Agenda and minutes

Agenda and minutes

Council - Wednesday, 29th November, 2023 10.00 am

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

Contact: Andrew Woods 

Media

Items
No. Item

80.

The Lord Mayor's Announcements and Special Business - United Cross Party Call for peace in Israel and Palestine

Minutes:

The Lord Mayor invited the Leader of the Council to read out a united cross party statement calling for peace in Israel and Palestine, a sustained ceasefire on all sides, the release of all hostages, access for humanitarian aid and efforts to secure lasting peace.  The Lord Mayor then invited the leaders of each political group and Councillor Abdullatif, as joint signatories to the statement, to briefly address the meeting.

81.

The Lord Mayor's Announcements and Special Business - Death of Sir Bobby Charlton

Minutes:

The Lord Mayor invited those present at the meeting to observe a minute’s silence in memory of the recent and very sad passing of Sir Bobby Charlton which is been a great loss to thegame of football, Manchester and the nation. He is a true legend of the game and is greatly missed by all football fans. Sir Bobby Charlton had been made an Honorary Freeman of the City on 3 December 2008. 

82.

The Lord Mayor's Announcement and Special Business - former Councillor and Lord Mayor Patricia Conquest and former Councillor Keith Barnes

Minutes:

The Lord Mayor invited all those present to stand for a minute silence in memory of former Councillor and past Lord Mayor, Patricia Conquest and former Councillor, Keith Barnes.  Patricia Conquest served as a Councillor from May 1979 to May 1999 representing Miles Platting Ward and Central Ward.  She was Lord Mayor of Manchester between 1988 and 1989.  Keith Barnes was elected and served as Councillor for Brooklands between 1980 to 1982 and was later elected to serve Northenden Ward from 1982 to 1987.

83.

The Lord Mayor's Announcement and Special Business - launch of the Council's new Age Friendly Strategy - Manchester a City for Life 2023-2028

Minutes:

The Lord Mayor invited Councillor Thomas Robinson, Executive Member for Healthy Manchester and Adult Social Care to speak on the launch of the Council’s new Age Friendly Strategy. The Council viewed two short films and then heard from Elaine Unegbu (Chair, Age Friendly Manchester Older People’s Board) and Councillor Joan Davies (Lead Member for Age Friendly Manchester).

 

Following the presentation, the Lord Mayor invited questions from members.

 

The Lord Mayor thanked Elaine Unegbu and Councillors Davies and T Robinson for their informative and helpful presentation.

84.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 177 KB

To submit for approval the minutes of the meeting held on 4 October 2023.

Minutes:

The Minutes of the meeting held on 4 October 2023 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Lord Mayor.

85.

Notice of Motion - Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Awareness

Manchester is proud to be a trauma-informed city but we cannot support the majority of residents with trauma and break the cycle of adverse childhood experiences unless we are FASD and Neurobehaviourally informed too. 

 

FASD, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder is a hidden epidemic in Greater Manchester.  A Salford University study published in 2021 estimated that up to 4% of the population is likely to have FASD – that’s 2.5 times higher than autism.  The average life expectancy for individuals with FASD is only 34 years of age because they do not receive the interventions and support they need.  FASD is underdiagnosed and little understood by professionals and frontline workers.  There is an underserved stigma attached to it and often professionals, including medical, only learn about it as a very tiny part of their training.

 

FASD happens when a pregnant woman consumes alcohol.  Alcohol crosses the placenta and interferes with the development of the fetus, particularly the developing brain.  This has a significant impact on the executive brain function – the part responsible for organisation, self-regulation, working memory and flexible thinking.  It also results in some incredible strengths which, if a person with FASD is given support, may be developed and realised, such as creativity.

 

The mother is blameless and often a victim too – this is vital to note.  No mother knowingly damages her developing child – she drinks because she doesn’t know she is pregnant, doesn’t know the impact of alcohol or has an alcohol abuse disorder and cannot control her drinking.  We must remove the stigma.

 

FASD is a brain and body disability with lifelong impact and up to 400 comorbidities including Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), sensory issues including Sensory Processing Disorders (SPD), developmental trauma and secondary and tertiary conditions such as depression, anxiety, loneliness, poor academic outcomes, suicide, homelessness and criminality.   

 

Often individuals with FASD are diagnosed with an “alphabet soup” of labels to account for their behaviours but not FASD and internalise their problems leading to the secondary and tertiary conditions.  Where they receive support, it is not FASD or neurobehaviourally informed so the support fails or exacerbates their problems.

 

Any engagement with an individual with FASD must begin with the FASD regardless of their secondary and tertiary conditions including trauma. This means particularly supporting with challenges to executive brain function.

 

For example, individuals needing treatment for addictions need support to attend each appointment.  Those that have fallen into debt can’t be helped with a debt repayment plan unless the cause of the debt, the disability that means they need help with maths and organisation is addressed. Schools must work from a brain and nurture-based approach rather than behaviour change (rewards and sanctions).

 

In 2022, following campaigning by groups such as the FASD Alliance, NICE published Quality Standards on FASD and Greater Manchester CCG have acted on the majority of these to prevent alcohol drinking in pregnancy.  However, there is much to do in the areas of follow-up and in diagnosing  ...  view the full agenda text for item 85.

Minutes:

Councillor Alijah submitted the following motion, which was seconded by Councillor Doswell.

 

Manchester is proud to be a trauma-informed city but we cannot support the majority of residents with trauma and break the cycle of adverse childhood experiences unless we are FASD and Neurobehaviourally informed too. 

 

FASD, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder is a hidden epidemic in Greater Manchester.  A Salford University study published in 2021 estimated that up to 4% of the population is likely to have FASD – that’s 2.5 times higher than autism.  The average life expectancy for individuals with FASD is only 34 years of age because they do not receive the interventions and support they need.  FASD is underdiagnosed and little understood by professionals and frontline workers.  There is an underserved stigma attached to it and often professionals, including medical, only learn about it as a very tiny part of their training.

 

FASD happens when a pregnant woman consumes alcohol.  Alcohol crosses the placenta and interferes with the development of the fetus, particularly the developing brain.  This has a significant impact on the executive brain function – the part responsible for organisation, self-regulation, working memory and flexible thinking.  It also results in some incredible strengths which, if a person with FASD is given support, may be developed and realised, such as creativity.

 

The mother is blameless and often a victim too – this is vital to note.  No mother knowingly damages her developing child – she drinks because she doesn’t know she is pregnant, doesn’t know the impact of alcohol or has an alcohol abuse disorder and cannot control her drinking.  We must remove the stigma.

 

FASD is a brain and body disability with lifelong impact and up to 400 comorbidities including Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), sensory issues including Sensory Processing Disorders (SPD), developmental trauma and secondary and tertiary conditions such as depression, anxiety, loneliness, poor academic outcomes, suicide, homelessness and criminality.   

 

Often individuals with FASD are diagnosed with an “alphabet soup” of labels to account for their behaviours but not FASD and internalise their problems leading to the secondary and tertiary conditions.  Where they receive support, it is not FASD or neurobehaviourally informed so the support fails or exacerbates their problems.

 

Any engagement with an individual with FASD must begin with the FASD regardless of their secondary and tertiary conditions including trauma. This means particularly supporting with challenges to executive brain function.

 

For example, individuals needing treatment for addictions need support to attend each appointment.  Those that have fallen into debt can’t be helped with a debt repayment plan unless the cause of the debt, the disability that means they need help with maths and organisation is addressed. Schools must work from a brain and nurture-based approach rather than behaviour change (rewards and sanctions).

 

In 2022, following campaigning by groups such as the FASD Alliance, NICE published Quality Standards on FASD and Greater Manchester CCG have acted on the majority of these to prevent alcohol drinking in pregnancy.  However,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 85.

86.

Proceedings of the Executive pdf icon PDF 323 KB

To submit the minutes of the Executive on 4 and 18 October and 15 November 2023 and in particular to consider:

 

Exe/23/98 Capital Programme Monitoring (P6) and Update

 

The Executive Recommends that the Council approve the following changes to the Council’s capital programme:-

 

·                Children’s Services - Levenshulme High School for Girls – 2024 Expansion. A budget increase of £2.5m funded by borrowing

·                Children’s Services – Chorlton High School (CHS) South – 2024 Expansion. . A budget increase of £4.2m funded by borrowing

·                Growth and Development - Carbon Reduction Programme 2024-25. A budget increase of £0.5m funded by borrowing on a invest to save basis.

Minutes:

The proceedings of the Executive on 4 October, 18 October and 15 November 2023 were submitted. The Council was asked to give particular consideration to the following recommendations:

 

Exe/23/98 Capital Programme Monitoring (P6) and Update

 

The Executive Recommends that the Council approve the following changes to the Council’s capital programme:-

 

·                Children’s Services - Levenshulme High School for Girls – 2024 Expansion. A budget increase of £2.5m funded by borrowing

·                Children’s Services – Chorlton High School (CHS) South – 2024 Expansion. A budget increase of £4.2m funded by borrowing

·                Growth and Development - Carbon Reduction Programme 2024-25. A budget increase of £0.5m funded by borrowing on a invest to save basis.

 

Decisions

 

(1)       To receive the minutes of the Executive held on 4 October, 18 October and 15 November 2023.

 

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

 

·                Children’s Services - Levenshulme High School for Girls – 2024 Expansion. A budget increase of £2.5m funded by borrowing

·                Children’s Services – Chorlton High School (CHS) South – 2024 Expansion. A budget increase of £4.2m funded by borrowing

·                Growth and Development - Carbon Reduction Programme 2024-25. A budget increase of £0.5m funded by borrowing on a invest to save basis.

 

87.

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 White responded to a question from Councillor Taylor regarding announcement of the successful Levelling Up bid for Wythenshawe's Civic Centre.

 

Councillor T Robinson responded to a question from Councillor Lyons regarding what measures the Council was currently undertaking to support the delivery of sexual health services, particularly in relation to PreP, across the city.

 

Councillor Rawlins responded to a question from Councillor Nunney regarding what was being done to maintain or improve the existing infrastructure to stop roads flooding whenever there was persistent or heavy rain.

 

Councillor Akbar responded to a question from Councillor Leech regarding what assessment had been made of the impact of the Autumn statement on future revenue for Manchester to spend on vital local services.

 

Councillor Rawlins responded to a question from Councillor Leech regarding what was considered to be a reasonable length of time for street light repairs to be completed.

 

Councillor White responded to a question from Councillor Leech regarding how many previous complaints from families housed in an uninhabitable home, rife with damp and mould, had been reviewed, how many of these complaints were being dealt with, and repairs carried out, to avoid further complaints being submitted to the Housing Ombudsman.

 

In the absence of Councillor Igbon to provide a response to a question from Councillor Leech for an update on the progress made so far with the leaf removal programme, the Lord Mayor advised that a written response would be forwarded to the councillor.

 

Councillor Midgely responded to a question from Councillor Good regarding prompt access safe temporary accommodation for those who were homeless within the city.

 

In the absence of Councillor Igbon to provide a response to a question from Councillor Good regarding what the Council was doing to improve fly-tipping in Manchester, the Lord Mayor advised that a written response would be forwarded to the councillor.

 

Councillor White responded to a question from Councillor Good regarding an update on the Grey Mare Lane Regeneration Steering Group.

 

Councillor Rawlins responded to a question from Councillor Good regarding why the Council had refused to fund the works to fix the drainage issues on Purslow Close in Beswick.

 

Councillor Rawlins responded to a question from Councillor Good regarding when the Ancoats Residents' Parking Scheme would be implemented.

Councillor Rahman responded to a question from Councillor Good regarding how many CCTV cameras operated by the Council were currently non-functional or in a state of disrepair.

 

Councillor White responded to a question from Councillor Good regarding what the £32m public investment into Ancoats Green was going towards.

 

Councillor White responded to a question from Councillor Good regarding an update on the Central Retail Park Strategic Regeneration Framework.

 

Councillor White responded to a question from Councillor Northwood regarding whether consideration would be given to reducing ground rent on council-owned residential freeholds to a peppercorn.

 

Councillor Midgely responded to a question from Councillor Northwood regarding what her understanding of allyship was.

 

In the absence of Councillor Igbon to provide a response to a question from  ...  view the full minutes text for item 87.

88.

Scrutiny Committees pdf icon PDF 1 MB

To note the minutes of the following committees:

 

·                Economy & Regeneration –16 October & 7 November 2023

·                Communities & Equalities – 10 October & 7 November 2023

·                Children & Young People – 13 October & 8 November 2023

·                Health – 11 October & 8 November 2023

·                Resources & Governance – 12 October & 9 November 2023

·                Environment, Climate Change & Neighbourhoods – 12 October & 9 November 2023

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The minutes of the following Scrutiny Committee meetings were submitted:

 

·                Economy and Regeneration –16 October and 7 November 2023

·                Communities and Equalities – 10 October and 7 November 2023

·                Children and Young People – 13 October and 8 November 2023

·                Health – 11 October and 8 November 2023

·                Resources and Governance – 12 October and 9 November 2023

·                Environment, Climate Change and Neighbourhoods – 12 October and 9 November 2023

 

Decision

 

To receive those minutes submitted.

89.

Proceedings of Committees pdf icon PDF 525 KB

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

 

·                Planning and Highways Committee – 19 October and 16 November 2023

·                Health and Wellbeing Board – 1 November 2023

·                Standards Committee – 2 November 2023, and in particular, to

·                consider:

 

ST/23/17     Member Code of Conduct

 

To recommend to full Council that the Council retain its current Code of Conduct for Members.

 

ST/23/21     Review of the Operation and Efficacy including a proposed amendment of the Arrangements for dealing with Code of Conduct complaints against Members

 

Recommend to full Council the Arrangements as amended.

 

·                Licensing Committee –  23 October and 13 November 2023

·                Licensing and Appeals Committee – 23 October 2023

·                Licensing Policy Committee – 31 October and 20 November 2023, and in particular, to consider:

 

LPC/23/04  Statement of Licensing Policy 2023 - 2028

 

To recommend to full Council to approve the Statement of Licensing Policy 2023  - 2028 policy for publication. 

 

A copy of the Statement of Policy 2023-2028 report is attached for information.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The minutes of the following meetings were submitted:

 

·                Planning and Highways Committee – 19 October and 16 November 2023

·                Health and Wellbeing Board – 1 November 2023

·                Standards Committee – 2 November 2023

 

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

 

ST/23/17        Member Code of Conduct

 

To recommend to full Council that the Council retain its current Code of Conduct for Members.

 

ST/23/21        Review of the Operation and Efficacy including a proposed amendment of the Arrangements for dealing with Code of Conduct complaints against Members

 

Recommend to full Council the Arrangements as amended.

 

·                Licensing Committee –  23 October and 13 November 2023

·                Licensing and Appeals Committee – 23 October 2023

·                Licensing Policy Committee – 31 October and 20 November 2023

 

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

 

LPC/23/04     Statement of Licensing Policy 2023 - 2028

 

To recommend to full Council to approve the Statement of Licensing Policy 2023 - 2028 policy for publication. A copy of the policy was submitted.

 

Decisions

 

(1)      To receive those minutes listed.

 

(2)      To approve the retention its current Code of Conduct for Members.

 

(3)      To approve, the arrangements, as amended, for dealing with Code of Conduct complaints against Members.

 

(4)      To approve the Statement of Licensing Policy 2023 – 2028 for publication.