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 Housing and Development reported that funding had been approved to decarbonise and upgrade more than 2,000 homes in the city’s biggest ever sustainable homes investment programme.  £49.7m would be invested in 1,603 Council-owned homes to improve sustainability through a range of works, which included better property and roof insulation, solar panelling, new boilers or heating systems, and air and ground source heat pumps.  Currently, the grant funding was limited to properties rated EPC D or below with the expectation that the measures would improve most properties to EPC C rating and to EPC B in some cases.  The programme of work would begin later in 2023 and would be completed by March 2025.

He also reported on the launch of the public consultation on the draft strategic regeneration framework for the new £1.7bn innovation district ID Manchester.  The newly published draft Strategic Regeneration Framework (SRF) set out the scale, ambition and opportunities that ID Manchester could bring to the city and included a series of place-based principles that would guide detailed plans for development and future planning applications. Once completed, ID Manchester would create over 10,000 new jobs and bring significant economic, social and environmental benefits to the city.  The public consultation would run until 8 September with feedback reported to the Council.

He further reported on This City, the Council-owned housing development company, marked its first start on site earlier this month as construction had began on 128 new low carbon homes at Rodney Street, Ancoats.  The development would include 118 apartments across two buildings (a mix of 27 one bed and 91 two bed homes), alongside 10 town houses (eight three bed and two four bed homes) - and would overlook an improved and expanded Ancoats Green.  The Rodney Street development would benefit from a wider £32m investment package funded by Homes England in this part of Ancoats, helping to unlock 1,500 new homes and bring the 20-year regeneration story of the area to a close.  This included major investment in Ancoats Green that bordered the This City development site alongside new public realm that would connect the community to the green space, the new Ancoats Mobility Hub, and the surrounding neighbourhoods.  

The Deputy Leader reported on the continuation of support to residents over the summer in relation to the cost-of-living crisis.  A new leaflet had been created which set out the range of support that was on offer over the summer.  The Council had also set up dedicated webpages both for financial support as well as the Helping Hands platform which set out a wealth of information for people in need.  This continued support played a part in the recently announced Making Manchester Fairer initiative, which was at the forefront of Council policy looking at how systemic inequalities in the city could not only be addressed, but reversed.

The Deputy Executive Member for Early Years, Children and young People, reported that more than eight thousand copies of the same book were being given to all final year primary school children in Manchester this summer to help them settle into their new high schools in September and keep them reading over summer.  Pupils would also get a special workbook full of fun, practical activities and challenges related to the book, as part of the shared learning project for pupils as they make their move from primary school.  The Year 6 transition read for primary pupils was part of the broader five-year action plan called Making Manchester Fairer, which aimed to address inequalities in the city that can start early on in life and even affect how long people live for, and their opportunities around work and housing..  The Deputy Executive Member for Skills, Culture and Leisure also reported that all Manchester Libraries were participating in the summer reading challenge

The Deputy Executive Member for Resources and Finance reported on the good work being undertaken through the Council’s Social Value strategy, with specific reference to the construction of the new Co-op  Belle Vue Academy in east Manchester.  In total 58 jobs were created, 43% of them going to Manchester residents, and 18 apprenticeships. The project also hosted eight T-level students from Manchester College and 16 work experience placements. Six candidates from Ingeus’ Restart Scheme, which supported people looking to take the first step into employment in construction, were also hosted for week-long trials. All six went on to find employment.  In addition the project raised approximately £10,000 for local community groups.  The project had delivered a social return on investment of £1.8m and it had generated an economic impact of £30m for the wider area.

The Executive Member for Environment and Transport reported that the Council had secured the future of Station South, a much-loved community asset in Levenshulme after agreeing to purchase its freehold.  The purchase had been carried out in support of Station South’s long-term presence in the area and to ensure that they could continue to deliver their services within the community.  Station South had become an important fixture in the neighbourhood, providing a community space for people who cycle as well as other amenities through their café and bar.  The move reflected the Council’s commitment to supporting cycling as a sustainable transport option which could also play a role in a healthier lifestyle.

Decision

The Executive note the report.