The Lord Mayor welcomed Greater Manchester’s Mayor, Andy Burnam to address the Council to provide an update on the expansion of the Manchester Bee Network.

Mr Burnam referred to the recent reregulation of bus services and the improvements in south Manchester in January 2025. New services will include an integrated payment system on 24 February as part of the first tranche of changes to public transport services.

The vision for Manchester is for a modern, affordable transport system to serve its residents and in doing so reduce the number of car journeys. The pricing system will provide flexible ticketing to allow users to take more than one journey with a single ticket. The development of the service across the north city is also improving with a noticeably higher level of reliability than the previous deregulated service. An increase in the number of buses in north Manchester paired with improvements to road markings has improved bus vehicle movement. A Manchester review of services will give residents and elected members an opportunity to input on current services to provide balance, increase efficiency and improve frequency of services where it is needed. Following agreement with rail services, there will be the introduction of new eight Manchester commuter rail lines by 2028. The three tranches for service improvements are set to be completed between 2026-2028 and will offer Manchester residents a much superior public transport offer than exists currently.

In responding to the update, the Leader of the Council welcomed the planned developments and the commitment of the GM Mayor to improve Manchester’s public transport and address the impact of decades of service decline through the reregulation of services. The meeting was informed that the Council’s appointed members of the Bee Network Committee will provide robust input for the reintroduction and improvement of services across the city.     

The Lord Mayor thanked Andy Burnam for his attendance and update on the Manchester Bee Network.

(Councillor Johns declared a personal interest.)

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

The Lord Mayor welcomed Tom Stannard, the new Chief Executive to the meeting and wished him every success in his new role.

The Chief Executive addressed the Council and welcomed the opportunity to lead develop and improve the Councils services over the coming years.

The Lord Mayor informed the Council that he had written to the following people, who are either Mancunians or live or work in the city, to recognise and congratulate them on the honour they have received, as stated in the Kings New Year’s Honours list:

• An Officer of the Order of the British Empire:

            Dr Tobias Simpson

            Christine Cort

            Ian Cosh

            Professor Yaojun Li

            Dr Eamonn O’Neal

• Member of the Order of the British Empire:

            Professor Bamidele Adebisi

            Jo Ahmed

            Frank Galvin

            Joan Todd

• Medalist of the Order of the British Empire

            Brian Johnson

• King’s Ambulance Service Medal for distinguished service:

            Lisa Ward

The Lord Mayor invited those present to observe a minute’s silence in memory of former councillor and Honorary Alderman Hugh Barrett. Hugh Barrett is one of Manchester’s longest serving councillors. He served over 50 years between 1968 to 2019 representing Ardwick and Sharston wards respectively. Hugh Barrett served as Manchester’s Lord Mayor in 2000/2001 and was admitted as Honorary Alderman in October 2019.

To submit for approval the minutes of the meeting held on 27 November 2024.

The minutes of the meetings held on 27 November 2024 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Lord Mayor.

Councillor Simcock provided an update on the minutes of the Council held on 29October concerning the closure of Didsbury and Harpurhey post offices (CC/24/92).

Councillor Wiest proposed a motion without notice to suspend council rules (Council Procedure Rule 19 (k), to propose a motion to support Capita workers.

The City Solicitor explained that the Motion without Notice request would suspend the Council Procedure rules to allow a motion to be moved.

The Leader of the Council requested the City Solicitor’s view on the subject proposed and if this was considered to be an emergency. The Leader of the Council stated that the issue of Capita workers has been known to members of the Council for a considerable time and for that reason, the request could not be considered an emergency.

The City Solicitor stated that the Council Constitution did not provide an explanation of an emergency, however as the subject of the motion was known about prior to the deadline for submission of a notice of motion (12noon on Monday 27 January 2025), it could not be considered an emergency.   

The Lord Mayor then invited the Council vote by acclamation on the notice without motion to suspend council procedure.

The Lord Mayor declared the motion without notice to suspend council procedure lost.

This Council notes:-

?                    The important role local assets play in thriving communities;

?                    That these assets can take various forms and can range from community centres and pubs to cinemas and music venues;

?                    That there are thousands of Assets of Community Value (ACVs) listed throughout the UK, with six live ACVs currently listed in Manchester;

?                    That the Council has a Community Asset Transfer Policy, enabling the positive transfer of assets, including community and leisure facilities, to community groups, allowing them to continue to operate and provide a vital service to those communities;

?                    That there are currently 35 community interest transfers in place, with a number of others in the pipeline;

?                    That during 14 years of Tory economic mismanagement, the sad decline of the British high street paired with the UK’s stunted economic growth left our communities hollowed out of the assets that we all find important. Many vital assets have been left empty and vacant, ultimately becoming an eyesore to local communities.

?                    That despite the damaging impact of Tory austerity, the Council has worked proactively with communities across the city, to help revitalise district centres, and has supported those communities in saving and breathing new life into once-forgotten venues.

This Council welcomes:-

?                    The Labour Government’s plans to introduce a Community Right to Buy, alongside a commitment to strengthen the powers available to communities including:

·            A first refusal on a wider range of assets of community value, and; 

·            Doubling the time period for communities to raise finance to buy ACVs from six months to twelve.

?                    The Labour Government’s introduction of High Street Rental Auctions (HSRAs), along with funding to support these. HSRAs will allow local authorities to tackle persistently vacant properties in our city and district centres by putting the leases up for auction. 

This Council believes these initiatives will help boost the high street through a ‘right to rent’ commercial lots for businesses and community groups. They will also stop landlords from sitting on empty properties for more than 365 days in a 24-month period, before councils can step in and auction on a one-to-five year lease. In the long-term, bringing assets into community ownership will create jobs for local people and boost trade by bringing businesses, community services and customers back to our high streets.

This Council resolves to:-

(1)            Support community groups interested in acquiring an asset with connections to local and national funders as well as infrastructure support;

(2)            Recommend that the Executive ensure the ACV application process is simplified and made as accessible as possible, insofar as the legislative requirements applying to ACVs will allow this.;

(3)            Promote ACVs and Community Right to Buy;

(4)            Use the new tool of HSRAs to help communities take back control of their local assets and ensure these thrive under community ownership;

(5)            Continue to support community groups across the city to run assets and deliver vital support to communities;

(6)            Celebrate the success stories of ACVs in our communities.

Proposed by Councillor Wills, seconded by Councillor Johns and supported by  ...  view the full agenda text for item 107.

Councillor Wills submitted the following motion which was seconded by Councillor Johns.

This Council notes:-

?        The important role local assets play in thriving communities;

?        That these assets can take various forms and can range from community centres and pubs to cinemas and music venues;

?        That there are thousands of Assets of Community Value (ACVs) listed throughout the UK, with six live ACVs currently listed in Manchester;

?        That the Council has a Community Asset Transfer Policy, enabling the positive transfer of assets, including community and leisure facilities, to community groups, allowing them to continue to operate and provide a vital service to those communities;

?        That there are currently 35 community interest transfers in place, with a number of others in the pipeline;

?        That during 14 years of Tory economic mismanagement, the sad decline of the British high street paired with the UK’s stunted economic growth left our communities hollowed out of the assets that we all find important. Many vital assets have been left empty and vacant, ultimately becoming an eyesore to local communities.

?        That despite the damaging impact of Tory austerity, the Council has worked proactively with communities across the city, to help revitalise district centres, and has supported those communities in saving and breathing new life into once-forgotten venues.

This Council welcomes:-

?        The Labour Government’s plans to introduce a Community Right to Buy, alongside a commitment to strengthen the powers available to communities including:

·       A first refusal on a wider range of assets of community value, and; 

·       Doubling the time period for communities to raise finance to buy ACVs from six months to twelve.

?        The Labour Government’s introduction of High Street Rental Auctions (HSRAs), along with funding to support these. HSRAs will allow local authorities to tackle persistently vacant properties in our city and district centres by putting the leases up for auction. 

This Council believes these initiatives will help boost the high street through a ‘right to rent’ commercial lots for businesses and community groups. They will also stop landlords from sitting on empty properties for more than 365 days in a 24-month period, before councils can step in and auction on a one-to-five year lease. In the long-term, bringing assets into community ownership will create jobs for local people and boost trade by bringing businesses, community services and customers back to our high streets.

This Council resolves to:-

(1)   Support community groups interested in acquiring an asset with connections to local and national funders as well as infrastructure support;

(2)   Recommend that the Executive ensure the ACV application process is simplified and made as accessible as possible, insofar as the legislative requirements applying to ACVs will allow this.;

(3)   Promote ACVs and Community Right to Buy;

(4)   Use the new tool of HSRAs to help communities take back control of their local assets and ensure these thrive under community ownership;

(5)   Continue to support community groups across the city to run assets and deliver vital support to communities;

(6)   Celebrate the success stories of ACVs in our  ...  view the full minutes text for item 107.

We welcome that one of Manchester City council’s biggest priorities is building the homes that Manchester people need. For too many Mancunians, a safe, affordable place to call home remains out of reach after a 14 years of Government policy that restricted the building of council and social housing

We further note that:

·                In 2022 this Council set an ambitious new housing strategy to deliver at least 10,000 genuinely affordable, Council and Social Rent new homes.

·                Manchester’s Labour council is on track to deliver this ambitious target- with 603 affordable homes were built in 2023/2024 with 1,895 affordable homes being built as we speak and a further 1,500 with planning permission. This represents the biggest genuinely affordable homes programme this city has seen in over 15 years.

·                Manchester’s Labour Council has been able to maximise delivery of affordable housing because it has been creative and innovative in finding opportunities to deliver affordable homes:

·                This City – the Councils Housing Delivery vehicle- which takes on some of the most ambitious sites in the city, starting with Ancoats and the North Quarter- showing to the market that it can be done!

·                Project 500 – using small plots of council owned land to work with housing providers to deliver social homes right across the city

·                Using Council land to build affordable homes, and we welcome the announcement of another 700 homes at Januarys Executive.

·                Ground breaking regeneration schemes, such as the North Manchester Strategy delivering one of the country’s biggest urban regeneration and house building schemes in the country, the ambitious Wythenshawe Town Centre Regeneration, and other emerging plans like Holt Town - using partnerships to unlock local regeneration.

This Council welcomes:

·                The introduction of the Manchester Living Rent with This City homes and that registered providers are now using for their affordable rent properties, capped at or below levels of local housing allowance in Manchester.

·                The Labour Government’s ambitious plans to tackle the housing crisis and build 1.5 million homes over the next 5 years.

·                The Labour Government’s investment into and reform of the planning system to help speed up housing delivery.

·                The Chancellor’s immediate cash injection of £500m into the Affordable Homes Programme, helping to build up to 5,000 new social and affordable homes.

This Council resolves:-

(1)            To remain at the forefront of social and affordable housing delivery and work in partnership with the new Government to put Manchester front and centre of the government’s ambitious plans to build the homes this country needs

(2)            Through the CSR and in meetings with minister, lobby the Government on a range of issue to help fix the national housing crisis here in Manchester:

(3)            To call for more funding from Homes England for social housing in Manchester

(4)            To call for more brownfield funding to unlock the land we have to deliver affordable home

(5)            To work with Greater Manchester on genuine place-based regeneration that builds affordable homes, and much needed public services like schools and GPs.

(6)            To support communities who  ...  view the full agenda text for item 108.

Councillor Richards submitted the following motion which was seconded by Councillor Irene Robinson.

We welcome that one of Manchester City council’s biggest priorities is building the homes that Manchester people need. For too many Mancunians, a safe, affordable place to call home remains out of reach after a 14 years of Government policy that restricted the building of council and social housing

We further note that:

• In 2022 this Council set an ambitious new housing strategy to deliver at least 10,000 genuinely affordable, Council and Social Rent new homes.

• Manchester’s Labour council is on track to deliver this ambitious target- with 603 affordable homes were built in 2023/2024 with 1,895 affordable homes being built as we speak and a further 1,500 with planning permission. This represents the biggest genuinely affordable homes programme this city has seen in over 15 years.

• Manchester’s Labour Council has been able to maximise delivery of affordable housing because it has been creative and innovative in finding opportunities to deliver affordable homes:

• This City – the Councils Housing Delivery vehicle- which takes on some of the most ambitious sites in the city, starting with Ancoats and the North Quarter- showing to the market that it can be done!

• Project 500 – using small plots of council owned land to work with housing providers to deliver social homes right across the city

• Using Council land to build affordable homes, and we welcome the announcement of another 700 homes at Januarys Executive.

• Ground breaking regeneration schemes, such as the North Manchester Strategy delivering one of the country’s biggest urban regeneration and house building schemes in the country, the ambitious Wythenshawe Town Centre Regeneration, and other emerging plans like Holt Town - using partnerships to unlock local regeneration.

This Council welcomes:

• The introduction of the Manchester Living Rent with This City homes and that registered providers are now using for their affordable rent properties, capped at or below levels of local housing allowance in Manchester.

• The Labour Government’s ambitious plans to tackle the housing crisis and build 1.5 million homes over the next 5 years.

• The Labour Government’s investment into and reform of the planning system to help speed up housing delivery.

• The Chancellor’s immediate cash injection of £500m into the Affordable Homes Programme, helping to build up to 5,000 new social and affordable homes.

This Council resolves:-

(1)   To remain at the forefront of social and affordable housing delivery and work in partnership with the new Government to put Manchester front and centre of the government’s ambitious plans to build the homes this country needs

(2)   Through the CSR and in meetings with minister, lobby the Government on a range of issue to help fix the national housing crisis here in Manchester:

(3)   To call for more funding from Homes England for social housing in Manchester

(4)   To call for more brownfield funding to unlock the land we have to deliver affordable home

(5)   To work with Greater Manchester on genuine place-based regeneration that builds affordable homes, and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 108.

This Council:-

·                Expresses its thanks to everyone involved in the response to the New Years’ Day floods, including the emergency services, businesses, council officers and members of the community.

·                Place on record its thanks to Didsbury Mosque, its trustees and volunteers who provided shelter to over 450 people evacuated from properties in West Didsbury.

·                Recognises the efforts and commitment shown by Tracey Pook, the Community Officer at Didsbury Mosque.

·                Identifies the role that climate change is having on Manchester and the increase in the regularity of severe weather events.

·                Welcomes the efforts currently underway by the council to assist the Environment Agency to complete temporary fixes on the banks of the river Mersey in five locations where the bank of the river collapsed.

·                Affirms this council's commitment to continuing to work with the Environment Agency and other agencies to secure funding for the necessary improvements.

This Council notes:-

·                Residents are increasingly concerned about the frequency of flooding events and for the safety of their properties.

·                That after flooding events in 2021, 2023 and now 2025, the Environment Agency assessment that flooding of properties in south Manchester required a one in one-hundred years weather event is no longer accurate.

This Council believes:-

·                All residents have the right to feel safe in their own home.

·                That when flood events happen the recovery response should be as important as the emergency response.

This Council resolves to:-

(1)            Work with agencies and contractors to aid in the recovery of properties, council assets and environment damaged by the floods.

(2)            Instructs the Chief Executive to write to the Environment Agency to request that the one in one hundred weather event probability calculations for South Manchester is assessed as a matter of urgency.

(3)            Urge the Environment Agency’s update of the Mersey Flooding strategy started in 2021 is expedited as a matter of urgency.

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

Councillor Kilpatrick submitted the following motion which was seconded by Councillor Leech

This Council:-

• Expresses its thanks to everyone involved in the response to the New Years’ Day floods, including the emergency services, businesses, council officers and members of the community.

• Place on record its thanks to Didsbury Mosque, its trustees and volunteers who provided shelter to over 450 people evacuated from properties in West Didsbury.

• Recognises the efforts and commitment shown by Tracey Pook, the Community Officer at Didsbury Mosque.

• Identifies the role that climate change is having on Manchester and the increase in the regularity of severe weather events.

• Welcomes the efforts currently underway by the council to assist the Environment Agency to complete temporary fixes on the banks of the river Mersey in five locations where the bank of the river collapsed.

• Affirms this council's commitment to continuing to work with the Environment Agency and other agencies to secure funding for the necessary improvements.

This Council notes:-

• Residents are increasingly concerned about the frequency of flooding events and for the safety of their properties.

• That after flooding events in 2021, 2023 and now 2025, the Environment Agency assessment that flooding of properties in south Manchester required a one in one-hundred years weather event is no longer accurate.

This Council believes:-

• All residents have the right to feel safe in their own home.

• That when flood events happen the recovery response should be as important as the emergency response.

This Council resolves to:-

• Work with agencies and contractors to aid in the recovery of properties, council assets and environment damaged by the floods.

• Instructs the Chief Executive to write to the Environment Agency to request that the one in one hundred weather event probability calculations for South Manchester is assessed as a matter of urgency.

• Urge the Environment Agency’s update of the Mersey Flooding strategy started in 2021 is expedited as a matter of urgency.

The Lord Mayor informed Council that Councillor Kilpatrick had accepted the amendment submitted by Councillor Simcock and seconded by Councillor Hilal prior to the meeting, and that it now formed part of the substantive motion.

The amended version is as follows:

This Council:-

• Expresses its thanks to everyone involved in the response to the New Years’ Day floods, including the emergency services, businesses, council officers and members of the community.

• Place on record its thanks to Didsbury Mosque, its trustees and volunteers who provided shelter to over 450 people evacuated from properties in West Didsbury.

• Recognises the efforts and commitment shown by Tracey Pook, the Community Officer at Didsbury Mosque.

• Identifies the role that climate change is having on Manchester and the increase in the regularity of severe weather events.

• Welcomes the efforts currently underway by the council to assist the Environment Agency to complete temporary fixes on the banks of the river Mersey in five locations where the bank of the river collapsed.

• Affirms this council's commitment to continuing to work with the Environment Agency and other agencies to secure funding for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 109.

To submit the minutes of the Executive on 22 January 20025.

The proceedings of the Executive on 22 January 2025 were submitted.

Decision

To receive the minutes submitted.

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

Councillor Igbon responded to a question from Councillor Nunney regarding the responsibility for removal of fly-tipping from waterways in parks.

Councillor Rawlins was not present to respond to responded to a question from Councillor Nunney regarding the procedure for the removal of slippery leaves and sludge from footpaths following flooding. A written response would be provided to Councillor Nunney.

Councillor Rawlins was not present to respond to responded to a question from Councillor Nunney regarding the printing of car parking tickets that does not contradict signage. A written response would be provided to Councillor Nunney.

Councillor Craig responded to a question from Councillor Northwood regarding the Council’s assessment of using alternative social media platforms such as Bluesky or Mastodon to make information available to residents?

Councillor Craig responded to a question from Councillor Wiest regarding Greater Manchester Investment Fund and a response to proposed divestment.

Councillor Bridges responded to a question from Councillor Leech regarding the replacement of Bailey Bridge completion.

Councillor Igbon responded to a question form Councillor Leech on the approximate cost of exchanging all the existing bins across the City and replacing old with new.

Councillor Rawlins was not present to respond to a question from Councillor Leech regarding membership of the Manchester Council Transport Bee Committee. A written response would be provided to Councillor Leech

Councillor Akbar was not present to respond to a question from Councillor Good regarding the number of residents in Manchester is the council aware will be invited to migrate from legacy benefits to Universal Credit.

Councillor Igbon responded to a question form Councillor Kilpatrick regarding the length of time it takes to undertake road cleaning requests.

Councillor Rawlins was not present to respond to a question from Councillor Kilpatrick regarding the time it takes from a maintenance team reporting a broken drain to the repair being completed. A written response would be provided to Councillor Kilpatrick.

To note the minutes of the following committees:

·            Economy & Regeneration – 3 December 2024 and 14 January 2025

·            Communities & Equalities – 3 December 2024 and 14 January 2025

·            Children & Young People – 4 December 2024 and 15 January 2025

·            Health – 4 December 2024 and 15 January 2025

·            Resources and Governance – 5 December 2024 and 16 January 2025

·            Environment, Climate Change & Neighbourhoods – 5 December 2024 and 16 January 2025

The minutes of the following Scrutiny Committee meetings were submitted:

·       Economy & Regeneration – 3 December 2024 and 14 January 2025

·       Communities & Equalities – 3 December 2024 and 14 January 2025

·       Children & Young People – 4 December 2024 and 15 January 2025

·       Health – 4 December 2024 and 15 January 2025

·       Resources and Governance – 5 December 2024 and 16 January 2025

·       Environment, Climate Change & Neighbourhoods – 5 December 2024 and 16 January 2025

Decision

To receive those minutes submitted.

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

·            Audit Committee – 26 November 2024

·            Planning and Highways Committee – 21 November, 19 December 2024 and 23 January 2025

·            Health and Wellbeing Board – 29 January 2025

The minutes of the following meetings were submitted:

• Audit Committee – 26 November 2024
• Planning and Highways Committee – 21 November 19 December 2024 and 23 January 2025
• Health and Wellbeing Board – 29 January 2025

Decision

To receive those minutes submitted.