Report of the Director of Inclusive Economy and Strategic Lead Policy and Partnerships attached

This report provides an overview of the Marmot Build Back Fairer report focusing on housing, unemployment and transport in Manchester, in line with the remit of the Committee. The report discusses the impact of COVID-19 on housing, unemployment and transport in the city, relative to health inequalities, and outlines Manchester’s response to recommendations in the Build Back Fairer report

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Inclusive Economy and Strategic Lead Policy and Partnerships that provides an overview of the Marmot Build Back Fairer report focusing on housing, unemployment and transport in Manchester, in line with the remit of the Committee. The report discussed the impact of COVID-19 on housing, unemployment and transport in the city, relative to health inequalities, and outlined Manchester’s response to recommendations in the Build Back Fairer report. 

Key points and themes in the report included:

·                Providing and introduction and background;

·                Describing the impact of COVID-19 in a Manchester context;

·                Noting that The Marmot report detailed the disproportionately negative impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had in Greater Manchester;

·                Describing the factors that had affected the inequalities in infection and mortality from COVID-19 in Greater Manchester;

·                Noting that Manchester’s residents had been disproportionately negatively impacted by the pandemic. 

·                Describing a range of factors such as Housing, Work and Unemployment, Transport and Active Travel in a Manchester context and describing the associated The Build Back Fairer report summaries; and

·                Providing information relating to the Marmot Report Framework and Recommendations and detailing the Manchester’s response to these Recommendations.

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

·                The need to retrofit domestic properties, particularly those in the Private Rented Sector;

·                The need to protect tenants from eviction if they did complain about disrepair in their privately rented accommodation;

·                The need to promote the Good Employment Charter, noting the impact that good quality employment could have on a person’s outcomes;

·                The call for improved and affordable public transport to connect residents with employment and training opportunities;

·                What metrics and timescales would be used to measure progress against the Marmot Recommendations;

·                Noting that the Marmot Review and Recommendations was a tool that could be used to demonstrate to the Government the need for appropriate levels of funding to address the identified inequalities;

·                Welcoming the recognition that being in good work was usually protective of health while poor quality work, stressful jobs, and unemployment, particularly long-term unemployment, contribute significantly to poor health and low wellbeing and increase the risk of mortality;

·                Consideration needed to be given to all needs of different residents, including disabled residents when considering the re-design of how major areas of the city centre would function and to reallocate space to walking and public realm;

·                More information was sought on the Anchor pilot scheme;

·                Noting that the NHS was a major employer in the city and a key partner of the Council they should use their procurement policies and scale of purchasing to deliver Social Value; and

·                The need for accessible and affordable child care places; especially for those families who were earning just above the threshold for free child care.

The Executive Member for Housing and Employment stated that COVID-19 had highlighted and exacerbated many of the health inequalities that existed in the city. He described that prior to this the city had experienced a sustained period of austerity and cuts to public service funding. He advised that the wider determinants of health, such as quality housing and employment were understood. He called upon the Government for adequate funding to be able to deliver more affordable and social housing. He advocated the need to take action to address poor practice in the Private Rented Sector using Houses in Multiple Occupation and Selective Licensing schemes. He further made reference to the Section 21 Team who would support those residents at risk of eviction from a private landlord. He concluded by reiterating that the wider determinants of health needed to be addressed such as improved public transport networks and investment in skills and training for residents and he would continue to lobby Government for a fair funding settlement.

The Director of Inclusive Economy advised the Committee that a Task Group would be established to be Chaired by the Director of Public Health to oversee the delivery of the Marmot recommendations. She described that the reporting metrics would be agreed via this group and could be shared with Members when available.

The Director of Inclusive Economy stated that the recently launched Anchors Pilot had a twin focus of supporting Manchester to become a Real Living Wage City and increasing commitment to employing local people, particularly from our more disadvantaged communities. This would further support the implementation of the Good Employment Charter and any future evolving definition of a GM quality of work guarantee.  In response to a comment regarding those areas of the city that did not have a major employer she described that they would be working for the city as a whole and not just the geographical location then were situated in, adding that in North Manchester there existed a North Manchester Business Network with good links between local smaller business and community initiatives.

The Director of Inclusive Economy acknowledged the comments regarding the NHS and the role they played in the city as a major employer. She stated that officers had spoken with their procurement teams however stated it was important to recognise that the NHS was subject to national procurement policies and guidance so had little local discretion on such matters. She advised that the local hospitals had initiated schemes and programmes to deliver training and employment opportunities for local residents.

The City Centre Growth Manager advised that work continued at a Greater Manchester (GM) level to improve public transport, especially the bus network and made reference to the Bus Service Improvement Plan, adding that the ability to franchise the bus network would present an opportunity to address the issue of fares and deliver a planned integrated service. The Chair commented that there was need to report any analysis of changes to modes of transport and travel, noting the impact of COVID-19 and emissions.

The Director of Inclusive Economy acknowledged the comment regarding the need for appropriate, affordable child care and stated that this provision is reported to the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee. The Chair stated that she would discuss this further with the Chair of that Committee.

Decision

The Committee:-

(1)      Recommends that the Executive Member for Housing and Employment lobby the Government for adequate funding to enable the retrofitting of properties in the Private Rented Sector.

(2)      Notes that the Chair will discuss with the Chair of the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee the issue of appropriate provision of affordable child care across the city.