To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 10 October 2019.

Decision

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on the 5 September 2019 as a correct record.

Report of the Strategic Director (Development and Growth)

This report provides an update on the opportunities and challenges faced by Manchester as the city makes the transition to a zero carbon future. The report focuses on the implications for the city’s economic growth, and development in the context of Developing a More Inclusive Economy - Our Manchester Industrial Strategy and the ambition to be a zero carbon city by 2038 at the latest.

The report introduces some of the high level themes for the Committee to consider as part of their discussion workshop. A number of external experts have been invited to the meeting to contribute to the discussion with Members.

The Committee considered the opportunities and challenges faced by Manchester in delivering a Green Economy for the City’s economic growth and development in the context of the Local Industrial Strategy and the ambition as a City and region to be carbon neutral by 2030.  In doing so it welcomed the following guests, who had all been invited to contribute to the discussions due to their experience and expertise of working within various aspects of the Green Economy:-

·                Jonny Sadler, Programme Director, Manchester Climate Change Agency;

·                Robin Phillips, Principal, Siemens IoT Consulting;

·                Helen Boyle - Strategic Decarbonisation Manager, Electricity North West;

·                Emma Degg – Chief Executive - North West Business Leadership Team;

·                Simon Clouston, Technical Director, WSP;  

·                AmerGaffar, Director - Manchester Fuel Cell Innovation Centre, Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU); and

·                Amanda Reid, Founder - Circular Economy, MMU.

In addressing the Committee, the Programme Director, Manchester Climate Change Agency advised that through the proper integration of the City’s zero carbon and economic commitments, there was a real opportunity to not only over achieve targets but do so at a quicker rate.  He reported that although there was no city or country in the world that was zero carbon which Manchester could benchmark against, there was real opportunity for Manchester to be at the cutting edge of the carbon reduction agenda.  It was also explained there was a need to increase support provided to businesses at a City and Greater Manchester level in tackling carbon reduction and that there was a need to look at how the City used its procurement and spending power to work with suppliers to influence emissions that come from products or services used within the City but were created outside of the City.  He also advised that there was a need to have an honest conversation with central Government and the international community around aviation emissions in the UK and at Manchester Airport.

The Committee then received a short presentation from the Founder of the Circular Economy at MMU, on the Circular Economy and how the adoption of this approach could help Manchester and Greater Manchester achieve its carbon reduction targets.  In doing so she advised the Committee of the main principles of the Circular Economy.  It was explained that one of the benefits of adopting a Circular Economy approach would result in greater control of resource streams through the value chain which would aid carbon reduction targets

The Committee next heard from the Director of Manchester Fuel Cell Innovation Centre at MMU, who informed the Committee of the work that the Centre was undertaking in working with businesses in developing innovative ways of generating and using hydrogen fuel cells as an alternative, greener fuel source.  He reported that the Centre was also working with education providers to embed the understanding of clean energy with young people and developing the appropriate opportunities to deliver the necessary skills that would be required in delivering future hydrogen technologies. He also reported that the Centre had been  ...  view the full minutes text for item 49.

Report of the Governance and Scrutiny Support Unit

This report provides the Committee with details of key decisions that fall within the Committee’s remit and an update on actions resulting from the Committee’s recommendations. The report also includes the Committee’s work programme, which the Committee is asked to amend as appropriate and agree.

The Committee considered a report of the Governance and Scrutiny Support Unit which contained key decisions within the Committee’s remit and responses to previous recommendations was submitted for comment. Members were also invited to agree the Committee’s future work programme

Decision

The Committee:-

(1)       Notes the report;

(2)       Agrees the Work Programme as submitted