To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 10 February 2022.

Decision

The minutes of the meeting held on 10 February 2022 were approved as a correct record.

Report of the Director of City Centre Growth and Infrastructure attached

This report provides an update on the role of Manchester Airport in the economy of the city; the current economic situation of the Airport following the impact of COVID-19; and the next steps in the economic future for the Airport.

The Committee considered the report of the Director of City Centre Growth and Infrastructure that provided an update on the role of Manchester Airport in the economy of the city; the current economic situation of the Airport following the impact of COVID-19; and the next steps in the economic future for the Airport.

Key points and themes of the report included:-

·                Describing the position of Manchester Airport in the local economy;

·                Current economic situation of Manchester Airport;

·                Employment, recruitment, and training opportunities at the Airport;

·                An update on Airport City, an Enterprise Zone with the capability to provide 5 million sq. ft. of offices, hotels, advanced manufacturing, logistics facilities and retail space;

·                Airport future challenges and opportunities.

Further to the report the Committee also received a presentation from the Manchester Airports Group (MAG).

Key points and themes of the presentation included:-

·                Describing the impact of COVID on MAG traffic;

·                Financial performance pre-COVID;

·                Financial estimates, COVID and recovery period;

·                Passenger recovery data;

·                Focus areas for 2022;

·                An update on the Manchester Transformation Programme;

·                Opportunities for Greater Manchester, including the Airport Academy and the support to local communities; and

·                The path to Net Zero Aviation.

The Chair read from a prepared statement from Councillor Nunney, Ward Councillor for Woodhouse Park who had been invited to the meeting but was unable to attend. His statement referred to the issues experienced by local residents that related to inconsiderate parking and associated litter, the loss of green space and poor air quality associated with both vehicles and aircraft.

The Committee then heard from Councillor Newman, Ward Councillor for Woodhouse Park who addressed the meeting on behalf of himself and his fellow ward Councillor, Councillor Sarah Judge. Whilst acknowledging the positive economic benefits that the airport brought to the area he also spoke of the adverse impacts that were frequently experienced by local residents. Councillor Newman spoke of the inconsiderate and anti-social car parking practices on the public highway, both by individuals attending the airport, taxi drivers and rogue car parking firms operating in the area. He further referred to issues of speeding and noise from vehicles and the use of ‘rat runs’ that further contributed to poor air quality experienced by local residents. He stated that local elected Members had successfully lobbied the airport to introduce measures to mitigate the impacts described, making reference to a resident parking scheme and localised traffic calming measures and he paid tribute to the positive engagement experienced when liaising with the management team at the airport.

He further made reference to the positive community engagement programmes that the airport had delivered over the previous years that had benefited both local older residents and school children. He further called for the need to ensure that the training and employment opportunities associated with the site benefited the local population and consideration needed to be given as to where recruitment events took place to ensure local residents benefited from these opportunities. He stated that public transport links needed to be improved to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

Report of the Strategic Director (Growth & Development) attached

Following an extensive period of review and agreement by social landlords and by the Council’s Executive Committee, Manchester’s current statutory social housing allocations scheme was implemented in November 2020. In addition to the planned full evaluation after 24 months, it was agreed that an interim evaluation should be undertaken after 12 months.

The Committee considered the report of the Strategic Director, Growth & Development that provided an update on the Housing Allocations Policy Review.

Key points and themes of the report included:-

·                Manchester’s current statutory social housing allocations scheme was implemented in November 2020;

·                In addition to the planned full evaluation after 24 months, it was agreed that an interim evaluation should be undertaken after 12 months;

·                An overview of the scheme evaluation and analysis; and

·                Noting the impact of COVID-19, the evidence to date was that the scheme was working as intended with no unexpected outcomes.

Some of the key points that arose from the Committees discussions were:-

·                Did all of the Registered Providers in Manchester apply the same policy when allocating properties, noting that this needed to be consistent and equitable;

·                What was the approach to dealing with repairs during the pandemic;

·                Comparative figures would be informative in future reports;

·                What was the criteria for residents wishing to secure a property in a neighbouring authority and did neighbouring authorities have the same or similar letting policies to Manchester;

·                What was the approach to housing refugee’s and asylum seekers. 

The Director, Housing and Residential Growth informed the Members that the issue of outstanding repairs due to the pandemic was a national issue, commenting that only emergency repairs had been undertaken during that time. He commented that this situation was beginning to normalise and plans were developed to deal with the back log, noting that the impact on void property turnaround times was understood.

Officers informed the Committee that all Registered Housing Providers have similar policies and applied the same choice-based lettings system, noting that the vast majority of lettings are to those residents in Bands 1 and 2. Officers stated that the demand on the service far outweighed the supply of available appropriately sized properties, and the turnover of properties was low, adding that the notion of low demand in Manchester was not true. Officers further advised that Manchester applied a two year residency criteria, adding that neighbouring authorities would have similar criteria, commenting that this made it difficult for residents to secure properties in other boroughs. The Chair asked that the residency criteria for all neighbouring boroughs be circulated to Members for information.  

The Director, Housing and Residential Growth stated that there was ongoing collaboration and dialogue with all Registered Provers in the city via the Housing Access Board, adding that there was also a regular audit of lettings undertaken to provide an assurance that the correct process and priorities were applied.

The Executive Member for Housing and Employment stated that he was confident that the scheme was working as intended, noting that priority was given to supporting the most vulnerable in the city, including the homeless and those victims of domestic violence. He described that demand for housing still outweighed supply and the city required more affordable housing and social housing. He stated that work was ongoing to respond to this demand and the Housing Strategy would be submitted to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.

Report of the Strategic Director (Growth and Development)

This report informs the Executive about the deposit of the HS2 hybrid Bill in Parliament on 24^th January 2022; the public consultations on the Environmental Statement (ES) and Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA) for the Bill; and outlines the Council’s proposed response to these consultations. The report further outlines the key areas on which the Council is proposing to petition against the hybrid Bill, subject to the approval of Council on 4^th March to submit a petition. 

The Committee were invited to considered and comment on the report of the Strategic Director (Growth and Development) that informed the Executive about the deposit of the HS2 hybrid Bill in Parliament on 24 January 2022; the public consultations on the Environmental Statement (ES) and Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA) for the Bill; and outlined the Council’s proposed response to these consultations. The report further outlined the key areas on which the Council was proposing to petition against the hybrid Bill, subject to the approval of Council on 4 March to submit a petition. 

Key points and themes of the report included:-

·                An introduction and background to the HS2 Crewe-Manchester hybrid Bill;

·                HS2 Crewe-Manchester hybrid Bill Environmental Statement;

·                Describing the key themes and issues identified;

·                Immediate next steps;

·                Next steps on the wider HS2 programme; and

·                Conclusion.

Some of the key points that arose from the Committee’s discussions were:-

·                Supporting the ambitions of HS2 to deliver wider connectivity with the North, however calling for the Government’s immediate attention to, and due consideration given to the concerns raised by Manchester;

·                Supporting the call for an underground, through platform at Piccadilly train station to accommodate HS2 and meet the capacity needs;

·                Noting that the proposals offered to Manchester would not be acceptable in London;

·                The current HS2 proposals were contrary to the many ambitions and policies that city had to address issues such as improving active travel; addressing carbon emissions; protecting the heritage of the city and supporting biodiversity;

·                Further detailed information was required from HS2 on the mitigation proposed to protect Northenden and Didsbury from flooding following the installation of the Withington Golf Club vent shaft;

·                The proposed vent at Fallowfield Retail Park, Birchfield Road would adversely impact local residents; and

·                The consultation events delivered by HS2 had not been satisfactory.

The Director of City Centre Growth and Infrastructure commented that all of the concerns expressed by the Members would be articulated in the submission to Government. She stated that they had lobbied HS2 and the Department for Transport on these and other issues as described in the report over a number of years without satisfactory response.

The Leader commented that this was an opportunity to deliver improvements and deliver the ambitions of Northern Powerhouse Rail to deliver a truly connected network, however the current proposals fell short of delivering on the ambitions for Manchester. She stated that the issue of capacity needed to be adequately addressed, adding that this could only be achieved with the installation of an underground, through platform at Piccadilly train station.    

Decision

The Committee endorse the recommendations that the Executive:

(1)     Note the deposit in Parliament of the HS2 Crewe-Manchester hybrid Bill and the accompanying ES and EQIA.

(2)     Note and comment on the proposed contents of the City Council’s submission in response to the consultations on the HS2 Crewe-Manchester hybrid Bill ES and EQIA.

(3)     Note Council approval to submit a petition to object to aspects of the HS2 Crewe-Manchester hybrid Bill and comment on the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 15.

Report of the Director of City Centre Growth and Infrastructure and Director of Inclusive Economy

This report provides Committee Members with a further update summary of the current situation in the city in relation to COVID-19 and an update on the work progressing in Manchester in relation to areas within the remit of this Committee.  Further detail on specific issues will be available as required.

The Committee considered a report of the Strategic Director, Growth and Development, which provided a further update of the current situation in the city in relation to COVID-19 and an update on the work progressing in Manchester in relation to areas within the remit of the Committee.

The Chair stated that she welcomed the reported increase in footfall at both the King Street and St Ann’s Square locations; she paid tribute to the work delivered through the Good Jobs Project and the Connect with Us digital roadshow, noting the choice of venues to deliver these was welcomed.

Decision

The Committee notes the report.

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 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 note the report and agree the work programme.