Agenda and decisions

That apologies be received from Councillor David Molyneux (Wigan),Councillor Ged Cooney (Tameside) & Sandra Stewart (Tameside).

1. That the update on continued concerns around the performance of Avanti West Coast Rail be received.

2. That a request be made that all trains leaving, or travelling towards Manchester, fully declassify their 1^st class carriages when offering a reduced service.

3. That the GMCA welcomes the vote of confidence shown in the city region’s cultural aspirations with the announced relocation of the English National Opera to Greater Manchester from 2029.

4. That it be noted that the Clean Air Administration Committee would be considering the finalised plans for a non-charging investment led approach to a Clean Air Zone for the city region at a meeting on 20 December 2023, and, that with Government agreement, would offer a fairer and more democratic approach for all residents.

5. That a re-emphasis be placed on calls made to Government to ban ‘out of area’ working currently allowed on taxi licences to end the unfair and currently unmanageable approach to ensuring taxi emission standards were met within the region.

6. That the update on the House of Lords Education Select Committee’s Report strongly endorsing the approach being taken to the development of the Greater Manchester Baccalaureate be received.

7. That the update by the Deputy Mayor for Safer and Stronger Communities on the launch of the GM Violence Reduction Strategy be received.

8. That the update on the forthcoming review of rail infrastructure, to be led by Juergen Maier, be received.

9. That the update on discussions around the development of a new northern powerhouse rail connection, that would align the Liverpool City Region’s and Greater Manchester’s favoured path to HS2 links be received.

10. That it be confirmed that all discussions with Government on rail links will reaffirm Greater Manchester’s position that it should not contribute to a new rail station at Manchester Airport, and reaffirm the development of an underground station at Manchester Piccadilly was required.

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 of interest made in relation to any item on the agenda.

To consider the approval of the minute of the GMCA meeting held on 24 November 2023.

That the minutes of the GMCA meeting held on 24 November 2023 be approved as a correct record.

To approve the minutes of the GMCA Resources Committee held on 24 November 2023.

That the minutes of the GMCA Resources Committee meeting held on 24 November 2023 be approved as a correct record.

To approve the minutes of the GMCA Overview & Scrutiny Committee held on 22 November 2023.

That the minutes of the GMCA Overview & Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 22 November 2023 be noted.

To note the minutes of the Bee Network Committee held on 23 November 2023.

That the minutes of the Bee Network Committee meeting held on 23 November 2023 be noted.

To appoint Councillor Ged Carter (Trafford) as a substitute member to the GMCA Overview & Scrutiny Committee.

That Councillor Ged Carter (Trafford) be appointed as a substitute member to the GMCA Overview & Scrutiny Committee.

Report of Councillor Bev Craig, Portfolio Lead for Economy & Business and Councillor Arooj Shah, Portfolio Lead for Equalities and Communities

1. That the renewal of the latest assessment and emerging response and views given on the next steps in that response be noted.

2. That the signing of a letter drafted on behalf of all ten Greater Manchester Local Authorities to Government to extend the existing Household Support Fund offer for those most in need be agreed.

Report of Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester.

1.     That the development of a Greater Manchester’s transport vision as part of a refreshed Local Transport Plan be noted.

2.     That the ‘Renewing Our Vision’ stakeholder engagement document be approved.

3.     That the comments raised by Councillor Nadim Muslim on behalf of the Greater Manchester Overview & Scrutiny Committee be received and noted.

4.     That Greater Manchester reaffirms its commitment to lobbying Government for devolved funding to allow the region to implement schemes improving disability access at rail stations.

5.     That it be advised that the Rapid Transport Strategy due for publication in the new year would set out plans around potential Metrolink extensions, and that comments raised through the forthcoming round table with Stockport business leaders would aid in informing the approach.

Report of Councillor Tom Ross, Portfolio Lead for Green City Region.

1. That the progress made to date in delivering ECO4, the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund, and the Local Energy Advice Demonstrator Project in Greater Manchester be noted.

2. That the centralised management of ECO4 and GBIS Flex by the GMCA for the whole of Greater Manchester be approved.

3. That the GMCA ECO4 and GBIS Flex Statement of Intent V5 (Annex 1) be approved, and authorisation be given to the Chief Executive of the GMCA and TfGM to sign it on behalf of the GMCA.

4. That the numerous long term significant positive impacts on health and wellbeing, jobs and skills, and carbon reduction through an increase in home energy efficiency and a reduction in fuel poverty identified in the Sustainability Assessment be noted.

Report of Councillor David Molyneux, Portfolio Lead for Resources & Investment and Councillor Nazia Rehman Assistant Portfolio Lead for Resources & Investment.

1.                    That the proposal for the £0.5m experimental programme of business support to directly tackle inequalities be noted.

2.            That it be agreed that the proposal is a strategic fit with the GM UKSPF Investment Plan and is deliverable as set out in this report.

3.            That authority be delegated to the GMCA Treasurer in consultation with the Portfolio Lead for Economy and Inclusive Growth and Portfolio Lead for Resources and Investment to agree the procurement method and subsequent award of contract(s) worth up to £0.5m.

Report of Councillor David Molyneux, Portfolio Lead for Resources & Investment and Councillor Nazia Rehman Assistant Portfolio Lead for Resources & Investment.

1. 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 16^th December 2023 to 25^th January 2024.

2.    That it be noted that any recommendations approved under the delegation will be reported to the next available meeting of the Combined Authority.

Report of Councillor Tom Ross, Portfolio Lead for Green City Region.

That the options appraisal be reviewed with approval given to the recommended approach for the future investment in recyclate sorting infrastructure.

Report of Councillor Tom Ross, Portfolio Lead for Green City Region.

1.                    That the contents of the report be noted.

2.                    That approval be given for the initiation of discussions with the current contractor to extend the WRMS and HWRCMS contracts in accordance with contract clauses.

3.                    That the comments raised by Councillor Nadim Muslim on behalf of the Greater Manchester Overview & Scrutiny Committee be received and noted.

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 Tom Ross, Portfolio Lead for Green City Region.

That the contents of the report be noted.

Report of Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester.

That the recommendations in the report be approved.