Agenda and minutes

Agenda and minutes

Executive - Wednesday, 28th July, 2021 2.00 pm

Venue: Council Chamber, Level 2, Town Hall Extension. View directions

Contact: Michael Williamson 

Media

Items
No. Item

70.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 167 KB

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 30 June 2021.

Minutes:

The Executive approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting on 30 June 2021.

71.

COVID Progress updates - Population Health and Economic Recovery pdf icon PDF 230 KB

The report of the Director of Public Health and the Director of City Centre Growth and Infrastructure is enclosed.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Executive considered a report of the Director of Public Health and the Director of City Centre Growth and Infrastructure, which provided an update on the COVID-19 situation within the city and the progress that was being made with the city’s economic recovery.

 

The Director of Public Health advised that infection rates within the city was now 425 per 100,000 population, but the city was now outside the top 100 listed local authorities compared to being 5th at the end of May/early June, which demonstrated that the efforts being made were having a positive effect.  He also advised that the City was no longer an Enhanced Response Area, but re-iterated it was still important to retain a focus on the targeted vaccination drive.

 

Councillor Karney condemned the actions of those involved in the recent rally against the vaccination and the NHS which had taken place in the city centre.

 

The Leader also commented that it was clear vaccinations were making an enormous difference in the city, specifically in the context of older people and advised that the online scare mongering in relation to the effect of the vaccination on pregnant women was not reflected by the scientific evidence and it was important that the correct information was publicised.

 

In relation to the city’s economic recovery, the Director of City Centre Growth and Infrastructure advised that the city was still facing a number of challenges in its recovery, including the impact on a number of key sectors and employment.  A number of measures were being out in pace to mitigate these challenges.

 

The Leader commented that there was still issues with the efficiency of public transport in supporting people to physically return to work and the impact of the requirement for people to isolate having been notified by the NHS app that they had been in contact with someone who had tested positive for COVID was also impacting on the ability for people to return to work.  He expressed disappointment with the lack of Council staff that had returned to work in the Town Hall and suggested the Council needed to be leading by example on this front.

 

Decision

 

The Executive note the update.

72.

Our Manchester - Progress Update pdf icon PDF 317 KB

Report of the Chief Executive attached

Minutes:

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 Executive Member for Environment highlighted the positive work that was taking place on the Council’s decarbonisation schemes and the proposed next stage of changes to Deansgate, both of which would contribute towards the Council’s Climate Change Action Plan.

 

The Executive Member for Children’s Services highlighted the positive work that had been done to deliver a range of activities over the school summer holidays for children and young people, many of which would be free of charge and take place at venues across the city including parks, galleries, libraries, leisure centres and cultural venues with an emphasis on fun.

 

The Deputy Leader (Human Resources) highlighted the Social Value that had been derived from the recent  Manchester International Festival and how this had had a positive economic impact on other businesses within the city.

 

Decision

 

The Executive note the update.

73.

Revenue Monitoring to the end of May 2021 pdf icon PDF 244 KB

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive and City Treasurer attached

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Executive considered a report of the Deputy Chief Executive and City Treasurer, which outlined the projected outturn position for 2021/22, based on expenditure and income activity as at the end of May 2021 and future projections.   

 

The Leader commented that whilst the current position showed a slight underspend, at this point in the financial year it was not possible to say for certain that this would continue as the year progressed.  He added that more funding had been received than expected in relation to Public Health grants and Homelessness.


Decisions

 

The Executive:-

 

(1)      Note the global revenue monitoring report and forecast outturn position which is showing a £1.359m underspend.

(2)      Approve budget virements to be reflected in the budget as outlined in paragraph. 2.7 of the report.

(3)      Approve additional COVID-19 grants to be reflected in the budget as outlined in paragraphs 2.8 to 2.10 of the report).

(4)      Approve the use of unbudgeted external grant funding (non COVID-19) as outlined in paragraph 2.11 of the report.

(5)      Approve the use of budgets to be allocated as outlined in paragraph 2.12 of the report.

74.

Capital Programme Monitoring 2021/22 pdf icon PDF 690 KB

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive and City Treasurer attached

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Executive considered a report of the Deputy Chief Executive and City Treasurer, which provided an overview of the progress against the delivery of the 2021/22 capital programme to the end of June 2021, the latest forecast of capital expenditure and the major variances since the Capital Programme Outturn report submitted in June 2021 and the proposed financing of capital expenditure for 2021/22 and affordability of the Capital Programme.

 

The Deputy City Treasurer highlighted a relatively small variance of £18.1 million, with a couple of key changes to the programme and associated risks also identified.

 

Decision

 

The Executive recommends that the Council approve the virement of £1.0m to the Maintenance Challenge Fund, consolidating the budget to enable priority works to be completed. within the Highways Portfolio as outlined in paragraph 7.6 of the report.

 

 

 

 

75.

Capital Programme Update pdf icon PDF 235 KB

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive and City Treasurer attached

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Executive considered a report of the Deputy Chief Executive and City Treasurer, which informed Members of requests to increase the capital programme.   The report also 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.

 

There were no proposals which required Council approval. 

 

The proposals that did not require Council approval, which were funded by the use of external resources, use of capital receipts, use of reserves below £2million, where the proposal could be funded from existing revenue budgets or where the use of borrowing on a spend to save basis was required included the following:-

 

·                Private Sector Housing – Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG). A capital budget increase of £6.289m is requested, funded by Government Grant; and

·                Highways Services – Great Ancoats Street Tree Maintenance. A capital budget decrease of £0.040m is requested and approval of a corresponding transfer of £0.040m to the revenue budget, funded by Capital Fund

 

The report highlighted that there had been increases to the programme totalling £0.295m as a result of delegated approvals since the previous report to the Executive on 30 June 2021 and If the recommendations in the report were approved, the General Fund capital budget would increase by £6.249m across financial years. This would also result in an increase in the prudential indicator for Capital Expenditure in corresponding years.

 

It was also reported that approval had been given for two capital budget virements from the Parks Development Programme budget totalling £0.241m. Following the fire restoration work, office refurbishment works (£0.211m) would be carried out to reactivate Wythenshawe Hall for both staff and community use by returning the staff to the office space and carrying out some cosmetic improvements to the Tenants Hall, bar and public toilets. Funding had also been allocated for Site Investigation for improvements to Heaton Park Overflow Car Park (£0.030m).

 

Decisions

 

The Executive:-

 

(1)      Approve the following changes to the City Council’s capital programme:

 

·                Private Sector Housing – Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG). A capital budget increase of £6.289m is requested, funded by Government Grant

·                Highways Services – Great Ancoats Street Tree Maintenance. A capital budget decrease of £0.040m is requested and approval of a corresponding transfer of £0.040m to the revenue budget, funded by Capital Fund.

 

(2)      Note increases to the programme of £0.295m as a result of delegated approvals.

 

(3)      Note virements in the programme of £0.241m as a result of virements from approved budgets

76.

National Cycling Centre pdf icon PDF 283 KB

Report of the Strategic Director - Neighbourhoods attached

Minutes:

The Executive considered a report of the Strategic Director – Neighbourhoods, which set out proposals to refurbish the National Cycling Centre (NCC) to ensure that it remained fit for purpose and to secure Manchester’s future as the home of British Cycling for the next 25 years.

 

The NCC was an internationally recognised cycling facility, having supported the delivery of the 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games it had helped put Manchester on the international sports map for the last two decades for both major events and the success of British Cycling.  Whilst the NCC was extended in 2010 to incorporate the UK’s first dedicated indoor BMX centre and improved office space for British Cycling (BC), café, shop and public realm, the Velodrome element of the facility was now 28 years old and as such, a stock condition survey has confirmed that this part of the NCC requires significant investment due to items being life expired.  Investment was necessary in order to reduce the carbon footprint of the venue, sustain the existing service offer, as well as keep pace with more modern facilities located in London and Glasgow.

 

The revenue implications during the construction phase were estimated at £2.112m, due to loss of income and the need to rent alternative accommodation. It is proposed that this is funded from joint funds held by Manchester City Council and Sport England.

 

The total capital cost of the scheme was estimated at £26.178m.   A capital budget of £22.456m was required, as £1.577m was already approved in the Asset Management Programme to reach the end of the RIBA Stage 4 design.

 

It was proposed that the budget would be funded £20.566m from borrowing and £1.890m funded from borrowing on a spend to save basis, funded from joint funds held by Manchester City Council and Sport England.  It was estimated that, based on current interest rates, the borrowing (excluding that to be charged to joint funding held by Manchester City Council and Sport England) would create an estimated annual cost of c.£1.23m in interest and minimum revenue provision. This would be funded from the existing capital financing budget.

 

The remaining £2.145m would be funded from the existing Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme budget.

 

The timetable for progressing the scheme meant that works were required to start before the next Council meeting, with an estimated capital cost of £0.9m. It was proposed that these were progressed, funded from Capital Fund, acknowledging that if the scheme did not progress for any reason they would be classed as abortive costs and would need to be charged to revenue. If Council approval was received, these works would form part of the scheme and be funded from borrowing.

 

Decisions

 

The Executive:-

(1)       Note the options presented in the report and approve proceeding with the full refurbishment of the NCC at a cost of £26.178m.

(2)       Recommend that Council approve the establishment of a capital budget for the refurbishment of the NCC of £22.456m, funded from £20,566m borrowing and £1.890m on a spend to save  ...  view the full minutes text for item 76.

77.

GM Clean Air Final Plan pdf icon PDF 619 KB

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

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Executive considered a report of the Deputy Chief Executive and City Treasurer and City Solicitor, which set out the proposed Greater Manchester Final Clean Air Plan (CAP)and policy following a review of all the information gathered through the GM CAP consultation and wider data, evidence and modelling work which was to be agreed by the ten Greater Manchester local authorities.

 

The Executive Member of Environment highlighted that poor air quality was the biggest environmental risk to poor health and this plan was key to achieving not only the Council’s legal obligations to improving air quality but also ensuring that the health of Manchester residents was protected now and in the future.

 

Councillor Karney welcomed the proposals, commenting that there had been a sea of change amongst Manchester residents in becoming more health conscious and many were now more aware of the importance of clean air within and across the city.

 

The Leader also highlighted the detrimental impact dirty air had, especially on young people’s growth and development and older peoples respiratory and he believed the Council had a duty to do what it could to make sure Manchester residents had air that was fit to breath.

 

Decisions

 

The Executive:-

 

(1)      Note the progress of the Greater Manchester Clean Air Plan.

 

(2)      Note the progress in the distribution of Bus Retrofit funding.

 

(3)      Note Ministers’ agreement to include the sections of the A628/A57 in Tameside which form part of the Strategic Road Network within the Greater Manchester’s Clean Air Zone (CAZ) and their request for Tameside MBC, TfGM and Highways England to establish the most appropriate solution for the charging mechanism to be applied on this section of the Strategic Road Network (SRN).

 

(4)      Approve the GM Clean Air Plan Policy as set out at Appendix 1 of the report, noting that the policy outlines the boundary, discounts, exemptions, daily charges of the Clean Air Zone as well as the financial support packages offered towards upgrading to a compliant vehicle, including the eligibility criteria to be applied.

 

(5)      Note the Equalities Impact Assessment, as set out at Appendix 2 of the report.

 

(6)      Note the AECOM Consultation Report, as set out at Appendix 3 of the report;

 

(7)      Agree the proposed Response to the Consultation which has been prepared by TfGM on behalf of the ten GM local authorities, as set out at Appendix 4 of the report.

 

(8)      Note the Impacts of COVID-19 Report, as set out at Appendix 5 of the report.

 

(9)      Agree the Modelling report of the final CAP package, as set out at Appendix 6 of the report, and in particular that the modelling outputs of the final plan scheme show the achievement of compliance with the legal limits for Nitrogen Dioxide in the shortest possible time and by 2024 at the latest as required by the Ministerial Direction.

 

(10)   Note the economic implications of the CAP Report, as set out at Appendix 7 of the report.

 

(11)   Note the update on the GM Minimum  ...  view the full minutes text for item 77.

78.

Places for Everyone pdf icon PDF 419 KB

Report of the Director of City Centre Growth and Infrastructure attached

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Executive considered a report of the Director of City Centre Growth & Infrastructure, which sought approval for the consultation on the publication stage of the Places for Everyone Publication Plan (PfE) pursuant to Regulation 19 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012. Consultation on the plan will commence no earlier than 9 August 2021 running for a period of eight weeks.

 

The PfE2021 plan included specific policies and allocations that directly related to Manchester including:

 

·                Delivery of a minimum of around 56,500 new homes; and over 2.3 million square metres of office floorspace in Manchester by 2037;

·                Policies to deliver growth and regeneration across the City

·                Seeking to achieve a carbon neutral city no later than 2038;

·                Policies across a range of other themes including flood risk, water resources, air quality, economic and housing matters, heritage, culture, education and skills, health, and sport and recreation; and

·                Specific allocations identified in the plan for Manchester for new jobs at the airport and Wythenshawe Hospital.

 

It was reported that the former GMSF plan also included a proposed allocation for housing at Southwick Park.  This allocation had been removed from the PfE2021 as a result of further work on Manchester’s land supply following the revised local housing need figure published in December 2020.

 

Decisions

 

The Executive:-

 

(1)      Approve the Places for Everyone Publication Plan 2021, including strategic site allocations and green belt boundary amendments, and reference to the potential use of compulsory purchase powers to assist with site assembly, and the supporting background documents, for publication pursuant to Regulation 19 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 for an 8 week period for representations to begin not earlier than 9 August 2021.

 

(2)      Delegates authority to the Director of Planning, Building Control and Licensing,  in consultation with the Executive Member for Housing and Employment, to approve the relevant Statement of Common Ground(s) required pursuant to the National Planning Policy Framework 2019.

79.

Ardwick Green NDF Addendum pdf icon PDF 445 KB

Report of the Interim Director of Housing and Residential Growth attached

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Executive considered a report of the Interim Director of Housing and Residential Growth, which informed Members of the outcome of a public consultation exercise involving local residents, businesses and other stakeholders, relating to a Draft Extension to the Neighbourhood Development Framework (NDF) for the Ardwick Green area.  The report sought approval of a final version of the Extension to the NDF, which has been adjusted to take account of the consultation undertaken.

 

The majority of the stakeholders who responded to the consultation expressed their overall support for the draft NDF Extension, believing that appropriate development and preservation of the heritage aspects of the neighbourhood would enhance the neighbourhood

 

Subject to endorsement, there were some important next steps that needed to take place to ascertain the best way of implementing the ambitions of this NDF Extension:-

 

·                Undertaking  further detailed design and feasibility work on the opportunities presented by Higher Ardwick, including an assessment of landownerships and engaging with existing landowners and businesses, to provide a sensible way forward to bringing about positive comprehensive change in this area; and

·                Working with Historic England and Manchester City Council’s Conservation Officer to understand the extent of the existing Ellen Wilkinson High School Grade II* listing (Nicholls Campus main building) and identify opportunities to introduce new buildings around the Grade II listed building through an assessment of key views and massing studies, and the feasibility for converting the buildings

 

If approved, the NDF Extension would act as a material consideration in the determination of subsequent planning applications that fell within its scope.

 

Decisions

 

The Executive

 

(1)      Note the outcome of the public consultation on the draft Extension to the NDF for Ardwick Green and subsequent revisions to the NDF Extension as set out in Appendix 1 of the report.

 

(2)      Approve the Extension to the NDF for Ardwick Green, noting that it will then act as a material consideration for the Local Planning Authority when assessing future planning applications within the NDF and NDF Extension area.

 

(3)      Agree that the Interim Director of Housing and Residential Growth, working in conjunction with colleagues in other Directorates, undertakes the programme of work outlined in the next steps (section 5) of this report to ascertain the best way of implementing the ambitions of the Extension to the Ardwick Green NDF.

80.

Removal of Elizabeth Yarwood Court from the Brunswick PFI contract (Part A) pdf icon PDF 325 KB

Report of the Head of Development and Head of Housing Services attached

Minutes:

The Executive considered a report of the Head of Development and Head of Housing Services, which sought approval for the removal of Elizabeth Yarwood Court from the Brunswick Housing Private Finance Initiative (PFI) contract and reposition its development in line with the wider Upper Brook Street proposals.

 

It was reported that removal of the site would result in a compensation event under the PFI contract.  The cost to the Council of triggering this would be negotiated with the PFI Contractor and payment would be made through the HRA in the first instance and then the site would be transferred to the General Fund, at an appropriate value subject to capital approvals process. The costs of the transfer would be subject to a separate capital approval, once they were fully assessed.  It was anticipated that the Council would be able to recoup any initial outlay from a disposal of the site to support the overarching redevelopment.

 

It was note that relevant Executive Members and Ardwick ward members have been consulted on this proposal and have given their support.

 

The Leader commented that until the framework for the Upper Brook Street sites could be finalised and consulted upon and development brought forward for consideration by the Council, the Homelessness Service proposed to use the now vacant Elizabeth Yarwood Court sheltered accommodation building to support hospital discharge for vulnerable residents up to the point when the site could be considered for redevelopment

 

Decisions

 

The Executive:-

 

(1)     Approve in principle the withdrawal of the site including Elizabeth Yarwood Court from the Brunswick PFI contract.

 

(2)     Delegate authority to the Deputy Chief Executive & City Treasurer and Head of Housing Services in consultation with the Deputy Leader for Finance and Executive Member for Housing and Employment to negotiate and conclude the financial terms of the compensation event.

 

(3)     Note the proposed temporary use of the site by Homelessness as outlined in the report.

 

(4)     Delegate authority to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Leader and Deputy Leader (Finance) to agree the disposal strategy and market the site for disposal.

 

(5)     Delegate authority to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Leader and Deputy Leader (Finance) to finalise the terms for the disposal of the land.

 

(6)     Delegate authority to the City Solicitor to conclude all documentation to give effect to the above recommendations.

81.

Exclusion of the Public

Officers consider that the following item or items contains exempt information as provided for in the Local Government Access to Information Act and that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information. The Executive is recommended to agree the necessary resolutions excluding the public from the meeting during consideration of these items. At the time this agenda is published no representations have been made that this part of the meeting should be open to the public.

Minutes:

Decision

 

The Executive agrees to exclude the public during consideration of the following item which involved consideration of exempt information relating to the financial or business affairs of particular persons and public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

82.

Removal of Elizabeth Yarwood Court from the Brunswick PFI contract (Part B)

Report of the Head of Development and Head of Housing Services attached

Minutes:

The Executive considered a report of the Head of Development and Head of Housing Services, which detailed the estimated cost of compensation and projected land values associated with the withdrawal of Elizabeth Yarwood Court from the Brunswick PFI contract.

 

Decision

 

The Executive note the estimated cost of compensation and projected land values.