To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 23 June 2022.

Decision

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 23 June 2022 as a correct record.

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

This report updates on progress made on the Greater Manchester Clean Air Plan policy review and seeks comments from members to inform finalisation of the review submission to government.

The Committee considered the report of the Deputy Chief Executive & City Treasurer and the City Solicitor that provided an update on progress made on the Greater Manchester Clean Air Plan (GM CAP) policy review and sought comments from Members to inform finalisation of the review submission to government.

The Committee had been invited to comment on the report prior to it being considered by the Executive.

Key points and themes in the report included:

·         Providing an introduction and background;

·         An overview of the impacts of poor air quality, noting that improving air quality was a key objective for Manchester City Council;

·         The rationale for the new plan;

·         The core objectives of the new Clean Air Plan, noting that the new GM CAP would target investment in vehicle upgrades rather than imposing daily charges;

·         Describing that the primary focus of the new plan was to achieve compliance in a way that considered the current cost of living crisis and associated economic challenges faced by businesses and residents;

·         Describing the approach to the development of the new plan;

·         NO2 exceedances forecast for the period 2023-2026 and monitoring data;

·         An overview of the changes in economic context since Summer 2021 and the emerging conclusions to changes in an economic context;

·         The changed conditions within the vehicle market;

·         Equality considerations;

·         The asks of Government, particularly the specific new ‘ask’ to remove out-of-area operation by private hire drivers/vehicles;

·         Feedback for targeted engagement undertaken to test support for the case for a new GM CAP; and

·         Next steps.

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

·         Continuing the call for an Ultra Low Emissions Zone, particularly in the city centre area;

·         Recognising the cost of compliant taxi vehicles;

·         Noting the levels of emissions from the bus fleet what was the timescale for the roll out of replacement vehicles;

·         Was the £115m earmarked for a third of the bus fleet in GM to be zero emission by 2027 sufficient;

·         What work was being done to address the issues associated with the strategic road network;

·         Fully supporting the ‘ask’ to remove out-of-area operation by private hire drivers/vehicles;

·         Clarification was sought as to the proposed use of the ANPR cameras;

·         Information was sought as to the provision of electric vehicle charging points;

·         The importance of considering this topic through the lens of public health; and

·         The importance of capturing the existing creativity and enthusiasm in the city, particularly amongst young people to inform plans to address emissions and climate change.

The Transport Strategy Director, TfGM (Transport for Greater Manchester) advised that the greater control of the regional bus fleet that would be achieved through the franchising of this service would allow for granular control of the service. He stated that the ability to control this network would address the issues associated with buses, particularly in the city centre area. He advised that the £115m referred to by the Member was additional funding above the core funding proposition.

The Transport Strategy Director, TfGM described the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 57.

Report of the Manchester Climate Change Partnership and Agency

This report provides the key contents of the 2022 Update to the Manchester Climate Change Framework (2020–2025).

The Committee considered the report of the Manchester Climate Change Partnership and Agency that described  the key contents of the 2022 Update to the Manchester Climate Change Framework (2020–2025).

Key points and themes in the report included:

·         Providing an introduction and background, noting that The Manchester Climate Change Framework (2020-25) was the city's high-level strategy for tackling climate change;

·         Manchester’s Climate Change Framework 2020-25 (the Framework) sets a science-based target for the city to reach zero carbon emissions by 2038 and sets a total carbon budget for our direct emissions, noting that the first milestone on this pathway was for the city to reduce its direct emissions by 50% by 2025;

·         The Framework was being updated to ensure it remained responsive to a changing city and evolving local and national policy, to improving data and modelling, plus to the increasing need for urgent action to tackle the climate emergency;

·         The update would include an overview of research to move the city forwards on climate adaptation and resilience; and Health and Wellbeing;

·         Information in relation to direct and indirect emissions;

·         Information on the approach to the proposed engagement with stakeholders; and

·         Next steps, noting that comments and feedback would be collated from this Committee, Manchester Climate Change Partnership members and wider city stakeholders, including residents and business and feed into the final publication, due for release in September.

To accompany the report the Committee also received a presentation that summarised the key themes of the report.

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

·         The Committee welcomed the report and accompanying presentation, noting the content was clear and concise;

·         The importance of the communications strategy to residents on the issue of climate change, particularly the use of appropriate language and terminology;

·         What was being done to engage those private sector businesses who were not currently signed up to the Partnership;

·         Had any consideration been given to enforcement activity;

·         What lessons had been learnt to date;

·         What could be done to influence the Greater Manchester Pension Fund to divest from fossil fuels;

·         Was there a Green Work and Skills strategy;

·         Had consideration been given to develop an action plan to accompany the Update to the Manchester Climate Change Framework (2020–2025); and

·         The report did not address the issues of food sustainability or biodiversity;

The Chair, Manchester Climate Change Partnership described the importance of partnership working to deliver the changes required to address climate change and keep the city with the agreed carbon budget. He stated that in Manchester there were many good practices and examples of businesses actively enacting strategies to reduce their carbon emissions, particularly in the construction industry. He stated that these examples of good practice could influence other businesses.

The Head of City Policy informed the Committee that a significant amount of work had been delivered around the issue of green skills and training and this was regularly reported to the Economy Scrutiny Committee, adding that an update report on this topic was scheduled  ...  view the full minutes text for item 58.

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive and City Treasurer

This report provides an update on progress in delivery of the Council’s Climate Change Action Plan in Quarter 1 2022-23 (April – June 2022)

The Committee considered the report of the Deputy Chief Executive and City Treasurer that provided an update on progress in delivery of the Council’s Climate Change Action Plan (CCAP) in Quarter 1 2022-23 (April – June 2022).

Key points and themes in the report included:

·         Providing an introduction and background;

·         Describing Quarter 1 Progress against individual actions within the CCAP during the first quarter of 2022-23, with the Council’s direct carbon emissions data covering the previous quarter,   in this case, January – March 2022, due to the availability of billing and data monitoring which was drawn from billing information from the previous quarter;

·         Describing key achievements; and

·         Next steps.

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

·         Information was sought on the approach to decarbonising Council owned buildings that had been leased to community groups;

·         What type of projects had been proposed to the UK Cities Climate Investment Commission;

·         Noting the recent heatwave and the importance of foliage cover and shade provided by trees, what was the policy for ensuring trees were suitable maintained during periods of extreme weather events;

·         An update was sought on the plans to deliver Large Scale Renewable Energy Generation;

·         Welcoming the appointment of a Sustainability Project Manager to deliver the Council's commitment to be Single Use Plastic Free by 2024;

·         Recognising and welcoming the Staff Travel Policy that was referred to in the report, and asking if it was appropriate to offer free city centre parking for Councillors;

·         An explanation was sought as to the reasons for the reported flight to Ireland; and

·         Why had some Councillors still not completed the Carbon Literacy Training.

The Strategic Lead, Resources & Programmes advised that there were a range of projects submitted to UK Cities Climate Investment Commission that reflected and supported the range of activities described withing the action plan, these included, but not restricted to retrofitting and energy generation. He stated that the plans to deliver Large Scale Renewable Energy Generation were still ongoing and viable options were being considered, and an update would be provided to the Committee at an appropriate time.

The Strategic Lead Policy and Parentships advised the Committee that he would enquire with the Corporate Property Team on the approach to the retrofitting of those Council owned properties leased to community groups and a briefing note would be circulated to the Committee.

The Deputy Chief Executive and City Treasurer paid tribute to all of the team involved in delivering the Climate Change Action Plan, advising that this work had been recognised nationally as an example of good practice. The Chair on behalf of the Committee supported this acknowledgement and appreciation of all staff involved in this important area of work.

The Executive Member for Environment and Transport welcomed the ongoing support and challenge of the Committee on this important area of work. She advised that a note would be provided following the meeting that described the approach to maintaining tree’s during periods of extreme weather events, noting her  ...  view the full minutes text for item 59.

Report of the Governance and Scrutiny Support Unit

This is a monthly report, which includes the recommendations monitor, relevant key decisions, the Committee’s work programme and any items for information.

The report of the Governance and Scrutiny Support Unit which contained key decisions within the Committee’s remit and responses to previous recommendations was submitted for comment. Members were also invited to agree the Committee’s future work programme.

The Chair informed the Committee that following discussions between herself and Cllr Reid, Chair of the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee it had been agreed to remove the item that was listed on the Work Programme for the November meeting as ‘Working with Schools - To receive a report on the Council’s work to support schools in relation to the climate emergency.’

The Chair was satisfied that this report sat within the remit of the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee (CYPS), further noting that the CYPS Committee had recently considered this item at their 12 January 2022 meeting.

Decision

The Committee notes the report and agrees the work programme, noting the comments above.