the Action Group and will benefit over sixty four thousand employees. The Leader of the Council gave an assurance that work will continue to increase the number of employers, businesses and organisations throughout Manchester to become Living Wage accredited.  

65.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 109 KB

To submit for approval the minutes of the meeting held on 13 July 2022.

Minutes:

The Minutes of the meeting held on 13 July 2022 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Lord Mayor.

66.

Notice of Motion - National Housing Crisis

The worst cost of living crisis since the 1950s is coinciding with a national housing crisis. The result of this will be an increasing number of our residents deprived of one of the most fundamental pillars to a healthy and happy life – a secure, stable, and affordable home.

 

Homeownership is in decline following a period of rising house prices that has made buying a home unaffordable for too many. This combined with a drastic depletion in social housing stock has forced an increasing number of residents into the private rented sector and at the mercy of rising rents and under-regulated tenancies. Worse still, many are left without a permanent residence at all, as levels of homelessness remain high.

 

Whilst this Council has welcomed the Manchester Housing Strategy it is now calling for the acceleration of its delivery to increase the provision of affordable, secure, high-quality and energy-efficient housing across the city to tackle the root of the housing crisis locally.

 

However, in the face of a worsening national economic crisis, urgent action is needed to protect our residents, especially those in the most precarious living circumstances, from its severest impacts.

 

To support residents through the immediate and acute period of the cost-of-living crisis, this Council calls upon Government to:

 

·                Increase Local Housing Allowance rates in line with rising private market rents - making these more affordable and reducing the proportion of income spent on rent at a time when household budgets are increasingly squeezed

·                Introduce rent reforms and a potential temporary cap to protect private tenants from further rental increases at a time of crisis

·                Legislate a no winter evictions guarantee to protect private tenants from homelessness through the most challenging period of the cost-of-living crisis

·                Reform Right to Buy - safeguarding remaining social housing stock for our most vulnerable residents, but also increasing affordable housing targets and expanding pathways to homeownership so that the right to own your own home can still be a realistic goal for all residents

·                Prioritise the passing of the Renters’ Reform Bill that seeks to improve standards and regulations across the private rented sector to better protect tenants.

 

Proposed by Councillor Moran, seconded by Councillor Lynch and supported by Councillors Baker-Smith, Rahman, Richards, T Robinson, Russell and White.

Minutes:

Councillor Moran proposedmitted the following motion, which was seconded by Councillor Lynch:-

 

The worst cost of living crisis since the 1950s is coinciding with a national housing crisis. The result of this will be an increasing number of our residents deprived of one of the most fundamental pillars to a healthy and happy life – a secure, stable, and affordable home.

 

Homeownership is in decline following a period of rising house prices that has made buying a home unaffordable for too many. This combined with a drastic depletion in social housing stock has forced an increasing number of residents into the private rented sector and at the mercy of rising rents and under-regulated tenancies. Worse still, many are left without a permanent residence at all, as levels of homelessness remain high.

 

Whilst this Council has welcomed the Manchester Housing Strategy it is now calling for the acceleration of its delivery to increase the provision of affordable, secure, high-quality and energy-efficient housing across the city to tackle the root of the housing crisis locally.

 

However, in the face of a worsening national economic crisis, urgent action is needed to protect our residents, especially those in the most precarious living circumstances, from its severest impacts.

 

To support residents through the immediate and acute period of the cost-of-living crisis, this Council calls upon Government to:

 

·                Increase Local Housing Allowance rates in line with rising private market rents - making these more affordable and reducing the proportion of income spent on rent at a time when household budgets are increasingly squeezed

·                Introduce rent reforms and a potential temporary cap to protect private tenants from further rental increases at a time of crisis

·                Legislate a no winter evictions guarantee to protect private tenants from homelessness through the most challenging period of the cost-of-living crisis

·                Reform Right to Buy - safeguarding remaining social housing stock for our most vulnerable residents, but also increasing affordable housing targets and expanding pathways to homeownership so that the right to own your own home can still be a realistic goal for all residents

·                Prioritise the passing of the Renters’ Reform Bill that seeks to improve standards and regulations across the private rented sector to better protect tenants.

 

Councillor Leech proposed the following amendment to the motion which was seconded by Councillor Good:-

 

The worst cost of living crisis since the 1950s is coinciding with a national housing crisis. The result of this will be an increasing number of our residents deprived of one of the most fundamental pillars to a healthy and happy life – a secure, stable, and affordable home.

 

Homeownership is in decline following a period of rising house prices that has made buying a home unaffordable for too many. This combined with a drastic depletion in social housing stock has forced an increasing number of residents into the private rented sector and at the mercy of rising rents and under-regulated tenancies. Worse still, many are left without a permanent residence at all, as levels of homelessness remain  ...  view the full minutes text for item 66.

67.

Notice of Motion - Support Fair Votes Now

This Council notes that the Labour Party in government successfully implemented Proportional Representation (PR) for several elections, introducing PR into devolved government for Scotland and Wales, in the London Assembly and the Supplementary vote for the Mayoral elections. The introduction of PR for local elections in Scotland has led to an increase in turnout, which was 44.8% at the last elections, held in 2022.

 

In contrast turnout in Manchester in 2022 was 24.08%, meaning over 75% of eligible voters stayed away.

 

With the Welsh Senedd reviewing legislation on Single Transferable Vote for local councils, England looks likely to be the only part of the UK without any form of PR at local level.

 

Earlier in 2022, Labour Mayor for Greater Manchester Andy Burnham voiced public support for a Proportional Representation system for general elections, writing “First-past-the-post, combined with the whip system, takes the votes of millions and turns them into inordinate power for a small Whitehall elite.”

 

Earlier in 2022, Prospect and the University and College Union (UCU) also voted to embrace more proportional general elections.

 

The list of trade unions who back some kind of electoral reform is long and growing: Unison, Unite the Union, Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS), Prospect, University and College Union (UCU), Fire Brigades Union (FBU), Musicians’ Union (MU), Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen (ASLEF), Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association (TSSA), Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union (BFAWU), Napo (Probation and family court staff).

 

In addition, the Communication Workers Union (CWU) recently unanimously passed a motion calling First Past the Post “undemocratic”. The union will now establish a national policy forum to discuss the merits of PR. As the Labour for a New Democracy coalition has said ”more and more trade unions can see that First Past the Post is bad for workers and bad for the UK”.

 

According to polling, the vast majority of Labour members, and of voters in the United Kingdom, support the use of proportional representation for elections in the United Kingdom. At the most recent (prior to 2022) Labour Party conference, the vast majority of Constituency Labour Party (CLP) delegates supported proportional representation.

 

The Liberal Democrats have a long standing policy of supporting Proportional Representation. The Green Party of England and Wales has also long supported a move to Proportional Representation. There is therefore unity in the political parties represented at Full Council in support of Proportional Representation.

 

The last Labour Government put together the Jenkins Commission, which recommended the adoption of the AV+ voting system.

 

The Conservative Government has also been waging a war against PR, stripping supplementary voting away from Mayoral elections.

 

The UK’s First Past the Post voting system curtails voter choice and leaves millions unrepresented by those elected.

 

This Council also notes that at the local elections in May 2022 in Manchester, Labour gained 93.75% of council seats, despite only 16.4% of the electorate (those eligible to vote) voting Labour. Manchester Liberal Democrats won only 1 council seat (3.1%) to represent 12.64% of the  ...  view the full agenda text for item 67.

Minutes:

Councillor Good proposed the motion, which was seconded by Councillor Johnson:-

 

This Council notes that the Labour Party in government successfully implemented Proportional Representation (PR) for several elections, introducing PR into devolved government for Scotland and Wales, in the London Assembly and the Supplementary vote for the Mayoral elections. The introduction of PR for local elections in Scotland has led to an increase in turnout, which was 44.8% at the last elections, held in 2022.

 

In contrast turnout in Manchester in 2022 was 24.08%, meaning over 75% of eligible voters stayed away.

 

With the Welsh Senedd reviewing legislation on Single Transferable Vote for local councils, England looks likely to be the only part of the UK without any form of PR at local level.

 

Earlier in 2022, Labour Mayor for Greater Manchester Andy Burnham voiced public support for a Proportional Representation system for general elections, writing “First-past-the-post, combined with the whip system, takes the votes of millions and turns them into inordinate power for a small Whitehall elite.”

 

Earlier in 2022, Prospect and the University and College Union (UCU) also voted to embrace more proportional general elections.

 

The list of trade unions who back some kind of electoral reform is long and growing: Unison, Unite the Union, Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS), Prospect, University and College Union (UCU), Fire Brigades Union (FBU), Musicians’ Union (MU), Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen (ASLEF), Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association (TSSA), Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union (BFAWU), Napo (Probation and family court staff).

 

In addition, the Communication Workers Union (CWU) recently unanimously passed a motion calling First Past the Post “undemocratic”. The union will now establish a national policy forum to discuss the merits of PR. As the Labour for a New Democracy coalition has said ”more and more trade unions can see that First Past the Post is bad for workers and bad for the UK”.

 

According to polling, the vast majority of Labour members, and of voters in the United Kingdom, support the use of proportional representation for elections in the United Kingdom. At the most recent (prior to 2022) Labour Party conference, the vast majority of Constituency Labour Party (CLP) delegates supported proportional representation.

 

The Liberal Democrats have a long standing policy of supporting Proportional Representation. The Green Party of England and Wales has also long supported a move to Proportional Representation. There is therefore unity in the political parties represented at Full Council in support of Proportional Representation.

The last Labour Government put together the Jenkins Commission, which recommended the adoption of the AV+ voting system.

 

The Conservative Government has also been waging a war against PR, stripping supplementary voting away from Mayoral elections.

 

The UK’s First Past the Post voting system curtails voter choice and leaves millions unrepresented by those elected.

 

This Council also notes that at the local elections in May 2022 in Manchester, Labour gained 93.75% of council seats, despite only 16.4% of the electorate (those eligible to vote) voting Labour. Manchester Liberal Democrats  ...  view the full minutes text for item 67.

68.

Notice of Motion - Manchester Windrush and Deportations

Manchester City Council notes that:

 

The 2014 Immigration Act has had a huge negative effect on the Windrush Generation and their descendants in Manchester.

 

People have been affected by the Windrush scandal even if they had legal status, such as those who came to Britain from Commonwealth countries before 1973 and their descendants.

 

They and their descendants have been subjected to cruel and inhuman treatment including deportation, loss of employment, housing and services including the denial of prompt medical treatment.

 

Lord Kerslake, the former head of the Civil Service, told BBC’s Newsnight that some in government had warned that the way the 2014 Act worked was ‘almost reminiscent of Nazi Germany’.

 

Manchester City Council believes that:

 

Home Office officials have frequently used the Hostile Environment legislation to deprive migrants of their right to live and work in the UK even if they have legal status.

 

The Windrush Compensation Scheme has not been effective enough in compensating all victims for their losses and is being unreasonably slow to pay out.

 

Many of the current problems have their roots in the racist 1971 Immigration Act which ended the right of people from the British Commonwealth to obtain UK citizenship unless they had a parent or grandparent with UK citizenship. This ensured that many white people in the Commonwealth could come to the UK but denied the same rights to most black people from the same countries. The right of abode should be restored to the Windrush Generation who lived in the UK and their descendants.

 

The use of the UK Borders Act 2007 to automatically deport people who have been sentenced to twelve months or more is racist, as it disproportionately impacts black immigrants (who routinely suffer longer sentences than white people committing the same offences ), and has led to people being deported to countries they left as children and where they have no connections, often leaving behind their families.

 

The Nationalities and Borders Bill creates a second-tier category of British citizenship as Clause 10 of the bill allows the Home Secretary to strip a naturalised Brit of their citizenship without any notice at all and without providing any rationale for the decision.

 

There is need of a lead member who can focus on understanding the legislation and through direct contact with individuals and community organisations how it impacts on our residents. A Windrush Lead can also inform and support the work of the Executive Member for Vibrant Neighbourhoods, who has begun to reach out to the communities impacted, but whose wide ranging portfolio prevents her from the time required to make this work a priority. Especially during the looming Cost of Living Crisis foisted on our residents by the same evil Tory government who also created the Windrush Scandal that we wish to ameliorate.

 

Manchester City Council therefore resolves:

 

1.         To campaign for a Windrush Act which:

 

·           Places a duty on public bodies to reduce race disparities for outcomes in their work as exposed by the Government’s Race Disparity  ...  view the full agenda text for item 68.

Minutes:

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

 

Manchester City Council notes that:

 

The 2014 Immigration Act has had a huge negative effect on the Windrush Generation and their descendants in Manchester.

 

People have been affected by the Windrush scandal even if they had legal status, such as those who came to Britain from Commonwealth countries before 1973 and their descendants.

 

They and their descendants have been subjected to cruel and inhuman treatment including deportation, loss of employment, housing and services including the denial of prompt medical treatment.

 

Lord Kerslake, the former head of the Civil Service, told BBC’s Newsnight that some in government had warned that the way the 2014 Act worked was ‘almost reminiscent of Nazi Germany’.

 

Manchester City Council believes that:

 

Home Office officials have frequently used the Hostile Environment legislation to deprive migrants of their right to live and work in the UK even if they have legal status.

 

The Windrush Compensation Scheme has not been effective enough in compensating all victims for their losses and is being unreasonably slow to pay out.

 

Many of the current problems have their roots in the racist 1971 Immigration Act which ended the right of people from the British Commonwealth to obtain UK citizenship unless they had a parent or grandparent with UK citizenship. This ensured that many white people in the Commonwealth could come to the UK but denied the same rights to most black people from the same countries. The right of abode should be restored to the Windrush Generation who lived in the UK and their descendants.

 

The use of the UK Borders Act 2007 to automatically deport people who have been sentenced to twelve months or more is racist, as it disproportionately impacts black immigrants (who routinely suffer longer sentences than white people committing the same offences ), and has led to people being deported to countries they left as children and where they have no connections, often leaving behind their families.

 

The Nationalities and Borders Bill creates a second-tier category of British citizenship as Clause 10 of the bill allows the Home Secretary to strip a naturalised Brit of their citizenship without any notice at all and without providing any rationale for the decision.

 

There is need of a lead member who can focus on understanding the legislation and through direct contact with individuals and community organisations how it impacts on our residents. A Windrush Lead can also inform and support the work of the Executive Member for Vibrant Neighbourhoods, who has begun to reach out to the communities impacted, but whose wide ranging portfolio prevents her from the time required to make this work a priority. Especially during the looming Cost of Living Crisis foisted on our residents by the same evil Tory government who also created the Windrush Scandal that we wish to ameliorate.

 

Manchester City Council therefore resolves:

 

1.         To campaign for a Windrush Act which:

 

·           Places a duty on public bodies to reduce race disparities  ...  view the full minutes text for item 68.

69.

Notice of Motion - Cost of Living Crisis

This Council notes:

 

The UK is entering a recession, with inflation at over 10%, a 40 year high, interest rates increasing and the cost-of-living spiralling

 

Despite rising costs, the real value of pay fell by 3% up to August 2022

 

Gas has increased 114% and electricity up 85% since April 2022

 

On 24th September the Conservative Government set out a mini-budget that removed the cap on bankers' bonuses and scrapped the highest rate of tax for people earning over £150,000. Basic rate of income tax was reduced from 20% to 19%

 

This means someone earning £25,000 will only get £125 more annually but someone earning £500,000 will gain an extra £17,500 a year

 

This Council Further notes:

 

In the 2022/23 Council Budget, Manchester City Council prioritised tackling Anti-Poverty by committing over £34 Million to working with residents, community groups and charities on anti-poverty measures

 

Manchester City Council already has an Anti-Poverty Strategy, and has developed new plans for a more inclusive economy and an action plan to tackle inequalities

 

In Manchester plans have been moving at pace over the summer to make sure Manchester City Council has a clear Cost-of-Living Action Plan for this winter to support Mancunians during this crisis

 

Manchester City Council will launch its Community Response Hub on 3rd October to provide one point of contact for all of those who need it

 

This Council Resolves:

 

·                To do everything it can this winter to support those most in need in this city and in doing so recommends that the Executive launch a Manchester Cost-of-Living Action Plan –  a support package of over £8m to help Mancunians.

 

·                To organise a Cost-of-Living Summit with partners across the city to ensure every organisation in the city is doing all they can to support Mancunians and to encourage local partnerships to bring together communities.

 

·                To call on the Government to declare a Cost-of-Living emergency and provide COVID style support to residents and businesses urgently.

 

·                That Manchester will continue to support children on Free School Meals during the holidays this winter and to call on the government to make this permanent.

 

·                To call on the Executive to endorse an expansion of the Local Welfare Fund this winter to provide emergency hardship support and continue the city’s emergency food response.

 

·                To continue to work towards achieving a city where everyone gets a fair wage through becoming a Living Wage Place.

 

·                To call on the Government to increase the National Minimum Wage to match the Real Living Wage, and increase Universal Credit and all other benefits in line with inflation.

 

Proposed by Councillor Craig, seconded by Councillor Karney and supported by Councillors Akbar, Bridges, Lanchbury, Rahman, Rawlins, Reeves and T Robinson.

 

Minutes:

Councillor Craig submitted the following motion, which was seconded by Councillor Karney:-

 

This Council notes:

 

The UK is entering a recession, with inflation at over 10%, a 40 year high, interest rates increasing and the cost-of-living spiralling

 

Despite rising costs, the real value of pay fell by 3% up to August 2022

 

Gas has increased 114% and electricity up 85% since April 2022

 

On 24th September the Conservative Government set out a mini-budget that removed the cap on bankers' bonuses and scrapped the highest rate of tax for people earning over £150,000. Basic rate of income tax was reduced from 20% to 19%

 

This means someone earning £25,000 will only get £125 more annually but someone earning £500,000 will gain an extra £17,500 a year

 

This Council Further notes:

 

In the 2022/23 Council Budget, Manchester City Council prioritised tackling Anti-Poverty by committing over £34 Million to working with residents, community groups and charities on anti-poverty measures

 

Manchester City Council already has an Anti-Poverty Strategy, and has developed new plans for a more inclusive economy and an action plan to tackle inequalities

 

In Manchester plans have been moving at pace over the summer to make sure Manchester City Council has a clear Cost-of-Living Action Plan for this winter to support Mancunians during this crisis

 

Manchester City Council will launch its Community Response Hub on 3rd October to provide one point of contact for all of those who need it

 

This Council Resolves:

 

·                To do everything it can this winter to support those most in need in this city and in doing so recommends that the Executive launch a Manchester Cost-of-Living Action Plan: a support package of over £8m to help Mancunians

 

·                To organise a Cost-of-Living Summit with partners across the city to ensure every organisation in the city is doing all they can to support Mancunians and to encourage local partnerships to bring together communities 

 

·                To call on the Government to declare a Cost-of-Living emergency and provide COVID style support to residents and businesses urgently

 

·                That Manchester will continue to support children on Free School Meals during the holidays this winter and to call on the government to make this permanent.

 

·                Calls on the Executive to endorse an expansion of the Local Welfare Fund this winter to provide emergency hardship support and continue the city’s emergency food response

 

·                To continue to work towards achieving a city where everyone gets a fair wage through becoming a Living Wage Place

 

·                To Call on the Government to increase the National Minimum Wage to match the Real Living Wage, and increase Universal Credit and all other benefits in line with inflation

 

Councillor Good submitted the following amendment to the motion which was seconded by Councillor Leech:-

 

This Council notes:

 

The UK is entering a recession, with inflation at over 10%, a 40 year high, interest rates increasing and the cost-of-living spiralling

 

Despite rising costs, the real value of pay fell by 3% up to August 2022

 

Gas has increased 114% and electricity up 85% since  ...  view the full minutes text for item 69.

70.

Notice of Motion - Supporting Our Children and protecting Care Leavers

Every elected member and employee of this Council – along with our partner agencies- is a corporate parent to the children in our care.

 

We are all responsible for providing the best possible care, safeguarding and outcomes for the children who are looked after by us.

 

Our young people in care or who have left care have the right to expect everything from a corporate parent that would be expected from a responsible and good parent. This includes how families continue their support, care, and ambition for their children after they leave home and gain independence

 

As an adult how many times in life do you stop and think, “where do I go from there.” Imagine what that must like for a young person

 

On their own with no one to help or advise.   Just think about for it a minute.

 

We have already made really important steps to support our cared for and care experienced children better:-

 

·                We made all our care leavers exempt from Council Tax up to the age of 25.

·                We gave our Care Leavers Band 1 priority on our housing register.

·                We provide specialist support to any Care Leavers facing homelessness without the use of B&B.

·                We guarantee Care Leavers first access to our apprenticeships.

·                We brought our Leaving Care service back in house and invested in a new home for the service- with trainer flats and emergency accommodation on site.

·                We increased “Staying Put” so that young people can stay with foster carers and invested alongside our housing partners to provide move on accommodation for young people who need independence.

 

However, we cannot be complacent, and we know that we can always do more.

 

We are determined that every decision made in this Council and every policy set here considers the impact on young people in care and those who have experienced the care system.

 

This motion proposes including “young people in care” and “care experienced young people” as an additional characteristic in all of our Equality Impact Assessments. This will give them a formal recognition and make sure that all decisions that are made and policies that are set consider their specific needs and the impact on them.

 

This will have a real tangible impact on people who have experienced care. We want to make it easier for young people to gain employment at the Council and to develop into senior roles – with guaranteed interview schemes, mentoring and support and reasonable adjustments made to support employees with care experience.

 

We also want to see our procurement and commissioning of our services to consider the impact on young people with care experience, in the same way as other protected and additional characteristics are and make extra effort to ensure that they can access all of our services.

 

The Government commissioned an independent national review of children’s social care, and one recommendation was to look at making care experience an additional characteristic. Given the paralysis in Government across departments, we cannot afford to  ...  view the full agenda text for item 70.

Minutes:

Councillor Sadler submitted the following motion, which was seconded by Councillor Bridges:-

 

Every elected member and employee of this Council – along with our partner agencies- is a corporate parent to the children in our care.

 

We are all responsible for providing the best possible care, safeguarding and outcomes for the children who are looked after by us.

 

Our young people in care or who have left care have the right to expect everything from a corporate parent that would be expected from a responsible and good parent. This includes how families continue their support, care, and ambition for their children after they leave home and gain independence

 

As an adult how many times in life do you stop and think, “where do I go from there.” Imagine what that must like for a young person

 

On their own with no one to help or advise.   Just think about for it a minute

 

We have already made really important steps to support our cared for and care experienced children better:-

 

·                We made all our care leavers exempt from Council Tax up to the age of 25.

·                We gave our Care Leavers Band 1 priority on our housing register.

·                We provide specialist support to any Care Leavers facing homelessness without the use of B&B.

·                We guarantee Care Leavers first access to our apprenticeships.

·                We brought our Leaving Care service back in house and invested in a new home for the service- with trainer flats and emergency accommodation on site.

·                We increased “Staying Put” so that young people can stay with foster carers and invested alongside our housing partners to provide move on accommodation for young people who need independence.

 

However, we cannot be complacent, and we know that we can always do more.

 

We are determined that every decision made in this Council and every policy set here considers the impact on young people in care and those who have experienced the care system.

 

This motion proposes including “young people in care” and “care experienced young people” as an additional characteristic in all of our Equality Impact Assessments. This will give them a formal recognition and make sure that all decisions that are made and policies that are set consider their specific needs and the impact on them.

 

This will have a real tangible impact on people who have experienced care. We want to make it easier for young people to gain employment at the Council and to develop into senior roles – with guaranteed interview schemes, mentoring and support and reasonable adjustments made to support employees with care experience.

 

We also want to see our procurement and commissioning of our services to consider the impact on young people with care experience, in the same way as other protected and additional characteristics are and make extra effort to ensure that they can access all of our services.

 

The Government commissioned an independent national review of children’s social care, and one recommendation was to look at making care experience an additional  ...  view the full minutes text for item 70.

71.

Proceedings of the Executive pdf icon PDF 272 KB

To submit the minutes of the Executive on 22 July 2022 and 14 September 2022, and in particular to consider:

 

Exe/22/61        Capital Update Report

 

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

·                Neighbourhoods – Manchester Aquatic Centre. A capital budget virement of £2.930m is requested, funded by borrowing via the Inflation Budget and a further capital budget increase of £0.070m, funded by borrowing.

·                Neighbourhoods – Indoor Leisure – Abraham Moss. A capital budget virement of £1.4m is requested, funded by borrowing via the Inflation Budget.

·                Growth and Development – Hammerstone Road Depot. A capital budget virement of £2.320m is requested, funded by borrowing via the Inflation Budget and a further capital budget increase of £4.280m, funded by borrowing.

 

Exe/22/74        Capital Programme Update

 

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

 

·                ICT - Future Council Infrastructure Implementation – Hybrid Cloud Programme. A capital budget virement of £0.618m funded by Borrowing via the ICT Investment budget. A capital budget decrease of £2.661m is also requested and approval of a corresponding transfer of £2.661m to the revenue budget, funded by Capital Fund.

·                Public Sector Housing – Woodward Court external concrete repairs and Enveloping. A capital budget increase of £3.005m, funded by RCCO – HRA.

·                Public Sector Housing – Fire Risk Assessment Additional Work. A capital budget increase of £4.885m funded from by RCCO from the HRA.

 

Minutes:

The proceedings of the Executive on 22 July 2022 and 14 Septembre2022 were submitted. The Council was asked to give particular consideration to the following recommendations:-

 

Exe/22/61        Capital Update Report

 

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

 

·                Neighbourhoods – Manchester Aquatic Centre. A capital budget virement of £2.930m is requested, funded by borrowing via the Inflation Budget and a further capital budget increase of £0.070m, funded by borrowing.

 

·                Neighbourhoods – Indoor Leisure – Abraham Moss. A capital budget virement of £1.4m is requested, funded by borrowing via the Inflation Budget.

 

·                Growth and Development – Hammerstone Road Depot. A capital budget virement of £2.320m is requested, funded by borrowing via the Inflation Budget and a further capital budget increase of £4.280m, funded by borrowing.

 

Exe/22/74        Capital Programme Update

 

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

 

·                ICT - Future Council Infrastructure Implementation – Hybrid Cloud Programme. A capital budget virement of £0.618m funded by Borrowing via the ICT Investment budget. A capital budget decrease of £2.661m is also requested and approval of a corresponding transfer of £2.661m to the revenue budget, funded by Capital Fund.

 

·                Public Sector Housing – Woodward Court external concrete repairs and Enveloping. A capital budget increase of £3.005m, funded by RCCO – HRA.

 

·                Public Sector Housing – Fire Risk Assessment Additional Work. A capital budget increase of £4.885m funded from by RCCO from the HRA.

 

Decisions

 

The Council approves the following changes to the Council’s capital programme:-

 

·                Neighbourhoods – Manchester Aquatic Centre. A capital budget virement of £2.930m is requested, funded by borrowing via the Inflation Budget and a further capital budget increase of £0.070m, funded by borrowing.

 

·                Neighbourhoods – Indoor Leisure – Abraham Moss. A capital budget virement of £1.4m is requested, funded by borrowing via the Inflation Budget.

 

·                Growth and Development – Hammerstone Road Depot. A capital budget virement of £2.320m is requested, funded by borrowing via the Inflation Budget and a further capital budget increase of £4.280m, funded by borrowing.

 

·                ICT - Future Council Infrastructure Implementation – Hybrid Cloud Programme. A capital budget virement of £0.618m funded by Borrowing via the ICT Investment budget. A capital budget decrease of £2.661m is also requested and approval of a corresponding transfer of £2.661m to the revenue budget, funded by Capital Fund.

 

·                Public Sector Housing – Woodward Court external concrete repairs and Enveloping. A capital budget increase of £3.005m, funded by RCCO – HRA.

 

·                Public Sector Housing – Fire Risk Assessment Additional Work. A capital budget increase of £4.885m funded from by RCCO from the HRA.

72.

Questions to Executive Members and Others under Procedural Rule 23

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

 

Minutes:

Councillor Igbon responded to a question from Councillor Rowles regarding whether there was any funding available for alley gating schemes in Moss Side to combat the effects of fly tipping, dumped household rubbish and discarded commercial waste.

 

Councillor Igbon responded to a question from Councillor Flanagan regarding the construction start and completion dates of the long promised Scotland Hall Road Park play zone.

 

Councillor T Robinson responded to a question from Councillor Flanagan regarding the possibility of establishing a Miles Platting and Newton Heath Health Task Force, with the aim to tackle the existing health inequalities and provision of more GPs, Dentists and the long promised Health Centre.

 

Councillor Igbon responded to a question from Councillor Nunney regarding how was the decision made as to how frequently a road should be cleaned, referencing several roads in Woodhouse Park that in his opinion were not cleaned often enough.

 

Councillor Midgely responded to a question from Councillor Leech regarding whether the report that the Council commissioned from the private consultancy RedQuadrant to evaluate where the Council was going wrong in its approach to homelessness would be published in full.

 

Councillor Akbar responded to a question from Councillor Leech regarding what progress has been made on plans to upgrade and overhaul the Contact reporting system.

 

Councillor Igbon responded to a question from Councillor Leech regarding what action residents should take when travellers were attempting to access Council-owned sites out of normal working hours.

 

Councillor White responded to a question from Councillor Leech regarding how many shared ownership affordable homes were currently under construction in Manchester, or had been approved through the planning process, but had not begun on site.

 

Councillor White responded to a question from Councillor I Robinson regarding whether the Council was still committed to, and working on a solution to Grey Mare Lane, in regards to making good on the original plans that were proposed for the retrofit of all homes on the estate

 

Councillor Rawlins was not present to respond to the question from Councillor I Robinson. The Lord Mayor informed Councillor I Robinson that a written response would be provided to her question regarding the Eastlands resident parking scheme coming into effect. And whether there would be an outreach programme plan for residents who weren’t able to access the internet/app or didn’t feel confident in doing so. The supplementary question regarding communication on event passes would also be responded to in writing.

 

The Lord Mayor advised that a written response would be provided by Councillor Rawlins to a question from Councillor Good regarding, what the Council was doing to prevent the increasing number of car crashes in Ancoats.

 

Councillor Igbon responded to a question from Councillor Good regarding whether the order for 200 new waste bins across Manchester had been placed.

 

Councillor White responded to a question from Councillor Good regarding what progress had the Council made on seeking funding through Homes England, the GMCA Green Homes Grant funding, and other sources to help resolve the issue  ...  view the full minutes text for item 72.

73.

Scrutiny Committees pdf icon PDF 1 MB

To note the minutes of the following scrutiny committees:

 

Communities & Equalities – 19 July & 6 September 2022

Resources & Governance – 19 July & 6 September 2022

Health – 20 July & 7 September 2022

Children & Young People – 20 July & 7 September 2022

Environment & Climate Change – 21 July & 8 September 2022

Economy – 21 July & 8 September 2022

 

 

Minutes:

The minutes of the following Scrutiny Committee meetings were submitted:

 

·                Communities an Equalities – 19 July and 6 September 2022

·                Resources and Governance – 19 July and 6 September 2022

·                Health – 20 July and 7 September 2022

·                Children and Young People – 20 July and 7 September 2022

·                Environment and Climate Change – 21 July and 8 September 2022

·                Economy – 21 July and 8 September 2022

 

Decision

 

To receive those minutes submitted.

74.

Proceedings of Committees pdf icon PDF 254 KB

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

 

Audit – 26 July & 27 September 2022

Constitutional & Nomination – 5 October 2022 (to be tabled)

Licensing & Appeals - 26 September 2022

Planning & Highways – 28 July, 1 and 22 September 2022

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The minutes of the following meetings were submitted:

 

·                Audit – 26 July and 27 September 2022

·                Constitutional and Nomination – 5 October 2022

 

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

 

CN/22/16       Appointments to Council Committees

 

To recommend to Council to approve the amendments to committee memberships, as follows:

 

Committee

Member to be added

Member to be removed

Communities and Equalities SC

Councillor Sheikh

 

Environment and Climate Change SC

 

Councillor Sheikh

Health SC

 

Councillor McHale

Audit Committee

 

Councillor Flanagan

 

·                Licensing and Appeals - 26 September 2022

·                Planning and Highways – 28 July, 1 and 22 September 2022

 

Decisions

 

1.         To receive those minutes submitted.

 

2.         To approve the changes in appointments to Committees of the Council, as detailed above.