Agenda and decisions

That apologies be received and noted from Deputy Mayor, Police Fire & Crime, Bev Hughes, Councillor Mark Hunter (Stockport), Councillor Andrew Western (Trafford) and Steve Rumbelow (Rochdale), Tom Stannard (Salford),  Sara Todd (Trafford) and Alison McKenzie-Folan (Wigan).

1.          That the GMCA record its thanks to Charlotte Ramsden for her time working in Greater Manchester and wished her the best of luck in her new role at Bradford Children and Families Trust.

2.         That the GMCA welcomes Sue Johnson to her first meeting as the Chief Executive of Bolton Council.

3.         That the update provided by the GM Mayor on the successful implementation of the GM Green Summit on Monday 17th October 2022 be received, with thanks recorded to Councillor Martyn Cox for his work leading on the event.

4.         That the news that Rt Hon Michael Gove MP had returned to the role of Secretary of State for Levelling Up be welcomed and looked forward to resuming working with him in the near future.

5.         That the GMCA formally record its congratulatations to Greater Manchester Police following the welcome news that HMICFRS has confirmed that it will not only be released from special measures, but also that it currently ranks as the most improved force in the country.

6.         That the news that the L.S. Lowry painting ‘Going to the Match’ will be retained by The Lowry Collection for display at the Lowry Art Gallery be welcomed.

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 48 hours before the start of the meeting.

There were no declarations received in relation to any item on the agenda.

To consider the approval of the minutes of the meeting held on 30 September 2022.

That the minutes of the GMCA meeting held on 30 September 2022 be approved.

To note the minutes of the GMCA Audit Committee held on 19 October 2022.

That the minutes of the Audit Committee meeting held on 19 October 2022 be noted.

To note the minutes of the GMCA Scrutiny Committee held on 28 September 2022.

That the minutes of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee held on 28 September 2022 be noted.

To note the minutes of the GMCA Waste & Recycling Committee held on 12 October 2022.

That the minutes of the GMCA Waste & Recycling Committee held on 12 October 2022 be noted.

To note the minutes of the Greater Manchester Transport Committee held on 14 October 2022.

That the minutes of the Greater Manchester Transport Committee held on 14 October 2022 be noted.

Report of Councillor Bev Craig, Portfolio Lead for Economy & Business and Councillor Amanda Chadderton, Portfolio Lead for Equalities, Inclusion and Cohesion.

1.            That the latest assessment, including the findings of the Greater Manchester Disabled People’s Panel 2022 Survey be noted.

2.            That the GMCA record its thanks  to both Rick Burgess and Michele Scattergood for the presentation of the Disabled People’s Panel survey results.

3.            That the GMCA record its thanks to Councillor Amanda Chadderton for leading on the mobilisation of 306 ‘warm banks’ across GM ahead of the winter period.

4.            That the GMCA would lobby government ahead of the ‘fiscal event’ on 17^th November on the pressing need to ensure that benefits rise in line with current rates of inflation to combat the further entrenchment of poverty, and that Council budgets be protected to ensure they were able to provide suitable levels of support.

5.            That the GM Mayor invite a representative of the GM Disabled People’s Panel to join him in the conversation he was seeking with the ‘Big Five’ energy providers on agreeing a moratorium on disconnection from energy supplies over the winter period.

6.            That the GMCA continues to consider the cost-of-living crisis as a specific item each month.

Report of Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester.

1.            That the feedback and suggestions made by cross-sector partners and residents who attended the third party ‘Challenge Poverty Week’ GM partnership event be noted.

2.            That it be noted that the report was viewed with reference to and alongside the GMCA Cost of Living Resilience update, recognising that those responses were immediate, and that the report pointed to the need for GMCA to consider the medium to long term anti-poverty approach across the city-region, and that all recommendations would be addressed at the right level.

3.            That the GMCA record its thanks to Revered Ian Rutherford for his presentation of the report.

4.            That the work of GM Poverty Action, particularly the report being prepared at present, be fully incorporated into the range of work taking place through the Tackling Inequality Board.

5.            That a report be submitted to the next meeting of the GMCA highlighting improvements in bus patronage following the introduction of the £2 single fare cap.

6.            That a report be submitted to the next meeting of the GMCA setting out plans around homelessness and the expansion of ‘A Bed Every Night’.

7.            That a report be submitted to the next meeting of the GMCA providing further detail around the establishing of Wigan as an initial site for replicating the joint venture being rolled out in Scotland between Fife and Amazon.

Report of Councillor David Molyneux, Portfolio Lead for Resources.

1.              That the current 2022/23 forecast of £565.6m compared to the 2022/23 previous forecast of £630.6m and approval of changes to the capital programme as set out in the report be noted.

2.              That the addition to the Capital Programme of the Air Quality Monitoring project, funded from the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Air Quality grant as outlined in paragraph 3.12.3, be approved.

Report of Councillor David Molyneux, Portfolio Lead for Resources.

1.            That the 2022/23 forecast outturn position for the GMCA budgets at the end of September 2022 (quarter 2), be noted.

2.            That the changes to the GMCA General budget following the confirmation of additional funding during quarter 2 shown in paragraph 2.2, be approved.

3.            That the table at 2.3 be updated to incorporate the UKSPF Multiply Programme Grant referred to in 2.2.

4.            That it be noted that the forecast outturn has now moved to a forecast deficit outturn of £1.8m following the incorporation of the latest firefighter pay offer of 5% into the budgets – a cost that would need to be picked up locally.

Report of Councillor Neil Emmott, Portfolio Lead for Culture.

1.                That the consultation response to the proposed new approach to GMCA’s cultural investment be noted.

2.                That the new approach to GMCA’s cultural investment be approved.

3.                That an indicative investment period of three years subject to annual review and approval of the Culture Fund as part of the GMCA annual budget setting process, be approved in principle..

4.                That the timeline for the GMCA Culture Fund to open for bids in preparation for the new investment approach starting from April 2023, be approved.

5.                That the decision of the impact tool be noted and that it also be noted that the proposed approach will support equality inclusion, health outcomes and the economy in Greater Manchester.

Report of Councillor Neil Emmott, Portfolio Lead for Culture.

1.              That the Create Growth Programme in GM be supported.

2.              That the proposal GMCA act as the accountable body with the DCMS for the Create Growth Programme in Greater Manchester funded from a £1.275million Section 31 grant over the period 2022/23 – 2024/25 be approved.

3.              That the GMCA enter into a grant agreement with the Growth Company for £1.2m to deliver the programme, as set out in the bid.

4.              That the decision of the impact tool be noted, and it also noted that the proposed approach will support equality inclusion, health outcomes and the economy in Greater Manchester.

Report of Councillor Martyn Cox, Portfolio Lead for Green City Region.

1.                 That the forthcoming funding opportunity presented by Energy Company Obligation 4 (ECO4) and specifically the Flexible Eligibility element be noted.

2.                 That authority be delegated to the GMCA Treasurer and GMCA Monitoring Officer to:

a.   Conduct an ECO4 Approved Application Process to produce a list of GM wide ECO4 delivery installer(s).

b.   Centralise the management of ECO4 Flexible Eligibility on behalf of the 10 districts.

c.   Receive and defray any concession received to cover internal costs over the ECO4 period.

3.                 That the GM Flexible Eligibility Statement of Intent (Annex 1) be approved and that authority be delegated to the Chief Executive Officer, GMCA & TfGM to sign the Statement of Intent on behalf of the GMCA and all 10 GM LAs be approved.

4.                 That the co-benefits assessment of this proposal suggests this project will directly reduce emissions from domestic buildings, in particular the worst performing properties be noted.

Report of Councillor Gerald Cooney, GM Portfolio Leader for Communities and Co-operatives.

1.           That the progress update be noted.

2.           That the proposal to create a system-wide GM VCSE Forum and provide nominations to join the Forum be endorsed.

3.           That local authorities and partners be encouraged to make nominations to the Forum as detailed in the terms of reference.

Report of Councillor Bev Craig, Portfolio Lead for Economy, Business and International.

1.              That the progress in developing Innovation Greater Manchester, which is supporting the Greater Manchester Strategy commitment to “Realise the opportunities from our world class growth and innovation assets” be noted.

2.              That authority be delegated to the Chief Executive Officer, GMCA & TfGM and the GMCA Treasurer, in consultation with the Portfolio Leads and Lead Chief Executives for Economy and Work & Skills, the decision making and sign-off authority for local selection and oversight of the projects to be funded through the Innovation Accelerator pilot. Decisions will be informed by consultation with the Innovation Greater Manchester Board.

3.              That it be noted that the innovation accelerator pilot was expected to have direct positive impacts on equality and inclusion, health, resilience and adaptation, economy, and mobility and connectivity. There will be indirect positive impacts on carbon emissions.

Report of Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester.

1.              That the release of up to £745,000 of MCF delivery funding for the Oldham Chadderton Improvement scheme, set out in section 2 of this report, be approved in order to secure full approval and enable scheme delivery through the signing of the necessary supporting legal agreements be approved.

2.              That the revised GM Local Authority budget allocations for the Active Travel Fund (Tranche 2), following a re-profiling exercise agreed by the Active Travel Programme Board, as set out in section 3 of the report be noted.

3.              That the release of up to £225,508 of development cost funding for the 2 Active Travel Fund (Tranche 3) schemes, set out in section 4 of the report, be approved.

4.              That Dame Sarah Storey be invited to the next meeting of the GMCA to provide an update on ‘refreshing the mission’ around active travel.

Report of Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester.

1.            That the progress made towards the delivery of the Bee Network be noted.

2.            That the comments raised by the GMCA Overview & Scrutiny Committee be noted.

3.            That TfGM be requested to submit an update report to the November GMCA meeting and a final report at the December GMCA meeting on the progressing of franchising arrangements

4.            That the statement made by Northern City Region Mayors calling for action in the short, medium and long term to address specific issues raised in the minutes on the national rail network be noted.

Report of Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester.

1.              That the progress made in relation to the Local Growth Deal Transport schemes as set out in Sections 2, 3 and 4 of the report, be noted.

2.               That the progress made in relation to the Non-Transport Skills Capital and Economic Development and Regeneration (ED &R) programmes, as set out in Section 5 of the report, be noted.

3.              That the funding draw-down request for the SBNI Salford Package 7 (A580 Junctions), as set out in Section 5 of the report, be approved.

4.              That the use of returned Life Sciences funds to proceed with Life Sciences 2, as set out in Section 6.5 of the report, be noted.

5.              That the funding draw-down request for Farnworth Streets for All, as set out in Section 7 of the report, be approved.

Report of Councillor David Molyneux, Portfolio Lead for Resources and Investment.

1.            That 10GM £1,663,571 of GM’s UKSPF allocation to deliver activity to support VCSE sustainability and infrastructure across GM to March 2025, as set out within the 10GM proposal, outlined at Section 3 of this report, be granted.

2.          That the GM Business Growth Hub £500,000 of GM’s UKSPF allocation in 2022/23 to deliver a programme of activity in 2022/23 to support GM businesses with the Cost of Doing Business challenges, as set out within the proposal, outlined at Section 5 of this report, be granted.

3.          That a £15m UKSPF funded GM SME (Small and Medium Size Enterprises) Workspace Fund be established and administered by GMCA which will prioritise local authority proposals for the creation of SME workspace in city and town centres and high streets in GM to March 2025. Prioritised proposals within this programme will come to GMCA for agreement in due course.

4.       That £2,744,408 of GM’s UKSPF allocation over 2.5 years to deliver the activity, expenditure, outcomes and outputs set out in their UKSPF Communities and Place proposal by March 2025, as outlined at Annex A, be granted to Bolton Council.

5.          That £1,662,478 of GM’s UKSPF allocation over 2.5 years to deliver the activity, expenditure, outcomes and outputs set out in their UKSPF Communities and Place proposal by March 2025, as outlined at Annex A, be granted to Bury Council.

6.          That a grant be awarded to Manchester City Council for £2,886,652 of GM’s UKSPF allocation over 2.5 years to deliver the activity, expenditure, outcomes and outputs set out in their UKSPF Communities and Place proposal by March 2025, as outlined at Annex A, noting that Manchester City Council will submit a further proposal for their remaining allocation to the GM UKSPF Local Partnership Board in due course.

7.          That £2,295,803 of GM’s UKSPF allocation over 2.5 years to deliver the activity, expenditure, outcomes and outputs set out in their UKSPF Communities and Place proposal by March 2025, as outlined at Annex A, be granted to Oldham Council.

8.          That £2,163,860 of GM’s UKSPF allocation over 2.5 years to deliver the activity, expenditure, outcomes and outputs set out in their UKSPF Communities and Place proposal by March 2025, as outlined at Annex A, be granted to Rochdale Council.

9.          That £2,243,026 of GM’s UKSPF allocation over 2.5 years to deliver the activity, expenditure, outcomes and outputs set out in their UKSPF Communities and Place proposal by March 2025, as outlined at Annex A, be granted to Salford Council.

10.        That £2,454,134 of GM’s UKSPF allocation over 2.5 years to deliver the activity, expenditure, outcomes and outputs set out in their UKSPF Communities and Place proposal by March 2025, as outlined at Annex A, be granted to Stockport Council.

11.     That £1,768,032 of GM’s UKSPF allocation over 2.5 years to deliver the activity, expenditure, outcomes and outputs set out in their UKSPF Communities and Place proposal by March 202,5 as outlined at Annex A, be granted to Trafford Council.

12.     That £1,050,000 of GM’s UKSPF  ...  view the full decision text for item 21.

Report of Councillor Eamonn O'Brien, Portfolio Lead for Education, Skills, Work, Apprenticeships & Digital.

1.              That the update on the devolution of the AEB and proposed approach to commissioning AEB funded provision for GM residents for 2023/24, including procurement activity be noted.

2.              That approval be granted for the proposed approach to commissioning AEB funded provision for GM residents in 2023/24 which includes:

a.      Grant funding agreements for the providers identified as being in-scope for block grants, namely further education institutions based within Greater Manchester and those GM local authorities which currently deliver AEB funded provision.

b.     Procurement of contracts for services for all other providers, including independent training providers, FE institutions based outside of Greater Manchester, and other organisations (which may include the voluntary and community sector)

3.              That authority be delegated to the Chief Executive Officer GMCA & TfGM, GMCA Treasurer and Monitoring Officer, in consultation with the Portfolio Lead and Portfolio Lead Chief Executive for Education, Skills, Work, Apprenticeships and Digital (and subject to considerations around any conflicts of interest which might arise),  to take forward AEB commissioning, including the procured element, to contract award.

Report of Councillor Andrew Western, Portfolio Lead for Place Based Regeneration & Housing.

1.              That the GM Housing Investment Loans Fund loan detailed in the table below, as detailed further in this and the accompanying Part B report be approved; 

2.              That authority be delegated to the GMCA Treasurer acting in conjunction with the GMCA Monitoring Officer to prepare and effect the necessary legal agreements.

3.              That the GM Housing Investment Loans Fund loan detailed in the table below, where an increase in the loan has been approved by the GMCA Chief Executive acting in consultation with the Portfolio Lead Leader for Place Based Regeneration & Housing under delegation be noted.

Report of Councillor David Molyneux, Portfolio Lead for Investment and Resources

1.           That the loan facility of up to £350,000 to HN Flow Limited be approved.

2.            That authority be delegated to the Combined Authority Treasurer and Combined Authority Monitoring Officer to review the due diligence information in respect of the above loan, and, subject to their satisfactory review and agreement of the due diligence information and the overall detailed commercial terms of the loan, to sign off any outstanding conditions, issue final approvals and complete any necessary related documentation in respect of the loan noted above.

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 Leader for Place Based Regeneration & Housing.

That the report be noted.

Clerk’s Note: This item was considered in support of the report considered in Part A of the agenda (Item 23 above refers).

Report of Councillor David Molyneux, Portfolio Lead for Investment and Resources.

That the report be noted.

Clerk’s Note: This item was considered in support of the report considered in Part A of the agenda (Item 24 above refers).