Report of the Director of City Centre Growth and Infrastructure attached

This report provides Committee Members with a further update summary of the current situation in the city in relation to COVID 19 and an update on the work progressing in Manchester in relation to areas within the remit of this Committee.

The Committee considered the report of the Director of City Centre Growth and  Infrastructure that provided Members with a further update summary of the current situation in the city in relation to COVID-19 and an update on the work progressing in Manchester in relation to areas within the remit of this Committee. 

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

·                Were there plans in place to build upon the reported Post Pandemic Business Activity event that had been scheduled for 12 May 2021;

·                Suggesting that some of the initiatives introduced as a result of the pandemic, such as the pedestrianisation of specific streets should be made permanent;

·                What were the factors contributing to the reported high staff vacancy rates across the hospitality sector;

·                Clarification was sought in relation to the planned Transport Hub identified for delivery in the Ancoats area, noting that there appeared to be a lot of misinformation relating to this scheme being circulated;

·                Implications of the Queen’s Speech in regard to local Planning controls;

·                Had appropriate communication with local businesses been undertaken to ensure that they accessed all available support grants during the pandemic; and

·                Was there a commitment that local people would benefit from the job opportunities that were created through the delivery of the Co Op Live development in east Manchester.

The Head of Environment, Planning and Infrastructure stated that the delivery of the Ancoats Mobility Hub was aligned to, and an element of, the City Centre Transport Strategy and contributed to the delivery of Manchester’s climate, transport and clean air commitments.

The Director of Inclusive Economy advised the Members that the delivery of the Co Op Live development would deliver employment opportunities for local residents and the developers would be attending a local recruitment event in July to promote this to promote this. In response to the question regarding the hospitality sector contributing factors were Brexit, some people finding alternative employment while venues have been closed, and a reduction in the number of students in the city as a result of the pandemic. She stated that work was underway to understand and assess the impact of these factors. She stated that influence was sought over the hospitality sector to improve terms and conditions with such initiatives as the Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter. 

The Director of Inclusive Economy stated that direct contact had been made with local business to ensure that they accessed all means of grant support and local discretionary schemes available during the pandemic, adding this had been undertaken by telephone and letter using the information available on the Business Rates system and these contacts were followed up. In reply to a specific question relating to ESF ‘Step Ahead’ grants, the Director stated that she would circulate this information following the meeting.

The Leader stated that following the ending of the emergency legislation introduced in response to the pandemic, consideration would be given to making permanent some of the changes to remove traffic from streets and parking arrangements, adding that these would be subject to appropriate consultation. In response to the question regarding planning and the recent announcements in the Queen’s speech, the Leader stated that Manchester would continue to retain influence and control over future developments across the city.

Decision

The Committee note the report.