To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 16 February 2022.

Decision

The Executive approved as a correct record the minutes of the meeting on 16 February 2022.

Report of the Director of Public Health attached

The Executive considered a report of the Director of Public Health, which outlined Manchester’s Living Fairly and Safely with Covid draft plan, following the Prime Minister’s announcement of the publication of the National Living Safely with Covid Plan on 21 February 2022.

The Manchester plan was based on what the current understanding on national policy direction on Covid-19 and based on what the epidemiology (scientific study of Covid-19 and how it was found, spread and controlled) was stating. As with all the Council’s  Covid-19 plans, it was iterative and would be updated and developed over time in line with any further national policy announcements (e.g., testing) which were expected in the next month.

The Deputy Leader (Adult Care and Health) reported that over the past few weeks there had been a significant increases in case rates within Manchester and the headline rates were currently at 315 per 100,000 of the population, which  although still below the national average had risen by 54% in the last week.  The rate in the over 60’s population had also risen to 236 per 100,000 of the population.  As such there was still a continued need to support and protect the city’s most vulnerable.  She then outlined key elements of the plan, highlighting the 12 priorities for the year ahead.

It was reported that the Covid helpline would continue through the Spring and the Council was awaiting an announcement from Government on free LFT kits for the most vulnerable.

The Director of Public Health reported that it had been announce that all PCR testing sites would be demobilised from the 4 April 2022 which were to be completed by the 16 May 2022

The Leader asked if it was anticipated that there would be any form of PCR testing available in the city after the 4 April 2022.  The Director of Public Health advised that PCR tests would only continue to be available in hospital settings or where residents were taking part in the ONS survey.  Announcements were still awaiting in relation to testing regime for care home staff and residents.  It was anticipated that this would be the use of  LFT tests rather than PCR tests.

The Leader echoed the concerns that had been raised at Health Scrutiny on the removal of PCR testing and felt it was much too premature to step down any surveillance activities and begin charging for LFT tests.

Councillor Karey commented that Government should not be allowed to return to a position of “health as normal” as there could be future variants and the Council needed to continue to hold the Government to account for appropriate health resources for the city.

Councillor Leech agreed with the comments made by the Leader on the premature removal of testing regime given the rate of infection within the city.  He asked what the Council was doing to ensure that its staff remained safe and would attendance management  be looked ta for those staff who tested positive and where not able to attend  ...  view the full minutes text for item 30.

Report of the Chief Executive attached

The Executive considered a report of the Chief Executive which provided an update on key areas of progress against the Our Manchester Strategy – Forward to 2025 which reset Manchester’s priorities for the next five years to ensure the Council could still achieve the city’s ambition set out in the Our Manchester Strategy 2016 – 2025.

The Leader reflected on the  on the atrocities in Ukraine and outline the support that Manchester would be providing in welcoming any Ukrainian refugees who relocated to the city and its Ukrainian communities.  She reported that the Council would continue to press Government for further details of the its Local Sponsorship scheme for Ukrainians.

The Leader also reported on the launch of Manchester’s new Digital Strategy, which set out how the city could grow its thriving digital sector while ensuring residents were equipped with the skills and infrastructure to benefit.  The strategy aimed to help Manchester become a world-leading digital city – mirroring and contributing to the goals of the wider Our Manchester Strategy for the city. This meant tackling digital exclusion, which often went hand in hand with social exclusion, and helping ensure that the workforce in the digital sector reflected the diversity of the city

Councillor Leech queried whether there would be a need for an increase in the number of Ukrainian interpreters within the city and what impact, if any would the government’s sponsorship scheme have on resident in receipt of council tax benefit who chose to house a Ukrainian refugee.

The Leader advised the Council would be working with local communities around the need for interpretation services and at present there was alack of uncertainty form Government in the number of Ukrainian refugees that would need accommodation in Manchester, however, the financial contribution proposed by Government was not to be taken as a form of rent and as such should have no impact on those residents in receipt of council tax benefit.

The Deputy Leader reported on the £1.5m funding that had been secured for a community cycling facility in Wythenshawe Park.  Work had started on the development of the Cycle Hub which would see the creation of a traffic-free cycle facility for all the family, including a learn to ride     area, skills zone, pump track, woodland trails, and family trail. 

In tandem with this, the investment aimed to motivate more Mancunians to learn how to cycle, to choose cycling as their mode of transport and, encourage people to take advantage of the increasing number of cycle routes in and around the city

Decision

The Executive note the update.

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive and City Treasurer attached

The Executive considered a report of the Deputy Chief Executive and City Treasurer, which informed Members of requests to increase the capital programme, sought approval for those schemes that could be approved under authority delegated to the Executive and asked the Executive to recommend to Council proposals that required specific Council approval.

The proposals which did not require Council approval and only required Executive approval were those which were funded by the use of external resources, use of capital receipts, use of reserves below £10.0m, where the proposal could be funded from existing revenue budgets or where the use of borrowing on a spend to save basis is required.  The following proposals require Executive approval for changes to the City Council’s capital programme:

·                Growth and Development – Our Town Hall Levels five and six. A capital budget increase of £1.170m was requested, funded by Capital Receipts for the fit out of levels five and six for the Our Town Hall Project. The original proposal was for a commercial tenant to fund the works but following market advice that the accommodation was more suitable for the public sector, the accommodation had now been incorporated into the Council’s wider estates strategy

·                Growth and Development – Back of Ancoats: Public Realm and Mobility Hub. Subject to final approval of the Council’s bid for grant funding by Government, a capital budget increase of £32.7m was requested.  The Back of Ancoats programme would deliver an innovative Mobility Hub, new public realm, and land acquisition/remediation in order to facilitate the regeneration of the area with the delivery of 1,500 new homes. The regeneration of the Back of Ancoats was a major opportunity to initiate a programme of transformational growth across the Eastern Gateway in Manchester.

·                Neighbourhoods - Wythenshawe Park - Commercial Master Plan and Strategic Transport Plan. A capital budget decrease from Parks Development Programme Budget of £0.080m was requested and approval of a corresponding transfer of £0.080m to the revenue budget, funded by Capital Fund.  The commercial plan would  identify and set out investment opportunities into the park informing priorities across the site to build on the existing offer and activate the existing infrastructure. The Strategic Transport Plan would inform the external and internal traffic management requirements and active travel plans in partnership with Highways to look to accommodate an increase in visits for ongoing and future developments to the site.

The report highlighted that there had been increases to the programme totalling £0.490m as a result of delegated approvals since the previous report to the Executive on 16 February 2022 and if the recommendations in the report were approved the General Fund capital budget would increase by £33.7591 across financial years which would also result in an increase in the prudential indicator for Capital Expenditure in corresponding years.

Approval had also been given for the following capital budget virements:-

·                £0.300m from Highways Improvement Budget for 40mph Speed Limit Reduction Programme to implement new reduced speed limits from 40mph to 30mph at ten locations across  ...  view the full minutes text for item 32.

Report of the Strategic Director of Children and Education Services attached

The Executive considered a report of the Strategic Director of Children and Education Services, which outlined a proposal to commission a provider through an open tender process to run the Manchester Sensory Support Service.

The Executive Member for Children and Families explained that following a period where the current service provider, Lancasterian School,  had faced a number of challenges including a change of leadership and governors and after implementing some alternative arrangements, had confirmed that it no longer wished to provide governance and oversight for the service and consequently the Council needed to seek a new provider.

A number of options had been developed and considered with the service to identify the best possible future governance and oversight arrangements going forward.  The option which would best contribute to good outcomes for children and young people and provide a stable future for capable, confident and talented staff to make a positive contribution was to place the Sensory Service with a provider who had a track record of successfully running schools and/or education services, strong governance and a robust back office which provided professional development, finance and HR support. Therefore, the recommended proposal was to go to open procurement through a tender on the Chest.

Councillor Leech expressed disappointment that the current provider did not feel able to continue in providing the service and asked whether any consideration had been given to joint working arrangements with other local authorities.

The Director of Education advised that discussions had taken place with other Local Authorities but as Manchester had the largest number of children requiring this service there was currently no benefit in developing any joint working arrangements.  It was hoped that when a new provider was identified there would be opportunities to explore this further.

Decisions

The Executive:-

(1)      Approves progressing option 3 (maintain the strengths of the current model and commission the service) within a budget envelope of £2.83m per annum.

(2)      Delegate authority to the Strategic Director for Children and Education to do all things necessary to conduct the procurement exercise and award the contract for the service in consultation with the Deputy Chief Executive and City Treasurer.

(3)      Authorises the City Solicitor to enter all necessary documentation to give effect to the recommendations and details set out in the report.

Report of the Executive Director Adult Social Services and Deputy Chief Executive and City Treasurer attached

The Executive considered a report of the Executive Director Adult Social Services and Deputy Chief Executive and City Treasurer, which outlined proposals to ensure that all care providers providing care and support to Manchester residents were in receipt of funding enabling them to pay their workforce the Real Living Wage (RLW).

The Deputy Leader (Adult Care and Health) commented that the Council had been committed to the Real Living Wage for several years and that these proposals were in recognition of:-

·                The critical role that care and support workers played in meeting the needs of the city’s most vulnerable residents, and in particular the criticality of this role during the city’s response to the covid-19 pandemic;

·                The need to ensure the Council attracted individuals into the care workforce in Manchester, particularly critical as national labour market changes had impacted on recruitment and retention in Manchester into caring role; and

·                Manchester’s care workforce were often Manchester residents and the Our Manchester Strategy describes the Council’s commitment to being a ‘progressive and equitable’ city – paying the RLW for this workforce would have wider health wellbeing and economic impacts for the city’s residents 

She added that whilst this was a welcomed move, there was still a need for Government to provide a sustainable plan to fund Adult Social Care properly. 

The Leader noted that the fragmentation of social care had made it a difficult ambition to achieve but it was positive to see all Greater Manchester Local Authorities moving in the same direction and placed on record the Executive’s thanks and appreciation to all officers who had been involved in making the ambition a reality.

Councillor Leech queried whether there was potential savings to be achieved around recruitment and retention with the implementation of the RLW and asked whether personal budgets would be included in the £12.1m of proposed investment for the 2022/23 financial year.

The Leader responded, commenting that here had been detailed analysis pre pandemic around the benefits of paying the RLW in relation to the retention of staff in the care sector.  As the Council emerged from the current phase of the pandemic the workforce market still presented a significant challenge but it was hoped with the increase to the RLW, connected to the integrated pathways of progression would be the start of improving the retention and recruitment of staff.  She added that when Homecare was looked at in 2018, personal budgets was included in this piece of work

Decisions

The Executive:-

(1)      Approve the investment of a total of £12.1m for the 2022/23 financial year to the care sector made up of:-

·                £5.7m set aside in the budget for NLW increase;

·                £3.5m to enable an increase beyond NLW to RLW;

·                £1m to support providers with the costs of the national insurance increase; and

·                £1.9m to support wider non pay inflationary increases in costs

(2)     Approve the funding of this from:-

·                £5.731m of existing budget earmarked to fund the NLW uplift;

·                £1m of 2021/22 unallocated NLW uplift budget;

·                £2.8m  ...  view the full minutes text for item 34.

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive & City Treasurer and City Solicitor attached

The Executive considered a report of the Deputy Chief Executive and City Treasurer and City Solicitor, which set out the proposed extension of the current Section 75 Partnership Agreement (S75) between Manchester CCG and Manchester City Council on the Better Care Fund and the Improved Better Care Fund.

The NHS reforms, which would see the replacement of the Greater Manchester CCGs with an Integrated Care System (ICS), had been delayed to 1 July 2022.  This delay would result in a more fragmented budget process as funding would be allocated for the first quarter of the year via the current CCG system, and for the remaining three quarters via the new ICS.

The proposal was to extend the current S75 to the 31 March 2023, recognising the S75 is likely to be cease on the date at which the Manchester CCG transferred to the Integrated Care System.

Decisions

The Executive:-

(1)      Approve the extension of the S75 on the Better Care Fund and the Improved Better Care Fund.

(2)      Delegate authority to the Deputy Chief Executive and City Treasurer and City Solicitor, in consultation with Executive Member, to finalise any amendments that need to be made to the document.

Report of the Strategic Director (Growth & Development) attached

The Executive considered a report of the Strategic Director (Growth and Development), which set out proposals for the compulsory purchase of land within the Collyhurst Village neighbourhood, which consisted of residential buildings, a retail premises and rent charges/covenants.

The Executive Member for Housing and Employment explained that the proposed Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) would facilitate the development, redevelopment and improvement of land at Thornton Street North for the provision of 244 new residential dwellings together with associated works including a new park.

It was reported that the Council had committed to supporting all affected occupants located within the scheme boundary to relocate to a new property within the scheme through a single move and subject to approval, financial support would be made available to eligible owner-occupiers through the Council’s- Manchester Home Improvement and Relocation Assistance Policy, to purchase a replacement home, either in the new development or elsewhere in Manchester.  In addition, it was recognised that some existing owner-occupiers may choose not to remain in owner-occupation and they would be eligible to apply for rehousing by the Council and would be awarded Group 1 priority. Similarly, the Private and RP tenants would be eligible for Group 1 priority rehousing.   It was also  intended that the current operator of the Commercial premises would be given a right of first refusal, on appropriate commercial terms, to relocate their business into the new Commercial premises within the development.

Councillor Karney placed on record the work of the Executive Member for Housing and Employment and Council Officers in supporting those residents affected by the CPO proposals.

Councillor Leech queried whether the 22 existing tenants in houses would be offered a like for like replacement or a different size property.  He also commented that he felt that the Councils proposal on the number of types of tenures that were proposed to be built was wrong and there should be more houses proposed as opposed to flats.

The Leader responded, advising that the proposals had been discussed at length through the Council’s scrutiny process prior to these proposals coming before Executive and that successful regeneration needed to afford people a choice of accommodation and that people being happy with the choices being given.

The Executive Member for Housing and Employment clarified that the Council’s proposals included the creation of 100 council homes, which would be a mixture of houses and apartments

Decisions

The Executive:-

(1)      Note that the Executive meeting on 17 February 2021 approved a set of recommendations to provide for the delivery of residential development proposals within the adjacent neighbourhoods of Collyhurst Village and South Collyhurst, to be undertaken through existing Joint Venture contractual arrangements between the City Council and Far East Consortium (FEC) for the Victoria North initiative.

(2)      Authorise the making of the City of Manchester (Thornton Street North, Collyhurst Village) Compulsory Purchase Order 2022 (“the Order”) under Section 226(1)(a) and (1A) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 as amended by the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 36.

Report of the Strategic Director (Growth & Development) attached

The Executive considered a report of the Strategic Director (Growth and Development), which sought approval for a new development lease to Great Places Housing Association of land at Downley Drive, New Islington/Ancoats to facilitate the delivery of a mixed tenure affordable housing scheme supported by Homes England funding.

The development would comprise a new wholly affordable residential scheme comprised of 68 units with a mixture of social rented and shared ownership tenures. 23 houses would be for shared ownership whilst all 45 apartments would be for social rent. The development would be low carbon and highly sustainable employing the latest in energy efficiency measures in the fabric and construction.

The proposed lease was for a term of 999 years at a premium of £1,500,000 which was less than the best consideration that could reasonably be obtained on the basis of an unrestricted disposal. 

Decisions

The Executive:-

(1)      Approve the basis of the land transaction as set out in section 3 of this report.

(2)      Authorise the Strategic Director (Growth and Development) to finalise the terms of the transaction as set out in this report.

(3)      Authorise the City Solicitor to enter into and complete all documents and agreements necessary to give effect to the recommendations.

Report of the Strategic Director (Growth & Development) attached

The Executive considered a report of the Strategic Director (Growth and Development), which sought approval for a new lease to RFL (Governing Body) Ltd of the former Beswick shops site and a small portion of the adjacent playing fields. 

The proposed RFL development would bring forward a new hub facility comprising a new training pitch and pavilion with a capacity of circa900 whilst providing changing rooms, offices and hospitality/meeting rooms.  It was explained that the  use would be restricted to training, education, skills development, training and hosting / playing of sports. The grant of the lease would be  subject to various conditions which would be documented by way of an agreement for lease. There would also be development milestones within the lease, with the Council reserving the ability to forfeit in certain circumstances relating to non-performance.

It was explained that the proposed lease was for a term of 125 years at a peppercorn rent and at a lease premium of £1.00 which was less than the best consideration that could reasonably be obtained and an application to the Secretary of State would be submitted for consent to dispose of school playing fields under the provisions of s77 of the School and Frameworks Act 1988).

Decisions

The Executive:-

(1)      Approve the proposals as set out in section 3 of the report.

(2)      Authorise the Strategic Director (Growth and Development) to finalise the terms of the transactions as set out in this report.

(3)      Authorise the City Solicitor to enter into and complete all documents and agreements necessary to give effect to the recommendations

Report of the Strategic Director (Growth & Development) attached

The Executive considered a report of the Strategic Director (Growth and Development), which outlined the Council’s proposed response to the HS2 hybrid Bill which had been deposited in  Parliament on 24 January 2022, the public consultations on the Environmental Statement (ES) and Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA) for the Bill. The report further outlined the key areas on which the Council was proposing to petition against the hybrid Bill.

The Leader commented that the Council was fully supportive of the introduction of HS2 and NPR and the provision of stations at Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Airport.  However, the Council had consistently retained a clear position on the need to ensure that the schemes were delivered in a manner that fully complemented the connectivity, place-making, local employment, and sustainable growth objectives as set out in the Manchester Piccadilly Strategic Regeneration Framework (SRF) and the Greater Manchester HS2 and NPR Growth Strategy.  This had been reiterated in several responses to Government consultations on HS2 made in as well as through ongoing direct engagement with HS2 Ltd and DfT. 

The Leader stated that it was imperative to create a station at Manchester Piccadilly that was a world class, fully integrated transport hub which could actively maximise economic growth and the regeneration of the eastern side of the city centre.  A ‘Build it Once, Build it Right’ strategic approach to transport investment at Piccadilly would ensure the earliest transformation of Piccadilly Station; avoid significant and long-term disruption promote confidence in future investment.  

It was strongly believed that the design for Manchester Piccadilly High Speed station should specifically consider Piccadilly in terms of the integration between HS2, NPR, the wider rail network and local growth and regeneration and that the current surface terminus station proposed for Manchester station within the hybrid Bill.  The proposed surface terminus did not deliver the right solution to provide the required level of reliability and resilience to effectively support the wider High-Speed network. Furthermore, it significantly impacted on the delivery of the place-making and economic growth agenda set out in the approved Piccadilly SRF and the GM HS2 / NPR Growth Strategy.

Councillor Leech commented whether the proposed  re-opening of Withington Golf Club following the five year construction of the required ventilation shaft, headhouse and auto-transformer station at Palatine Road would be viable given the number of alternative golf courses in south Manchester.

The Leader noted this point and advised that this would be one of the areas included in the Councils petition response.

Decisions

The Executive:-

(1)     Note the deposit in Parliament of the HS2 Crewe-Manchester hybrid Bill and the accompanying Environmental Statement and Equality Impact Assessment.

(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 Environmental Statement and Equality Impact Assessment.

(3)     Note Council approval to submit a petition to object to aspects of the HS2 Crewe-Manchester hybrid Bill and comment on the proposed areas for the City Council’s petition.

(4)     Delegate authority to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 39.

Report of the Strategic Director (Growth and Development) attached

The Executive considered a report of the Strategic Director (Growth and Development), which presented the findings from the recent public consultation exercise that would inform the final version of the Poland Street Zone Public Realm Strategy for consideration and approval.

The Executive Member for Housing and Employment explained that the draft Public Realm strategy had been considered by the Executive in January 2022 and approved as a basis for consultation with local and statutory stakeholders.

The final version of the Strategy was intended to support the delivery of the previously adopted Ancoats and New Islington Neighbourhood Development Framework (NDF) and to help facilitate future development in the part of Ancoats bounded by Bengal Street, Oldham Road, Butler Street and the Rochdale Canal in the northeast of the extended city centre.  The Poland Street Zone Public Realm Strategy represented a significant strand of this activity, articulating a co-ordinated approach to public realm delivery and a series of mechanisms for maximising developer contributions, with the intention of supporting the provision of appropriate public realm and core neighbourhood infrastructure.

Decisions

The Executive:-

(1)      Note the comments received from stakeholders, including local land and property owners; residents; businesses, along with public and statutory consultees: and how they have been responded to in the final draft;

(2)      Approve the final version of the Poland Street Zone Public Realm Strategy as a material consideration in the Council’s decision making as a Local Planning Authority;

(3)      Note the Delivery Strategy set out in this report and authorise the Strategic Director (Growth and Development) to further develop and implement this strategy, in dialogue with key stakeholders, including potential funding bodies, investors and developer partners, landowners and existing businesses.

(4)      Note that a further funding package from Homes England for off site infrastructure in the Ancoats neighbourhood has been agreed subject to further Treasury approvals and an agreed grant funding agreement with the Council. This is in addition to the previously reported £4.7m from Brownfield Land Fund will be utilised to fund the majority of the capital works in accordance with the Delivery Strategy.

(5)      Note that the Delivery Strategy will require the Council to implement a number of area-wide public realm improvements and to work in partnership with investor and developer partners to this end.