Agenda and decisions

That apologies be received and noted from Geoff Little (Bury), Pam Smith (Stockport Council) and Joanne Roney (Manchester City Council).

That the new Chief Executive of Salford Council, Tom Stannard be welcomed to his first meeting of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority.

To receive declarations of interest in any item for discussion at the meeting. A blank form for declaring interests has been circulated with the agenda; please ensure that this is returned to the Governance & Scrutiny Officer at the start of the meeting.

City Mayor Paul Dennett and Councillor Richard Leese declared personal prejudicial interests in relation to item 17 (GM Investment Framework: Conditional Project Approval).

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on the 29 January 2021 as a correct record.

That the minutes of the GMCA meeting held on 29 January 2021 be approved as a correct record.

·         Economy, Business Growth and Skills Overview and Scrutiny Committee – 5 February 2021 (to follow)

·         Housing, Planning and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee – 4 February 2021

1.    That the minutes of the Economy, Business Growth and Skills Overview & Scrutiny Committee held on 5 February 2021 be noted.

2.      That the minutes of the Housing, Planning and Environment Overview & Scrutiny Committee held on 4 February 2021 be noted.

Report of Councillor David Molyneux, Portfolio Lead for Resources.

That the report be noted.

Report of Andy Burnham, GM Mayor.

1.      That the Mayor’s General budget for 2021/22, together with the calculation of the precepts and Council Tax rates, set out in Appendix 4, be approved.

2.        That a MayoralGeneral Precept for 2021/22, frozen at £90.95(Band D)comprisingof£66.20 for functions previouslycoveredby theFireandRescue Authoritypreceptand£24.75forotherMayoralGeneralfunctions, be approved. 

3.   That the overall budget for the Fire and RescueService for 2021/22 covered by the Mayoral precept and the medium-term financial position for the Fire and Rescue Service be approved.

4.    That the funding included in the budget for Bus Reform be approved and that it be noted that a further update on expenditure and funding would be provided following a Mayoral decision on Bus Reform.

5.    That the use of reserves, as set out in section 4 of the report, and the assessment by the Treasurer that the reserves as at March 2022 were adequate, be approved.

6.    That it be noted that in accordance with legal requirements, the minutes will record the names of those Members voting for or against the Mayor’s budget and precept proposals.

7.  That it be noted that discussions were continuing on the governance and delivery of Unified Architecture Digital Reform

Report of Councillor David Molyneux, Portfolio Lead for Resources.

1.         That the issues which were affecting the 2021/22 transport budgets, as detailed in the report, be noted.

2.      That the GMCA budget relating to transport functions funded through the levy, as set out in this report for 2021/22, be approved.

3.      That a Transport Levy on the District Councils in 2021/22 of £105.773 million, apportioned on the basis of mid-year population 2019, be approved.

4.      That a Statutory Charge of £86.7 million to District Councils in 2021/22, as set out in Part 4 of the Transport Order, apportioned on the basis of mid-year population 2019, be approved.

5.      That the use of reserves in 2020/21 and 2021/22, as detailed in section 5 of the report, be approved.

6.      That authority be delegated to the GMCA Treasurer, in conjunction with the TfGM Finance and Corporate Services Director, to make the necessary adjustments between capital funding and revenue reserves to ensure the correct accounting treatment for the planned revenue spend on the following schemes:

• GMIP development costs of up to £7 million from the second tranche of the Transforming Cities Fund (TCF2);
• Mayors Challenge Fund programme costs of up to £1.5 million; and
• Clean Air Plan Delivery costs of up to £2.2 million

7.    That it be noted that the funding position on Bus Reform remains as set out in the report to GMCA on 27 November 2020.

8.    That the proposal to increase fares by Retail Price Index (RPI) where applicable be endorsed and the increases proposed to Bus Stop closure charges be further endorsed.

Report of Councillor David Molyneux, Portfolio Lead for Resources.

1.      That the budget relating to the Greater Manchester Combined Authority functions excluding transport and waste in 2021/22, as set out in section 2 of the report, be approved.

2.         That the District Contributions of £8.603 million, as set out in section 3 of the report, be approved.

3.         That the use of reserves, as set out in section 4 of the report, be approved.

Report of Councillor David Molyneux, Portfolio Lead for Resources.

1.      That the proposed revised budget and levy for 2021/22 be noted.

2.         That the Trade Waste of £102.30 in 2021/22 and £114.83 in 2022/23 be approved to allow forward planning for the Districts.

3.      That the transfer, to earmarked reserves, of any unspent budget in relation to potential areas of underspend to support activity in 2021/22, as set out in paragraphs 2.3 and 2.5 of the report, be approved. 

Report of Councillor David Molyneux, Portfolio Lead for Resources.

1.  That the revisions to the 2020/21 capital forecast, as set out in Appendix A and detailed within the repor,t be approved.

2.    That the capital programme budget for 2021/22 and the forward commitments, as detailed in the report and in Appendix A, be approved.

3.    That it be noted that the capital programme was financed from a combination of grants, external contributions and long term borrowings.

4.    That it be noted that provision has been made in the revenue budget for the associated financing costs of borrowing.

5.    That the addition to the capital programme of the second Transforming Cities Fund (TCF2) as per the prioritised programme be approved and it be noted that the prioritised TCF 2 programme budgeted capital expenditure for 2021/22 is £2.6 million, as set out in section 6 of the report.

6.    That the addition to the capital programme of the ‘OZEV EV (Office for Zero Emission Vehicles Electric Vehicle) Taxi project’ (as part of the Greater Manchester Clean Air Programme) be approved, with a current forecast expenditure of £0.1 million in 2020/21 and £2.0 million budgeted expenditure for 2021/22, as set out in section 9 of the report.

7.    That the addition to the capital programme of the Access for All programme (part of the Department for Transport’s Access for All programme for rail stations) be approved, with a current forecast expenditure of £0.1 million in 2020/21 and £1.1 million budgeted expenditure for 2021/22, as set out in section 10 of the report.

8.    That authority be delegated to the Chief Executive Officer, GMCA & TfGM, where necessary, to vary individual scheme allocations for the Growth Deal programmes, in order to optimise Growth Deal grant expenditure by 31 March 2021.

9.    That it be noted that the capital programme would continue to be reviewed, with any new schemes which have not yet received specific approval being the subject of future reports.

Report of Councillor David Molyneux, Portfolio Lead for Resources.

That the proposed Treasury Management Strategy Statement and Annual Investment Strategy, to apply from the 1 April 2021 be approved, in particular:

a)    The Treasury and Prudential Indicators listed in Section 5 of the report.

b)    The Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Strategy outlined in Appendix

c)    The Treasury Management Policy Statement at Appendix B

d)    The Treasury Management Scheme of Delegation at Appendix C.

e)    The Borrowing Strategy outlined in Section 7 of the report

f)      The Annual Investment Strategy detailed in Section 8 of the report.

g)    Delegation to the Treasurer to step outside of the investment limits to safeguard the GMCA’s position as outlined in section 8.18 of the report. 

Report of Councillor David Molyneux, Portfolio Lead for Resources.

That the Capital Strategy for 2021/22 be approved.

Report of Councillor David Molyneux, Portfolio Lead for Resources.

1.   That it be noted that the Mayoral General revenue outturn position for 2020/21 showed an underspend of £5.5m and that the proposed transfer to Mayoral reserve, at set out in Section 2 of the report, be approved.

2.    That the GMCA General Budget revenue outturn position for 2020/21 which showed a breakeven position, be noted.

3.    That an increase in 2020/21 budget for the GM Delivery Team of £30k funded from revenue grant from Homes England be approved, and that it be spent before 31^st March 2021 as set out in paragraph 3.5 of the report.

4.    That it be noted that the Mayoral General – GM Fire & Rescue revenue outturn position for 2020/21 showed an underspend position of £1.641 million and that the proposed transfer to general reserve, as set out in Section 4 of the report, be approved.

5.    That the Waste outturn position of breakeven for 2020/21, after proposals agreed with GMCA on 31^st July and 25^th September, and the agreement, in principle, to refund the Districts for the levy adjustment that will be paid to GMCA as a result of increased tonnages, be noted.

6.    That it be noted that the TfGM revenue position for 2020/21 was in line with budget.

7.    That the use of reserves of £2.1 million to fund the costs of voluntary severance incurred in 2020/21, the costs of which will be replenished from savings in future years, as set out in paragraph 6.2 of the report, be approved.

8.    That authority be delegated to the GMCA Treasurer, in conjunction with the TfGM Finance and Corporate Services Director, to make to make the necessary adjustments between capital funding and revenue reserves to ensure the correct accounting treatment for the planned revenue spend on the following schemes as set out in paragraphs 6.8 and 6.9 of the report:

·         Greater Manchester Infrastructure Programme (GMIP) development costs of up to £6.3m from Transforming Cities 2

·         Mayors Challenge Fund delivery costs of up to £1.5 million

·         Clean Air Plan Delivery costs of up to £4.3 million

Report of Andy Burnham Portfolio Lead for Reform and Councillor Elise Wilson, Portfolio Lead for the Economy.

1.   That the call for the ‘Right to Food’ to be incorporated into the ‘National Food Strategy’ and in time enshrined in legislation, recognising that such a national reassurance could address wider issues in the welfare system and enable us to focus local efforts on upstream poverty prevention, be endorsed. 

2.   That a unified message be co-signed from Greater Manchester in the form of a letter to the Independent Lead of the National Food Strategy commission to highlight this request.

3.   That the intention to develop the Greater Manchester ‘No Child Should Go Hungry’ campaign into a broader GM-wide ambition around tackling the root causes of poverty with an appropriate balance of targeted work and early intervention & prevention be noted.

4.   That the work of the Bury Community Support Network be noted and considered as a potential blueprint for similar networks across Greater Manchester.

5.   That the role of the GM Good Employment Charter be recognised as key to sustainable and fair employment and that this should be sought through all public procurement exercises to enable it to have the greatest possible impact.

6.   That is be noted that the GMCA is the first Combined Authority in England to endorse the right to food for all.

Report of Councillor Elise Wilson, Portfolio Lead for the Economy.

That the report be noted.

Report of Councillor Andrew Western, Portfolio Lead for the Green City Region.

1.   That the paper and the progress against the GMCA Climate Emergency declaration be noted.

2.   That the GM Green City Region briefing on delivery against the GM 5 Year Environment Plan for September-December 2021 be noted and disseminated to elected members. 

3.   That further information on the social value of local jobs created through this work be shared with Councillor Greenhalgh.

Report of Councillor Andrew Western, Portfolio Lead for the Green City Region.

1.   That the commencement of the procurement process for biowaste treatment contracts for the period June 2022 to May 2026 be approved.

2.    That authority be delegated to the Chief Executive Officer, GMCA & TfGM, in consultation with the GMCA Treasurer and the Portfolio Lead for Green Cities to approve the award of contracts under the biowaste framework.

3.    That authority be delegated to the GMCA Monitoring Officer to complete all necessary legal agreements for the Biowaste treatment contracts.

Report of Andy Burnham, GM Mayor.

1.   That the agreed MCF delivery priorities across GM and the prioritised first phase for the programme, as set out in Appendix 1 of the report be noted.

2.    That the release of up to £0.7 million of development cost funding for the 2 MCF schemes set out in section 2 of the report be approved.

3.    That the release of up to £0.51 million MCF funding for Salford’s Liverpool Street scheme (Phase 1), in order to secure full approval and enable the signing of a delivery agreement, as set out in section 3 of the report be approved.

Report of Andy Burnham, GM Mayor.

1.   That the content of this report be noted.

2.    That authority be delegated to the Chief Executive Officer, in consultation with the Mayor of Greater Manchester, to approve and submit a response to the consultation on behalf of GMCA.

3.    That consideration would be given to Members’ concerns in relation to the inclusion of a half hourly service to Greenfield, a more frequent service along the Atherton line and the retention of a link between Eccles and the Airport as part of GM’s response to the consultation.

4.    That it be noted that TfGM were working up an alternative proposal and that the draft consultation response would be shared with GM Leaders before its final submission.

Report of Salford City Mayor, Paul Dennett, Portfolio Lead for Housing, Homelessness and Infrastructure.

1.   That the allocation of £18.2m of Brownfield Housing Fund monies to fund Local Authority priority projects that were submitted to MHCLG as part of the Brownfield Hosing Fund bidding process be approved in principle, subject to satisfactory due diligence being undertaken to confirm the deliverability of the projects.

2.    That the allocation of £16.01m of funding to those projects set out in Annex 1 of the report where satisfactory due diligence has already been undertaken be approved.

3.    That authority be delegated to the GMCA Treasurer acting in conjunction with the GMCA Monitoring Officer to agree the final terms of all the necessary agreements.

Report of Councillor David Molyneux, Portfolio Lead for Resources.

1.   That the Chief Executive Officer, GMCA & TfGM Decision Notice for the approval of loans to Manchester Science Partnerships Limited (“MSP”) and to IRAF UK Vantage 3 Limited (“Vantage”) be noted.

2.   That authority be delegated to the Chief Executive Officer, GMCA & TfGM, and the GMCA Treasurer, in consultation with the Portfolio Lead for Investment and Resources, to approve projects for funding and agree urgent variations to the terms of funding in the period 13 February 2021 to 25 March 2021. Any recommendations that are approved under the delegation will be reported to the next available meeting of the GMCA.

That, under section 100 (A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the press and public should be excluded from the meeting for the following items on business on the grounds that this involved the likely disclosure of exempt information, as set out in the relevant paragraphs of Part 1, Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 and that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information.

That, under section 100 (A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the press and public should be excluded from the meeting for the following items on business on the grounds that this involved the likely disclosure of exempt information, as set out in the relevant paragraphs of Part 1, Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 and that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information.

Report of Councillor Andrew Western, Portfolio Lead for the Green City Region.

That the report be noted.

To note that the GMCA will next meet on Friday 26 March, as agreed at the Annual Meeting.

That it be noted that the GMCA will next meet on Friday 26 March, as agreed at the Annual Meeting.