Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence were received from: Councillor Sharmina August (Salford), Councillor Amy Whyte (Trafford), Councillor Kevin Procter (Trafford), and Councillor Stephen Gribbin (Stockport).

To appoint a Chair for the municipal year.

That a Chair be appointed for this Committee for 2019/20.

RESOLVED/-

Councillor John Walsh was appointed as Chair of this Committee for 2019/20.

To appoint a Vice Chair for the municipal year.

That a Vice Chair be appointed for this Committee for 2019/20.

RESOLVED/-

Councillor Steven Gribbon was appointed as Vice Chair of this Committee for 2019/20.

To detail those Members appointed to the committee, and provide a quick reference point.

Members

Councillor John Walsh, Bolton, (Conservative)

Councillor Martin Hayes, Bury, (Labour)

Councillor Dorothy Gunther, Bury, (Conservative)

Councillor Mandie Shilton-Godwin, Manchester, (Labour)

Councillor Jon-Connor Lyons, Manchester, (Labour)

Councillor Barbara Brownridge, Oldham, (Labour)

Councillor Linda Robinson, Rochdale, (Labour)

Councillor Janet Mobbs, Stockport, (Labour)

Councillor Steve Gribbon, Stockport, (Lib Dem)

Councillor Mike Glover, Tameside, (Labour)

Councillor Liam Billington, Tameside, (Conservative)

Councillor Kevin Procter, Trafford, (Labour)

Councillor Amy Whyte, Trafford, (Labour)

Councillor Fred Walker, Wigan, (Labour)

To detail those Members appointed to this Committee for 2019/20, and provide a quick reference point.

RESOLVED/-

That the Membership of this Committee be noted.

To remind Members of their obligations under the GMCA Members Code of Conduct.

To remind Members of their obligations under the GMCA Members Code of Conduct. 

RESOLVED/-

That Members of this Committee note the Code of Conduct.

To remind Members to complete an annual declaration of interest form which will be published on the GMCA website.

Members that are yet to complete an annual declaration of interest form were reminded to do so.  It was stated that these to be collectively be published on the GMCA website.

RESOLVED/-

That the item be noted.

To note the Committee’s Terms of Reference.  

To note the Committee’s terms of reference.

RESOLVED/-

That the Terms of Reference be circulated to Members of this Committee

To receive any Member’s declarations of interest in relation to any item on the agenda. 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.

RESOLVED/-

To note there were no declarations received.

Report of GM Mayor, Andy Burnham.

Julie Connor, Assistant Director Governance & Scrutiny, GMCA introduced the item.  It was stated that the 2 year Implementation Plan was agreed in April 2018, and outlines the targets and ambitions to be achieved by the Combined Authority by 2020 with a RAG rating on progress.  It was noted that this went to all 3 GM Scrutiny Committees with each asked each to focus on the areas they cover.

Anne Morgan Head of Planning Strategy and Steve Fyfe,Head of Housing Strategy, GMCA were introduced to the Committee to cover housing and planning strategy, Steve Warrener, Finance and Corporate Services Director TfGM to cover any transport queries. MARK Atherton, Assistant Director for Environment, GMCA to attend the next meeting of this Scrutiny to cover items relating to the GM Green Agenda.

A Member commented on Priority 5 – Connectivity, specifically asking around the dashboard supporting indicators that indicate that 55.3% of short journeys under 2km are made by walking or cycling in 2015-17.  It was felt that this figure may be inaccurate as it was thought that there is a greater proportion who conduct this journey by car.

It was clarified that these numbers need to be checked with information provided on where/how they were sourced. This to then be fed back to this Scrutiny at a later date.

The question was also asked if work is underway to secure more funding for the Challenge fund with the understanding that the vast majority of the money first secured now being allocated.

It was clarified that the Made to Move strategy highlighted a figure of around £1.6 billion required to fund.  TfGM have worked with districts to bring forward proposals and schemes thorough 5 tranches. All of the schemes across the GM districts have been reviewed to check accuracy and see if other funding methods are available. This can then identify schemes for the allocated £160 million and create a substitute list of other schemes that are ready and require funding.  It was highlighted that GM is lobbying Government for funding via a few channels, such as via the Bee Network from the Walking Cycling Commissioner Chris Boardman, The Our Network vision and also likely though the Comprehensive Spending Review.  It was stated that if Members wish, TfGM can bring more detailed updates on specifics at future meetings, with regular reporting going through to leaders of the Combined Authority bi-monthly.

A Member asked for clarity on the amber rating for Housing Provision with the specific question as to what does ‘influencing infrastructure providers’ actually means.

It was clarified that infrastructure had been a focus in GM over the last 12 months with concerted activity to deal with a range of challenging issues. This lead to the establishment of the Infrastructure Board which is attended by infrastructure providers, and offers an ability to work more closely with them on their investment programmes so these are aligned with plans for growth or areas where infrastructure is under pressure.

There are also plans to produce  ...  view the full minutes text for item 166.

Presentation of Steve Fyfe, Head of Housing Strategy, GMCA

Steve Fyfe, Head of Housing Strategy, GMCA delivered a presentation to the Committee summarising  Government housing funding programmes: The slides were subsequently circulated to Committee Members, and are available on the GMCA website with the other papers for this meeting.

Members provided the following comments and questions:

A Member enquired whether the Small Sites fund and Land Assembly Funds assist in building on land that is currently unused (such as Brownfield which could help assist district take-up quota) and clarity on the criteria for the application process.

It was clarified that this is the case, and that the Small Sites is grant funding which should assist in bringing forward smaller brownfield sites around GM. This funding can be applied for by council officers contacting Homes England with a final deadline of March 2021.

In terms of the 150 units in 40 sites, the question was asked if Members are entitled to know where these are located.

In response, it was confirmed that the schemes are approved by the Combined Authority, and that a list could be provided to Members of this Committee of the 40 sites.

A Member queried whether the GM Housing Investment Loan Fund is ring fenced for affordable schemes only in GM 

It was clarified that this is not aimed at affordable schemes only, with the intention of the scheme to speed up housing delivery in general. The affordability housing element is determined by the district that the scheme is in.  Each scheme needs to conform with or exceed the affordable home requirement of that local authority.

RESOLVED/-

1.       That the presentation be noted.

2.       That the information in relation to sites be provided for the committee

Report to follow.

Steve Warrener, Finance and Corporate Services Director outlined a proposal to introduce an annual charge of £10 for ‘older people’ (those who qualify for English National Concessionary Scheme (ENCT) Pass) to access the local concessionary travel scheme which currently enables free travel on Metrolink and train within Greater Manchester.

Under the 2007 Act, eligible older and disabled people are entitled to free off-peak travel on all local bus (only) services anywhere in England from 9:30 until 23:30 on weekdays and all days at weekends and on Bank Holidays via the use of an ENCT pass.  The Act stipulates that the travel permit for the ENCT pass must be issued free of charge.  The only charge that TfGM is able to levy is to cover the cost of the replacement of lost, stolen or damaged passes.  This currently stands at £10. 

In addition to the national scheme ENCT, TfGM currently offer an enhanced scheme which offers free travel for older and disabled people:

·         on Metrolink trams between 09:30 and midnight, Monday to Friday, and all day at weekends and on public holidays; and

·         on trains on journeys scheduled to run at or after 09:30, Monday to Friday, and all day at weekends and on public holidays.

The report proposed that TfGM introduce a £10 charge per annum for older people for access to the enhanced local concessionary scheme.  Should older people not wish to pay the £10 charge and opt out of the enhanced scheme they would still be entitled to free off-peak travel on all local bus services as outlined in the 2007 Act.

It was reported that to enable the continued use of the ENCTS cards in circulation, and therefore to implement the proposal at the lowest possible cost, TfGM would issue an ‘entitlement product’ that would be loaded on to a concessionaire’s existing card once they have paid the £10 annual charge.   It was highlighted that the proposal would align the charges for older people with the charges for other discretionary concessionary travel schemes in Greater Manchester.

This proposal is to be presented to the GMCA on 26^th July for approval.

Members provided the following questions and comments

·         Members expressed concern that the charge may present financial difficulties to some individuals from accessing their travel pass, potentially creating a barrier to take-up.  It was acknowledged that the sum of £10 will not be an issue for all, but there are those that may find covering this extra charge challenging.

·         A Member stated that that the older generation have already made large contributions to tax and national insurance with transport highlighted as already being funded via council tax levy. This demographic had also been recently affected with other recent rising costs such as the removal of free TV licensing for over 75s.

·         The point was made that there are reliability issues with public transport in GM, and asking for an additional payment for the current quality of service is a challenging message.

·         A Member noted  ...  view the full minutes text for item 168.

Report of Joanne Heron, Statutory Scrutiny Officer, Governance & Scrutiny Team, GMCA

Joanne Heron, Statutory Scrutiny Officer, Governance & Scrutiny Team, GMCAintroduced the item.  Following on from the informal briefing session of this Committee in June, the HPE Scrutiny Work Programme was drafted incorporating Member suggestions.  Some of the timings of these items have subsequently changed since the initial draft was circulated to accommodate report availability

·         Members to note that the Town Centre Strategy Mayoral Development Corporation item to be rescheduled from September to November

·         Following Member comments the ‘A Bed Every Night’ item to be rearranged to be earlier in November 2019

RESOLVED/-

That with the above changes, the Work Programme be noted

Thursday 12th September                           18:00 – 20:00

Thursday 10th October                                  14:00 – 16:00

Thursday 14th November                            18:00 – 20:00

Thursday 5th December                                17:00 – 19:00

Thursday 16th January 2020                         09:30 – 11:30

Thursday 13th February 2020                      14:00 – 16:00

Thursday 19th March 2020                           18:00 – 20:00

• The Contact Officer for this agenda is Matt Berry, Governance & Scrutiny, GMCA ' 0161 778 7009 *matt.berry@greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk. The Statutory Scrutiny Officer is Joanne Heron ' 0161 778 7009 *joanne.heron@greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk

• If any Members require advice on any agenda item involving a possible declaration of interest, which could affect their ability to speak or vote are advised to contact Matt Berry 24 hours in advance of the meeting.

• For copies of papers and further information on this meeting please refer to the website www.greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk. Alternatively, contact the above Officer.

• Please note that this meeting will be held in public and will be livestreamed (except where confidential or exempt information is being considered).

Please note that this meeting will be livestreamed via www.greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk, please speak to a Governance & Scrutiny Officer before the meeting should you not wish to consent to being included in this recording.

Future meeting arrangements agreed as follows

Thursday 12th September                    18:00 – 20:00

Thursday 10th October                          14:00 – 16:00

Thursday 14th November                     18:00 – 20:00

Thursday 5th December                       18:00 – 20:00

Thursday 16th January 2020                                 10:30 – 11:30

Thursday 13th February 2020             14:00 – 16:00

Thursday 19th March 2020                   18:00 – 20:00