Report and presentation of the Strategic Director (Growth and Development)

This report and presentation provide an update on the main announcements from the Statement, focusing on those which have a direct implication for the remit of the Committee.  

The Committee received a report and presentation of the Strategic Director (Growth and Development) which provided an update on the main announcements from the Statement, focusing on those which had a direct implication for the remit of the Committee.

Key points and themes within the report and presentation included:

• An overview of the Autumn Budget;
• Key announcements for Manchester and for local authorities;
• Economic growth;
• Business;
• Regeneration;
• Housing;
• Transport and highways; and
• Work and skills.

Key points and queries that arose from the Committee’s discussions included:

• To broadly welcome the budget statement from the Government;
• Asking the Executive Members present for their views on the impact within their areas of responsibility;
• The impact of changes to National Insurance;
• The Single Settlement and ensuring that Manchester received a fair share;
• Business rates;
• Whether there would be funding for infrastructure to support economic growth, including energy infrastructure;
• Rail services, following the decision on HS2;
• Concern that the investment in walking and cycling infrastructure would not be sufficient;
• The Apprenticeship Levy;
• Affordable housing; and
• To welcome the additional funding for colleges.

The Head of City Policy reported that it was currently too early to provide an accurate analysis of what the changes to National Insurance would mean for the city but that this would be analysed.  He confirmed that the Council would be making a submission to the business rates review.  He reported that the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero had had a significant increase in their budget but that it was not yet known what the impact would be on the energy infrastructure for Manchester.  He advised that reform to the Apprenticeship Levy was welcomed but that the Council would need to see the details of this.

The Strategic Director (Growth and Development) reported that the city would continue to make the case for the rail infrastructure that the north needed and that it was likely that there would be more information on this in the spending review in the spring.  She reported that the confirmation of the Greater Manchester Single Settlement was welcomed, although there were some risks, and she advised that positive discussions were taking place at a Greater Manchester level on the prioritisation of investment, as well as separate discussions with the national Government on some of the larger projects across the city region, such as Victoria North.  In response to a question from the Chair, she reported that preparations were already underway for the spring spending review and that a submission would be made in advance with an integrated offer and ask for Manchester, including growth, housing delivery, meeting the net zero challenge, transport and public service reform, with an emphasis on prevention.

The Executive Member for Housing and Development welcomed the additional funding for the Affordable Homes Programme.  He also welcomed the changes on Right To Buy, which he advised would reduce the amount of social housing which was lost, although he reported that the Council would continue to call for further reform.  He also welcomed the retention of levelling up funding for Wythenshawe and that councils would no longer have to compete against one another for regeneration funding. 

The Executive Member for Clean Air, Environment and Transport reported that all additional funding was welcomed and, while the additional £100m investment in cycling and walking infrastructure would not go far when spread across the country, it should not be viewed in isolation.  She informed Members that the Council knew where improvements were most needed and had projects in the pipeline ready to maximise funding opportunities.

The Executive Member for Skills, Employment and Leisure stated that he welcomed funding for work and skills and advised that of particular importance was the continuing devolution of decision-making so that funding could be deployed to meet the needs of the city.  He reported that further details were needed on the announcements in the Autumn Statement and that the Council was having ongoing discussions with the national Government on a range of issues, including post-16 education.

Decision:

To note the report and presentation.