To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 29 July 2020.

Decision

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting on 29 July 2020.

The report of the Chief Executive was to follow and is now enclosed.

The written report from the Chief Executive took the form of three “situation reports”, one each for the work on the city’s economic recovery, work with residents and communities, and work on the future of the Council itself. The written report was noted.

At the meeting an oral update on the pandemic was provided by the Consultant in Public Health. She provided a general update on the levels of infection in the city. Overall case numbers on the North West and in Greater Manchester continued to rise, and the infection control restrictions remaining in place in Greater Manchester with more stringent measures recently introduced in Bolton. In Manchester household and community transmission still seemed to be the main cause of new infections, with new cases spread across the city.  The latest figures showed 62.8 cases per 100,000 people, which meant that there was about new 50 cases each day in the city. There were no significant outbreaks or clusters to report.

She then addressed the testing arrangements and the many problems that grown to prominence in the national media. There were seven sites in the city where residents could obtain a swab test, and those sites were not yet operating at capacity. The swabs from those sites were processed at national laboratories and it was the labs that were experiencing capacity problems. So it was lab processing capacity rather than the availability of swabbing that was responsible for some people being told to travel many miles for a test. A number of possible local mitigations to those problems had been considered but there was also insufficient spare local processing capacity to overcome the problems with the national system.

The schools in the city had successfully opened at the start of the new term and the priority was to make sure that schools were well supported if there was a case in the students or staff members. She was concerned about the possible transmission among the returning university students who were starting to come back to the city. Work was underway with the Council, the police and the universities to see how both on-campus and off-campus incidents could best be contained.

She then spoke of the community engagement work that was being undertaken to help residents understand how best to protect themselves. This was providing a opportunity to get good public health messages to a large number of people.

The meeting thanked the Consultant for her comprehensive report.

Decision

To note the report.

The report of the Strategic Director (Growth & Development) is enclosed.

A report submitted by the Strategic Director (Growth & Development) presented a draft of a proposed Withington Village Framework, requesting authority to undertake public consultation on that draft. The report described Withington Village as a key district centre in south Manchester and the draft Framework sought to be a guide to investment and development within Withington Village,  as well as a framework to support applications for future funding.

The draft Framework included a series of spatial strategies for public realm, movement, heritage and streetscape, and identified a range of potential projects including:

·         An enhanced public space outside the Library (Rutherford Place)

·         A more pedestrian friendly environment on Copson Street

·         Enhanced public realm along Wilmslow Road

·         Reviewing the use of public car parks as possible public spaces.

·         Enhanced gateways to the Village

·         Improved walking and cycling routes to the Centre from its catchment.

·         Restored heritage features including enhancing shop fronts

·         Encouraging appropriate development in the Village

The report explained that the intention was for the draft Framework to be the subject of a public consultation, with the outcome of the consultation reported to a future meeting. That was supported.

The meeting was addressed by two of the Withington ward councillors, Councillors White and Wills. They both welcomed the preparation of the draft Framework, explaining that it would provide the opportunity to work with community groups, support local businesses and to strengthen the conservation of the area’s assets. It would build on heritage of the area and the Council’s past investments in the village’s community.

Decisions

1.         To approve the draft Withington Village Framework as a basis for public consultation with local stakeholders.

2.         That the Strategic Neighbourhood Lead (South) undertakes a public consultation exercise on the draft Withington Village Framework with local stakeholders.

3.         That a further report be presented to summarise the outcome of the public consultation, respond to the comments received, and to present a final draft for approval.    

[Councillor M Sharif Mahamed left the meeting at this point]

The report of the Strategic Director (Growth & Development) is enclosed, and has now been revised with an additional recommendation and is republished.

A report from the Strategic Director (Growth & Development) set out an overview of work to develop an Economic Recovery Plan for the city. That plan was a key part of the Council’s forward planning in response to the COVID-19 crisis. The Plan was be a detailed narrative on how the city was well-placed to use its strong assets in order to re-establish economic momentum over the coming few years. It was to be mainly directed at government, businesses and investors. It would aim to set out the city’s direction of travel and to look to the future with a confident message that the city would rise to the challenges, and continue to focus on our drive for inclusive growth.

The plan was to be founded on the three strategic aims identified in the Our Manchester Strategy and Our Manchester Industrial Strategy - People, Place and Prosperity – and on the priorities of inclusive growth and the foundational economy and our zero carbon commitments.

The plan would incorporate transformational schemes and key projects and was to form part of our funding bid to the Spending Review, highlighting how those projects would generate new jobs and homes, and leverage further investment. The Plan would reinforce the importance of regional cities such as Manchester as economic engines, particularly highlighting opportunities in the city centre, the Oxford Road Corridor, North Manchester and Airport City. It would also recognise that achieving inclusive growth was to be more challenging than ever before with anticipated significant unemployment increases, business closures and the impact of education disruption on young people.  There would, therefore, also be an emphasis on working with distressed businesses as new opportunities emerge; youth skills and encouraging young people to stay in education; graduate re-skilling; apprenticeships schemes; and support for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic residents and the over-50’s who have also been disproportionately impacted by Covid-19.

The meeting also considered a presentation by Mike Emmerich of Metro Dynamics Limited and John McCreadie of Eskogen consulting who were members of the team that had developed the recovery plan.

It was noted that the Economy Scrutiny had also recently considered the report and had endorsed its recommendations, requesting some revisions that could be made to future versions of the document (Minute ESC/20/31).

Authority was sought and granted for the Chief Executive to finalise the Plan and to submit to the government.

Decisions

1.         To note the progress being made on preparing an Economic Recovery Plan as a key part of the city’s overall recovery programme.

2.         To note the focus in the Plan on inclusive growth, in particular, the investment in skills and employability, to enable local people to return to employment as opportunities are created.

3.         To delegate authority to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Strategic Director (Growth & Development) and the Leader of the Council, to finalise the Economic Recovery Plan and submit it to government.

The joint report of the City Solicitor and the Deputy Chief Executive is enclosed.

In July 2020 the Executive had noted the progress being made with the Greater Manchester Clean Air Plan - Tackling Nitrogen Oxide Exceedances at the Roadside (Minute Exe/20/76). A report now submitted by the City Solicitor and the Deputy Chief Executive and City Treasurer explained the progress that had been made on the development of Greater Manchester’s Clean Air Plan following the decision that the GM Local Authorities would move to a statutory public consultation on the GM Clean Air Plan as soon as reasonably practicable in light of COVID-19 restrictions, and the link to taxi and private hire common minimum licensing standards. The report also considered the formal governance mechanisms that would underpin the delivery of a GM Clean Air Zone (CAZ) and the supporting measures. The report also set out a position for consultation on the daily charge, discounts and exemptions of a Category C GM Clean Air Zone, and the proposals for the supporting funds that had been developed taking stakeholder engagement and statistical modelling into account. It sought agreement to consult and endorsement of the policy for consultation.

The plan was for the consultation to take place over an eight-week period starting in October 2020. The report explained the proposals for consultation on the daily charge, discounts and exemptions, and the proposals for the supporting funds that had been developed, including:

·         A revision to the proposed daily charges, including a reduction in the charge for HGVs and buses from £100 per day to £60, an increase in the charge levels for LGV and minibuses from £7.50 to £10 as modelling has shown this will have a greater impact in behavioural responses to the charge, and the taxi and private hire charge has been held at £7.50 per day;

·         That the Clean Air Zone (CAZ) will be implemented in Spring 2022;

·         That the Government has accepted an exemption for LGVs and minibuses to 2023;

·         Details of the vehicle finance offer;

·         Details of temporary exemptions, including a temporary exemption to 2023 for wheelchair accessible taxi and private hire vehicles licensed with a Greater Manchester authority, and a temporary exemption to 2023 for coaches registered within Greater Manchester. Additionally, owner-drivers of GM-licensed PHVs (and PHVs leased full-time by 1 person), will be offered a discounted weekly charge of 5/7 of the total from implementation as these vehicles are used for personal use and private cars are not charged under the CAZ.

A copy of the GM Policy for Consultation was appended to the report and was endorsed.

At the meeting concerns were raised in relation to the Equality Impact Assessment wok that had been undertaken given that proposals for taxis and private hire vehicles might have a disproportionate impact on Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic community members. It was agreed that a more detailed Equality Impact Assessment would be needed after the consultation had finished. It was also noted that the Council is minded to support an ultraclean air zone in the city centre.

Decisions

1.         To note the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 92.

The report of the Strategic Director (Growth & Development) is enclosed.

A report from the Strategic Director (Growth & Development) outlined the proposals in a draft development framework Victoria Park and Charles Street in the wider Oxford Road Corridor area; and Granby Row within the Piccadilly regeneration area of the city centre.

The proposed Development Framework area covered three sites within the city centre and wider Oxford Road Corridor area. Two of the sites (Charles Street & Granby Row) at the south-easterly gateway to the core of the city centre and the third located within the wider Oxford Road Corridor at Victoria Park.

At present each site was felt to be underutilised, with a mix of uses, including car parking, hotel, student accommodation, commercial spaces including office, retail and leisure. The framework would set out a vision to create new places and bring underutilised space back into use. The proposed developments would seek to provide:

·         Purpose-built student accommodation in a central and well connected location for the Oxford Road Corridor campuses of the University of Manchester (UoM) and Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU);

·         A new hotel close to Piccadilly Station;

·         Co-Living accommodation to diversify the choice of residential accommodation in the city centre;

·         A range of commercial and social spaces such as bars, restaurants and retail facilities;

·         Affordable housing to support the demand for homes within close proximity to the range of employment opportunities on offer within the city centre; and

·         New connections and public realm to create a sense of place and ensure the areas’ integration with the wider city centre and its neighbourhoods.

The report set out the details of how each of the three sites could contribute to these ambitions.

The report explained that the intention was for the draft Development Framework to be the subject of a public consultation, with the outcome of the consultation reported to a future meeting. That was supported.

Decisions

1.         To note the site context and opportunities presented by the draft framework for three key strategic sites within the city.

2.         To approve the draft Charles Street & Granby Row Development Framework as a basis for consultation with local stakeholders.

3.         That the Strategic Director (Growth & Development) undertakes a public consultation on the framework with local stakeholders.

4.         That a further report be brought back to the Executive, following the public consultation, responding to the comments received.

The report of the Strategic Director (Growth and Development) is enclosed.

Reports submitted in June 2017, September 2017 and December 2017 (Minutes Exe/17/078, Exe/17/113 and Exe/17/153) had explained the implications for Manchester’s residents of the devastating fire at Grenfell Tower in London, and the action being taken to ensure that the residents of tower blocks in Manchester are safe and feel safe.

A comprehensive update report submitted by the Strategic Director (Growth & Development) now sought to provide updates on a range of related topics including:

·         the latest information on the removal of unsafe Aluminium Composite Material (ACM) cladding from buildings;

·         the collection of data on all External Wall Systems;

·         information on other fire safety issues in High Rise Residential Buildings;

·         safety and improvement work being undertaken on council-owned High Rise Residential Buildings;

·         the work of the Council’s interdepartmental Fire Safety Group;

·         the Council’s work with residents and, in particular, the community group known as “The Cladiators”;

·         the Council’s role as an early adopter of the recommendations in the Dame Judith Hackitt Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety;

·         an introduction to the Building Safety Bill and Fire Safety Bill and the implications for Manchester.

On the removal of the dangerous ACM cladding, none of the high rise residential buildings owned by the Council had ACM cladding on them, all the buildings managed by Register Providers had had the cladding removed where necessary, likewise two private-sector buildings. There was still ten private sector builds where ACM cladding needed to be removed:

Of the six where work had yet to start, five of those were reported as developing plans. There was no progress to report from the owners of the Travelodge building on Great Dulcie Street.

All other private high rise building owners had also been asked to identify all of the external wall systems on each building they owned. Owners were asked to identify the type and amount (percentage) of insulation and cladding on each elevation and the material on any balconies on the building. The response had been good and the information had been provided for almost all buildings, and the outstanding ones were anticipated.

The report explained that draft legislation was proposing the setting up of a new, national Building Safety Regulator that was to be responsible for implementing a more stringent regulatory regime for tall buildings as well as overseeing the safety and performance of all buildings. That Regulatory was to establish a system of Mandatory Occurrence Reporting for any structural safety or fire safety related event which was perceived to represent a significant risk to life in multi-occupied residential buildings  ...  view the full minutes text for item 94.

The report of the Strategic Director (Growth and Development) is enclosed.

The meeting considered a report of the Strategic Director (Growth & Development) that provided an overview of the new Private Rented Sector Strategy 2020-25. The report was accompanied by the delivery plan.

The main focus of the strategy was to improve housing and management standards at the lower end of the private rented sector market and ensuring fire safety issues are addressed in all relevant buildings. It sought to help  landlords and residents meet their individual responsibilities by providing advice and information. The main issues within the report included:

·         Providing a rationale for the strategy and setting out how the Council along with its partners would support the improvement of housing standards within the sector over the next 5 years (2020-25);

·         Describing how the strategy had been developed; and

·         Describing the strategy’s three main themes and its objectives. The themes being:-

            Theme 1: Improve Property and Management Standards

Theme 2: Increase Opportunities within the Sector for Low Income Households

            Theme 3: Greater Communication Across the Sector

A copy of the Strategy and the accompanying Delivery Plan were appended to the report and both were endorsed.

It was noted that this report had also been considered at a recent meeting of the Neighbourhoods and Environment Scrutiny Committee, and that the Committee had endorsed its recommendations (Minute NESC/20/34).

Decision

To approve the Private Rented Sector Strategy 2020-25 and delivery plan.

The report of the Strategic Director (Neighbourhoods) is enclosed.

Under the Housing Act 2004 Local Authorities have the power to introduce the licensing of private rented homes within a designated area, with the aim of improving the management and condition of these properties. A report submitted by the Strategic Director (Neighbourhoods) presented proposals to identify areas that meet the criteria to designate a selective licensing area.

One of the themes of the Council’s Private Rented Sector Strategy was to improve property and management conditions in the private rented sector with a particular focus on the poorest quality properties. Selective licensing was seen as being a useful tool to apply targeted interventions in the most challenging areas of the City. The report explained the work that been undertaken, and the data that had been used to identify the geographic areas that met the criteria. Authority was now sought to commence an extensive consultation exercise to establish whether the declaration of a selective licensing scheme was required within these identified areas.

Twelve possible areas had been identified, and a map showing the boundary of each was appended to the report. The areas were:

·         Area 1; Ben Street- Clayton and Openshaw (approximately 105 PRS properties)

·         Area 2; Trinity- Harpurhey (approximately 430 PRS properties)

·         Area 3; Ladders- Gorton and Abbey Hey (approximately 773 PRS properties)

·         Area 4; Flats above shops Hyde Road- Gorton/ Abbey Hey (approximately 94 PRS properties)

·         Area 5; Royals- Longsight (approximately 64 PRS properties)

·         Area 6; Laindon Road/ Dickenson Road- Rusholme (approximately 37 PRS properties)

·         Area 7; Claremont Rd/Great Western Street- Moss Side (approximately 318 PRS properties)

·         Area 8; Heywood Street- Cheetham (approximately 248 PRS properties)

·         Area 9; Birch Lane- Rusholme (approximately 69 PRS properties)

·         Area 10; Esmond/Avondale- Cheetham (approximately 76 PRS properties)

·         Area 11; Flats above shops Cheetham Hill Road -Cheetham (approximately 60 PRS properties)

·         Area 12; Matthews Lane- Levenshulme (approximately 159 PRS properties)

The report explained that the intention was to now consult local residents, tenants and landlords, managing agents and local businesses, both within the proposed areas and in the surrounding areas, and also national landlord associations who support and advocate for a number of private rented sector landlords across the country. The methodology for the consultations was described in the report.

The responses were to evaluated and published on the Council’s website, and would inform officer decision making on whether to proceed with the approval of any of the proposed areas, in consultation with Executive Members.

It was noted that this report had also been considered at a recent meeting of the Neighbourhoods and Environment Scrutiny Committee, and that the Committee had endorsed its recommendations (Minute NESC/20/35).

The proposals in the report were supported.

Decisions

1.         To approve a consultation with residents, private landlords, businesses and other stakeholders to designate selective licensing schemes within the geographical areas listed in the report.

2.         Subject to the outcome of the consultation, to delegate authority to the Strategic Director (Neighbourhoods), in consultation with the Executive Member for Housing and Regeneration and the Executive Member for Finance and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 96.

The report of the Chief Executive is enclosed.

(Councillor Midgely declared a prejudicial interest in this item of business and withdrew from the meeting while it was being considered.)

In June the Executive had approved consultation on a preferred in-house option for the future management of the Council’s Arm’s Length Management Organisation (AMLO) that had been identified as part of the Housing Revenue Account review. The same meeting had also approved a due-diligence exercise of the Northwards ALMO, including consultation with staff, unions, tenants and local stakeholders, to review the costs of options (Minute Exe/20/66).

A report submitted by the Chief Executive set out the outcome of the due-diligence exercise that had been undertaken by Campbell Tickell Limited management consultancy. The report set out how those consultants had carried out their assessmsnt and analysis. The work had concluded that returning the service to Council control offered the greatest financial benefit and arguably the greatest non-financial benefits.

The report therefore described the next steps that would have to be taken to bring about the change in the operation of the ALMO, including the requirement to consult with the tenants about proposals that relate to the management of their homes. It was proposed and agreed that the consultation take the form of a “test of opinion” where every tenant would be given the opportunity to respond to the Council’s proposals. That proposal was supported.

It was noted that the Economy Scrutiny had also recently considered the report and had been unable to endorse its recommendations, raising concerns about the benefits to residents of bringing the service in-house (Minute ESC/20/33). At the meeting consideration was given to the concerns the Committee had raised and it was agreed to adopt a revised version of the second recommendations in the report.

Decisions

1.         To note the review had concluded that found that doing nothing was not an option and that there was an opportunity to achieve savings of at least £77m over the 30-year business plan by ending the current arrangements under which the Council’s housing stock is managed by Northwards Housing Limited (NHL).

2.         To agree that for the service to remain out-sourced there would need to be demonstrable benefits for tenants. To confirm that insourcing the service remains the preferred option and the intention to take over direct management of the Housing Service into the Council from 5 July 2021 subject to a “test of opinion” involving all tenants and leaseholders.

3.         To note the proposals contained within the report about how the new council controlled service offer would be developed and how, in future, tenants were to be involved and empowered in the decision making about services to homes and communities.

The report of the Deputy Chief Executive and City Treasurer was to follow and is now enclosed.

A report concerning requests to increase the capital programme was submitted. We agreed to make one change under emergency powers established by the Council in March 2020, and to make a further five changes under delegated powers. These changes would increase Manchester City Council’s capital budget by £4.642m over the next two years, funded by a mixture of the Capital Fund, capital receipts, external contributions and government grants.

It was also reported that the Deputy Chief Executive and City Treasurer had made a further three changes using delegated powers:

·         £219,000 for Private Sector Housing relating to the Brunswick PFI – Turkish Centre additional costs, funded by capital receipts

·         £51,000 for Highways Services for residents parking zones in Hathersage and near the North Manchester General Hospital, funded by an external contribution

·         £75,000 for Growth and Development for the Factory, the Allied London Contribution (Cabin relocation), funded by an external contribution.

Decisions

1.         To approve, under the emergency provision of the Council (Minute  CC/20/26) these changes to capital programme:

            a) ICT – Early Years and Education System (EYES) Additional funding. A capital budget decrease of £0.661m with a corresponding revenue budget increase of £0.661m funded from Capital Fund.

2.         To approve these changes to the capital programme:

            b) Growth and Development – Space Studios Manchester: Phase 3 Feasibility Budget. A capital budget increase of £0.650m funded by £0.325m grant and £0.325m capital receipts.

            c) Growth and Development – Manchester Digital Security Innovation Hub (CyberHub). A capital budget increase of £2m funded by external contribution.

            d) Private Sector Housing – Marginal Viability Fund New Victoria additional funding. A capital budget increase of £0.9m funded by Government grant.

            e) Highways – Beswick Filtered Neighbourhood Delivery costs. A capital budget increase of £0.878m funded by external contribution.

            f) Children’s Services - Lyndene Children’s Home Refurbishment. A capital budget increase of £0.875m funded by grant.

3.         To note increases to the programme of £0.345m as a result of delegated approvals.

To record the Council’s thanks to Richard Elliot, the Head of Local Planning and Infrastructure, for his exemplary service to the Council and to the city.