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

Decision

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

Report of the City Solicitor attached

The Executive considered  a report of the City Solicitor, which sought Executive to note the decision of the Leader of the Council to delegate all of the Council’s executive functions to the Executive and endorse the decision of the Leader of the Council to arrange for the discharge of all of the Council’s executive functions recorded at Part 3, Sections A and F of the Council’s November 2022 Constitution.

Decisions

The Executive:-

(1)       Notes the decision of the Leader of the Council to exercise the power under Section 9E(2) of the Local Government Act 2000 to delegate the discharge of all of the Council’s executive functions to the Executive;

(2)       Notes and endorses the decision of the Leader of the Council to delegate to officers the discharge of all of the Council’s executive functions recorded at Part 3, Sections A and F of the Council’s November 2022 Constitution as set out in the revised versions of those sections presented to Council at its meeting on 30 November 2022; and

(3)       In relation to the Scheme of Delegation to Officers set out in Part 3, Section F of the Council’s November 2022 Constitution, note that such delegations of executive functions include those functions that are designated as “Executive Functions” and those functions that are designated as “General Functions” insofar as these are executive functions.

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 Executive Member for Children, Young People and Families reported that Manchester had been accepted by UNICEF UK onto their Child Friendly City programme. It was hoped in the coming months this would culminate with Manchester being internationally recognised as a child friendly city by the organisation.    In order to be recognised the city would need to show evidence of sustainable progress in six different ‘badges’ - areas that children and young people think Manchester should prioritise to help make the city more child-friendly.  Progress on this would be closely monitored by an independent panel of experts in human rights, child well-being and public services, as well as an advisory board of local children and young people.

The Deputy Leader reported that responses to a consultation asking residents for their views on the Council’s updated Anti-Poverty strategy were currently being analysed.  With poverty remaining a significant problem across the city, the reworked strategy took account of the impacts of the health and economic challenges which highlight and exacerbate poverty. Whereas previously the focus was on families with children, this has been expanded to include all households.              The proposed strategy, which reflects input from earlier consultations with organisations and residents, would help tackle poverty over the next five years.

The Executive Member for Growth and Development reported that building works in Newton Heath to deliver 69 zero and low carbon social homes on Council-owned land had reached their highest point, as some of the new homes near completion.  The Silk Street project was bringing a long-term brownfield site back into use and already 20 of the houses had been built with solar panels fitted and were currently receiving the finishing touches. Each of the homes would be zero carbon on completion.  The first completions were expected in spring next year with the first residents moving in shortly afterwards.

Councillor Leech enquired as to whether discussions were taking place between the Council and developers in regards to the layout and orientation of the properties on new development sites to enable all properties to benefit from solar power.

The Deputy Leader (Statutory) reported that earlier this month Manchester marked the fifth anniversary of becoming a UNESCO City of Literature. Over the last five years, the Council along with the city’s universities and literary community had worked together to deliver a programme of events showcasing Mancunian talent and giving Manchester people the chance to take part in, and benefit from, being a City of Literature.  In that time the Manchester City of Literature Charity had raised more than £200,000 to support literature in – and from – the city. 

Decision

The Executive note the report.

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive and City Treasurer attached

The Executive considered a report of the Deputy Chief Executive and City Treasurer, which outlined the projected outturn position for 2022/23, based on the latest expenditure and income activity and future projections.

The Executive Member for Finance and Resources advised that the report identified a forecast overspend of £7.6m for 2022/23, based on activity to date and projected trends in income and expenditure, and included the ongoing financial implications of COVID-19, government funding confirmed to date and the impact of inflation and the agreed pay award on the financial position. 

The above was a substantial change from the position reported to Executive in September 2022, resulting in an improvement of £12.5m since the last report to Executive.

The previous forecast included the provisional impact of the higher pay offer for local government and was during an extremely volatile period for energy prices, predating the additional government support announced for the public sector.  Since then the actual impact of the pay award has been costed, taking into account the current level of vacancies reducing the cost by £2.2m to £7.3m.  The decision to reverse the employer 1% national insurance increase had also resulted in savings of £0.6m.  Energy prices had settled at a lower level along with some government compensation together (saving £3m) and price inflation had been mitigated where possible, reducing the budget requirement by £2.7m to £5.4m. These amounted to a £8.5m reduction in the inflation overspend. This was coupled with some improvements in the departmental position, many of which are one off and only impact the 2022/23 financial year. 

It was positive that the main demand led services of Adults, Children’s and Homelessness were underspending or breakeven, which put the Council in a better position than many other councils and reflected the investment in prevention strategies over the last few years. 

Whilst the report focused on 2022/23, the implications of COVID-19 and record levels of inflation on the Council’s cost base would have a significant impact on the Council’s finances for a number of years. With the scale of funding pressures and future resource constraints, it was  therefore vital that the Council continued with its programme of innovation and reform and developed its operating model to help tackle these challenges and keep the Council’s finances stable and sustainable. A programme of savings totalling £42m had been developed and reported to scrutiny committees in November 2022. 

Officers continued to work to reduce the overspend through identifying in year efficiencies and working with suppliers to reduce and mitigate inflation requirements and progress would be reported back to Executive in February 2023.

Councillor Leech welcomed the work of Officers in reducing inflationary pressures on the Council’s Revenue Budget and sought clarification of similar work was being undertaken to reduce inflationary pressures associated to the Council’s Capital Programme.  He also sought confirmation as to whether the Council would receive a rebate in relation to the additional profit made by the Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority (GMWDA) through the incineration of waste.  The  ...  view the full minutes text for item 108.

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.

The proposals which 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 required Executive approval for changes to the City Council’s capital programme:-

·                Public Sector Housing – Rough Sleepers Accommodation Programme (RSAP) Bring Bedsits Back in to Use.  A capital budget increase of £0.350m in 2023/24 was requested, funded by £0.141m Government Grant and £0.209m RCCO from HRA Reserve to refurbish and bring back into use 11 of bedsits to be utilised as Move On homes.

·                Growth and Development - Land at Withington Road.  A capital budget decrease of £0.160m was requested in 2022/23 and approval of a corresponding transfer of £0.160m to the revenue budget, funded by Capital Fund to remove a restrictive covenant currently in favour of Barnardo’s (previously The Tatton Estate), that potentially limits or prevents development that could take place.

·                Highways Services - Manchester to Chorlton Cycleway Area 3A and 3B.  A capital budget increase of £2.035m is requested, funded by External Contribution to deliver a significant improvement in the provision of infrastructure for cyclists, whilst also improving the walking environment through making junctions safer to cross and improving the public realm.

Councillor Leech queried whether the land at Withington Road would contain any affordable Housing in its development.  The Executive Member for Finance and Resources advise that it was too early to determine what would be developed on Withington Road however the Council’s ambitions for the city was to build affordable housing for Manchester residents and once the restricted covenant was removed discussions could take place as to what could be delivered on the land.

The report highlighted that if the recommendations in the report were approved the General Fund capital budget would increase by £2.225m across financial years which would also result in an increase in the prudential indicator for Capital Expenditure in corresponding years.

There had also been increases to the programme totalling £0.150m as a result of delegated approvals since the previous report to the Executive on 16 November 2022. The increase related to Highfield Country Park S106. The scheme would utilise the S106 for the benefit of local residents in improving the services within the vicinity of Highfield Country Park in the ward of Levenshulme as set out within the general obligations of the agreement.

Decisions

The Executive:-

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

·                Public Sector Housing – Rough Sleepers Accommodation Programme (RSAP) - Bring Bedsits Back in to Use. A capital budget increase of £0.350m, funded by £0.141m Government Grant and £0.209m RCCO from HRA  ...  view the full minutes text for item 109.

Report of the Strategic Director (Growth and Development) attached

The Executive considered a report of the Strategic Director Growth and Development), which provided details of a draft framework for the East Village area of the Manchester Piccadilly Strategic Regeneration Framework (SRF) and sought endorsement in principle of the draft East Village Central Framework and sought agreement for a public consultation exercise to be undertaken on the draft East Village Central Framework.

The Executive Member for Growth and Development report that the draft Framework would help to guide development in a way that reflected the physical and locational characteristics, meet the objectives and principles within the Manchester Piccadilly SRF, complement developments in adjacent neighbourhoods  and support future growth.

The East Village area included 2 primary landowners. The draft framework had been produced in order to ensure that the area was developed in an appropriate and holistic manner in the future across all plots within the site

Furtherrmore the draft Framework was an addendum to the Manchester Piccadilly SRF. It represented a major strategic opportunity capable of delivering extensive and comprehensive redevelopment, close to a major transport hub. It had been prepared in order to shape and realise the city’s ambitions to regenerate and transform the neighbourhood surrounding Piccadilly Station, with connected open spaces and public realm and a distinctive sense of place. The successful delivery of the draft framework would create a new vibrant, commercially-led, mixed use neighbourhood and community, boosting growth and new jobs. The development would be highly connected, functionally and physically, to the wider city centre and adjoining regeneration priority areas and will complement the arrival of HS2 and Norther Powerhouse Rail.

Decisions

The Executive:-

(1)       Endorse in principle, the proposals set out in the draft East Village Central Framework which is an addendum to the Manchester Piccadilly Strategic Regeneration Framework (SRF);

(2)       Request the Chief Executive undertake a public consultation exercise on the draft East Village Central Framework with local residents, businesses and other stakeholder; and

(3)       Agree that a further report be brought forward, following the public consultation exercise, for consideration by the Executive which sets out the comments received.

Report of the Strategic Director (Growth & Development) attached

The Executive considered a report of the Strategic Director Growth and Development), which provided details of a draft addendum to the Strategic Regeneration Framework (SRF) for Manchester Science Park (MSP).   It also updated the development principles across the SRF area to reflect the Council’s target to be net zero carbon by 2035.

The Executive Member for Growth and Development advised that the addendum responded to the opportunity that had arisen for a proposed relocation of an internationally significant health research resource to Manchester Science Park. It related specifically to a site currently occupied by the Greenheys Building and adjacent car park, located within and to the north-west of the framework area. This latest update reflected increased ambitions for the area, following on from the ongoing success of MSP in establishing a world-class science park. The key principles underpinning the March 2014 MSP SRF, and the subsequent 2018 update, were carried forward into the 2022 addendum, and had been updated to provide a new emphasis on climate change, biodiversity, green and blue infrastructure. 

It was noted that assets within Manchester Science Park and the wider Oxford Road Corridor area were vital to capture the commercial potential of research and innovation.  The proposal would deliver several wider strategic and economic benefits including supporting academic advances in the Life Sciences sector; supporting growth in number of SMEs and start-ups in the city; driving clustering and agglomeration; building on Manchester’s research strengths; raising Manchester’s international profile; and creating new talent and graduate employment opportunities. It also represented an opportunity for the city to build upon the further development of its network of alliances and partnerships throughout the world. 

Decisions

The Executive:-

(1)       Approve in principle the draft Manchester Science Park SRF Addendum;

(2)       Request the Strategic Director to undertake a public consultation exercise on the addendum with local stakeholders;  

(3)       Agree that a further report be brought back to the Executive, following the public consultation exercise, setting out comments received.

Report of the Strategic Director (Growth and Development) attached

The Executive considered a report of the Strategic Director Growth and Development), which provided details an updated Strategic Regeneration Framework (SRF) for the former Central Retail Park site, and sought approval of the Framework in principle, subject to public consultation.

The Leader reported that the redevelopment of the Former Central Retail Park was a long-standing strategic priority for the city and identified for development in previous planning documents, including the Ancoats and New Islington Neighbourhood Development Framework (2016) and Development Frameworks prepared for the Central Retail Park site in 2015 and more recently in 2020.

The 2020 Development Framework had now been reviewed to reflect the current market position and positively respond to the latest market requirements to provide purpose-built offices and high-quality facilities for workers.

A new Strategic Regeneration Framework had been produced, which built on many of the key design principles set out in the in the 2020 Framework, to provide a comprehensive approach to the future redevelopment of the site, supporting the Council’s aspirations to drive economic growth through the provision of new high-quality Grade A offices to attract new companies to Manchester, surrounded by attractive and accessible public realm. 

The updated SRF also responded to a potential interest from the Government Property Agency (GPA) to locate government offices on the site and work collaboratively with the Council to help unlock this development opportunity. Were GPA to commit to offices at the Former Central Retail Park, this would provide the catalyst to deliver the masterplan and provide socio-economic benefits, including new high-quality jobs.

Councillor M Dar addressed the Committee as Ward Councillor for Ancoats and Beswick.  He welcome the revised SRF proposals as it took on board the concerns of the Ward Councillors and residents of Ancoats and Beswick in relation to the original SF and he welcomed the public consultation on the new proposals.

Councillor Leech welcomed the revised SRF proposals.  He sought clarification as to whether the propose open space would be classified as a park and whether it would be publicly maintained by the Council.  He also sought assurance that should the proposals in relation to GPA not come to fruition would there still be a commitment to include green space in the proposals.  The Strategic Director (Growth and Development) confirmed that the proposed open space would be public space but it was not possible at the present moment to determine the management arrangements for this space.  The site was a key strategic location for the city that had significant interest from third parties and as such the Council was confident there would be demand for the site including accessible public realm.

Decisions

The Executive:-

(1)      Approve in principle the proposals set out in the draft updated Former Central Retail Park Strategic Regeneration Framework (SRF).

(2)      Request the Strategic Director to undertake a public consultation exercise on the draft updated Former Central Retail Park Strategic Regeneration Framework (SRF); with local residents, businesses and other stakeholders.

(3)      Agree that a further report be brought back  ...  view the full minutes text for item 112.

Report of the Director of Planning, Building Control and Licensing attached

The Executive considered a report of the Strategic Director (Growth and Development), which sought approval to declare Kenworthy Woods as a Local Nature Reserve (LNR).

The Executive Member for Environment reported that the Council’s new Biodiversity Strategy had, amongst others an objective to protect and recover biodiversity. One of the key ways to achieve this objective was to increase the number of Local Nature Reserves in Manchester.  There were currently eight Local Nature Reserves in Manchester all of which had benefitted from the designation through increased public usage by local and regional visitors. These sites are nationally recognised by Natural England and other nature conservation organisations such as Lancashire Wildlife Trust

The designation of LNR status for Kenworthy Woods would help to establish the long-term maintenance and raise the profile of the site.  The designation would also offer opportunities for funding as it reinforced Manchester’s commitment to nature conservation and recreation. The location of the proposed LNR within the Mersey Valley also meant that the designation supported the ambition set out across a range of objectives in the City’s Our River Our City Strategy, providing increased opportunity for increased practical action, community engagement and awareness raising. Natural England had confirmed their informal support for the declaration of LNR status for the site.

Decisions

The Executive:-

(1)       To declare the area shown outlined on the “Location map of Kenworthy Woods” (Appendix 1) as the Kenworthy Woods Local Nature Reserve.

(2)       Note officers are to consult formally with Natural England on the declaration.

(3)       To instruct the City Solicitor (subject to the above) to prepare the formal declaration document as necessary.

Report of the Strategic Director (Growth and Development) attached

The Executive considered a report of the Strategic Director (Growth and Development), which sought approval of the draft Manchester Electric Vehicle Charging Strategy.

The Executive Member for Environment and Transport advised that the Government’s Taking Charge Strategy published earlier this year sought an obligation on local authorities to develop and implement local charging strategies to consider how to best assist in the delivery of an accessible public charging network. The Manchester Electric Vehicle Charging Strategy (MEVCS) had been developed to meet this requirement and to set out the Council’s main focus for the provision of EV charging infrastructure within the city. 

The main focus of the strategy was in relation to public charging although it did note that the Council also had a role to play in transitioning its own vehicle fleet, encouraging growth through planning requirements for new developments and in generally raising awareness as well.

It was proposed that the council would assist in facilitating the installation of supplier owned, funded (possibly utilising existing grant funding opportunities), maintained and operated EV charging infrastructure within its own car parks and at facilities with parking such as leisure centres, parks, libraries, etc. These were proposed to be predominantly ‘fast’ chargers which would allow users of the car parks to top up their batteries and, where the car parks were operational 24h hours a day, may also allow for overnight charging by residents. It was also proposed that the Council could consider leasing small parcels of land for the development of charging hubs made up predominantly of ultra-rapid and rapid chargepoints which may be more suitable for those drivers with higher mileage requirements and for those who are more likely to charge when the battery levels are very low.

The draft strategy was not proposing the introduction of on-street public chargepoints at this time although it was considered that such locations may be suitable for particular groups such as taxis/PHVs as well as car club vehicles. There were a number of reasons for this including potential damage, pavement obstructions, visual street clutter, etc. Whilst technology did exist to connect EV chargepoints to lamp posts, the majority of lamp posts in the district were located at the back of the pavement and it was not considered appropriate to trail cables across the footway. Connecting the lamp post to a charging bollard at the kerbside could again cause issues of street clutter and pavement obstructions and would be a more costly solution. Lamp post chargepoints were also slow chargers generally operating at around the 3kW range which was now slower than many home chargers that could be purchased.

Councillor Leech stated that one of the largest challenges in trying to get residents to move to using electric vehicles was the ability to provide off street charging.  He sought clarification as to whether consideration was going to be given to charging facilities from the footway for terraced properties.  The Strategic Director (Growth and Development) state that theissue of off street parking for terraced properties  ...  view the full minutes text for item 114.

Report of the Strategic Director (Neighbourhoods) attached

The Executive considered a report of the Strategic Director (Neighbourhoods), which set out the outcome from the design and development work to the proposed Youth, Play and Participation Service’s commissioning process and framework including timescales for the implementation of the proposed new arrangements.

The Deputy Leader (Statutory) reported that In March 2021, Executive agreed several actions to build stronger and more effective arrangements for youth and play services to improve the outcomes for children and young people.  The Youth and Play Commissioning Arrangements were presented to Executive in October 2021 and set out the principles of an alternative delivery model and the need to establish a revised Commissioning Framework to be designed and developed.  Since April 2022, the Youth, Play and Participation service had been developing the Commissioning Framework.

The Council currently granted annual funding of £1.6m to Manchester’s voluntary and community sector (VCS) to deliver youth, play and participation services. It was proposed and agreed in 2021 that the Council would administer the budget going forward, and that the budget would remain unchanged. The proposals set out in the report sought to protect the current levels of investment and to direct those funds in line with the proposed new commissioning arrangements as set out in the main body of the report.

The proposed new framework would build on the existing strengths and progress made over the last few years. It would aim to reduce operational overheads and seek to remove duplication. It was anticipated that more funding would reach grassroots organisations who were working directly with children and young people and would encourage and support applications from new and diverse non-white organisations that were not usually represented in the VCS. 

Decision

The Executive agree the proposed new commissioning framework.

Report of the Strategic Director (Neighbourhoods) attached

The Executive considered a report of the Strategic Director (Neighbourhoods), which sought approval of a policy for the targeted placement of CCTV cameras across the city to ensure they are used effectively and in line with government guidance.

The Deputy Leader (Statutory) reported that the Council’s CCTV Code of Practice reflects the Home Office Surveillance Camera Code of Practice and updated ICO Data Protection Code of Practice for surveillance cameras and personal information.  It references the Home Office’s Surveillance Camera Code of Practice, prepared in accordance with section 29 of the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 and lists the guiding principles contained within it.

Historically CCTV cameras had bee installed in the city for different of reasons, including investment in an area through regeneration, or in response to crime or anti-social behaviour in an area. This meant that there were significant disparities of coverage across the city that do not correspond to a pressing need.  To ensure the Council was complying with the requirements of the codes of practice, and to address the discrepancies in the CCTV coverage of the city, a review of Public Space CCTV Cameras in their current locations had been proposed.

Significant investment had also been made to upgrade the CCTV system in the city in recent years including the upgrade to the platform in 2018 and this year would see £618k investment in upgrading 169 cameras that were over 7 years old.  Additional funds had also been secured to expand the number of fly tipping cameras that could be deployed across the city to address areas that were subjected to sustained fly tipping.

An initial review of effectiveness of all cameras would take place on approval for the policy so new replacement cameras were fitted in compliance with the guidance.  There would also be regular opportunities to review whether the CCTV cameras were legitimate and addressing the areas with the greatest need, in accordance with the defined criteria

The policy had been drafted in line with legislative requirements with a particular focus on demonstrating whether each of the CCTV cameras operated by the Council met a pressing need and also achieved the specific purpose(s) for which they were being used. Where the proposed Review's finding was that a camera did not meet that criterion, it  would recommend the camera was moved to a different location where its use was justified.

Decision

The Executive Approve the Policy and Procedure for legitimacy and effectiveness of CCTV in the city.