Decisions

There were no Chair’s announcements.

That the apologies be received and noted from Councillors Andrew Western (Trafford), Arooj Shah (Oldham),  Sara Rowbotham and Janet Emsley (Rochdale) and Jenny Bullen (Wigan)  and Eamonn Boylan (GMCA), Sara Todd (Trafford) and Pam Smith (Stockport) - Michael Cullen attending.

1.       That the report and the current AGMA revenue outturn forecast for 2019/20, which showed an underspend against budget of £71,000 be noted.

2.       That the budget relating to AGMA functions in 2020/21, as set out in section 2 of this report, be approved.

3.       That the charges to the GM District Councils in support of the AGMA functions for 2020/21 of £634,000, as set out in Appendix 1 to this report, noting that this excludes items billed directly from lead districts be approved.

4.       That the forecast position of reserves in 2020/21, as detailed in the report, most notably section 3, of the report be noted.

That it be noted that there were no declarations of interest in any item for discussion at the meeting.

That the report be noted that it also be agreed that the report be made public within one month of this meeting.

That the position of the GM Housing Investment Loan Fund at 30 September 2019 be noted, specifically that there has been no requirement for GMCA to account for any impairments as a result of the performance of the Fund.

1.                That the funding application for SharpFutures Manchester C.I.C. (loan facility of £250,000) be approved, and progressed to due diligence.

2.                That authority be delegated to the GMCA Treasurer and GMCA Monitoring Officer to review the due diligence information in respect of the company, and, subject to their satisfactory review and agreement of the due diligence information and the overall detailed commercial terms of the transactions, to sign off any outstanding conditions, issue final approvals and complete any necessary related documentation in respect of the investment at 1. Above.

3.                That authority be delegated to the Chief Executive Officer, GMCA & TfGM and the GMCA Treasurer, in consultation with the Portfolio Leader for Investment and Resources, to approve funding requests for projects for the period 15 February 2020 to 26 March 2020, in the absence of a GMCA meeting at the end of February and approve any urgent variations on amounts and terms for already approved loans.

4.                That it be noted that any recommendations approved under the delegation would be subject to the usual due diligence processes and will be reported to the GMCA Authority at the next available meeting.

5.                Thatthe update on James Briggs Limited be noted.

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

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 in connection with the loan recommended at 1.

3.             That authority be delegated to the Chief Executive Officer, GMCA & TfGM and GMCA Treasurer, in consultation with the Portfolio Lead for Planning, Housing & Homelessness, to approve projects for funding in the period 15 February 2020 to 26 March 2020.

1.                  That a budget of £8.6m over 2 years from April 2020 for the GMCA Culture Fund to fund the balanced portfolio of applications detailed within the Part B item of this report be approved.

2.                  That the list of organisations detailed within the Part B item of this report, to be funded by the GMCA Culture Fund be approved and that it also be agreed that the report be made public within one month of this meeting.

3.                  That authority be delegated to the GMCA Treasurer, in consultation with the Portfolio Lead Chief Executive and Portfolio Lead for Culture, to enter into grant funding agreements with the organisations, and for the amounts, listed in the Part B report.

4.                  That it be agreed that a report will be submitted to GMCA over the following months that will set out a new sustainable approach to the funding of GM’s culture organisations from 2022.

5.                  That the list of organisations detailed within the part B  report to be funded by the GMCA Culture Fund 2020-2022 be approved.

6.                  That the GMCA record its congratulations to Bury on becoming the first Town of Culture for Greater Manchester.

That the GMCA record its thanks Councillor David Greenhalgh (Portfolio Lead for Culture), Alison McKenzie-Folan (Lead Chief Executive for Culture) and officers within the cultural team at the GMCA.

1.                  That the allocation of Troubled Families funding for 2019/20 to all GM districts in line with the previously agreed process be agreed.

2.                  That the announcement of a further year’s funding for the Troubled Families Funding for 2020/21 be noted.

3.                  That a similar process for managing the 2020/21 allocation of Troubled Families funding through the GM Reform Investment Fund in line with the devolved arrangements agreed with Government be approved.

1.                  That the Mayoral General forecast revenue outturn position for 2019/20, which showed an underspend against budget of £1.3 million, be noted.

2.                  That the Mayoral General – Fire forecast revenue outturn position for 2019/20, which showed an underspend against budget of £2.468 million, be noted.

3.                  That the GMCA General budget forecast revenue outturn position for 2019/20, which showed an underspend against budget of £0.128 million, be noted.

4.                  That the Transport forecast revenue outturn position for 2019/20, which was in line with the budget, be noted.

5.                  That the GM Waste forecast revenue outturn position for 2019/20, which was in line with budget, be noted.

6.                  That the TfGM forecast revenue outturn position for 2019/20, at paragraph 4.1 of the report, be noted.

7.                  That the use of £1.5 million from reserves to support transport scheme development, as detailed in paragraph 4.3 of the report, be approved.

8.                  That the increase to the GMCA General budget of £0.633 million, as detailed in paragraphs 3.6 – 3.8 of the report, be approved.

9.                  That authority be delegated to the GMCA Chief Executive Officer, GMCA & TfGM and GMCA Treasurer, in consultation with the Portfolio Lead for Housing, Homelessness and Infrastructure, to transfer loans from GM Housing Investment Loans Fund (GMHILF) to GMCA where this was required to provide the necessary headroom within the GMHILF to meet commitments in excess of the funding provided by MHCLG, as detailed in paragraphs 3.9 – 3.14, of the report.

5E(i).      REVISED LEVY ALLOCATION METHODOLOGY AGREEMENT FOR WASTE DISPOSAL LEVY (URGENT BUSINESS) (KEY dECISION)

That the Revised Levy Allocation Methodology Agreement for Waste Disposal Levy be approved.

5E (ii).    GM WASTE BUDGET & LEVY 2020/21 AND MEDIUM TERM FINANCIAL PLAN 2023/24 (KEY dECISION)

1.                  That the proposed revised budget for 2020/21, which was expected to be broadly in line with the approved budgetafter transfers from earmarked reserves, be noted.

2.          That the proposed 2021/22 Trade Waste rate of £102.30 to allow forward planning by Districts be approved.

3.          That the capital programme 2020/21 to 2023/24, as set out in Appendix A of the report, and inclusion of consequential revenue effects in the budget and levy from 2020/21, be approved.

4.          That the budget and levy for 2020/21 of £167.242m (4.2% decrease) and allocation to Districts based on latest estimates of tonnages, including street sweepings be approved.

5.          That the expected levy amounts of £164.982m, £168.296m and £170.643m in 2021/22, 2022/23 and 2023/24 respectively be noted.

6.          That the risk position set out in the Balances Strategy and Reserves be noted.

1.                  That the revisions to the 2019/20 capital forecast, as set out in Appendix A and detailed within the report, be approved.

2.                  That the capital programme budget for 2020/21 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 mixture 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 expenditure of £0.80 million for the Albert Street, Hollinwood (Oldham) Growth Deal 2 Minor Works scheme, as set out in section 7 of the report and Appendix B, be approved.

6.                  That it be notedthat the capital programme would continue to be reviewed, with any new schemes which have not yet received specific approval but were included within the programme would be the subject of future reports.

1.                     That the budget relating to the GMCA functions, excluding transport and waste in 2020/21, as set out in section 2 of the report, be approved.

2.                     That the use of Retained Business Rates to fund the 2020 GM Mayoral election (£3.800 million); GM Spatial Framework (£1.045 million) and to continue to fund a number of other ongoing schemes for two further years, as set out in paragraphs 2.9 – 2.29 of the report, at a cost of £2.710 million per annum, be approved.

3.                     That District Contributions of £9.039 million, as set out in section 3 of the report, be approved.

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

1. That the condolences of the GM Mayor and all members of the GMCA be extended to the families of Councillor Ray Bowker (Trafford) and Councillor Christine Wild (Bolton) whose funerals were taking place today. 

2. That the following reports be considered as items of Urgent Business:

• Better Buses Fund
• Revised Levy Allocation Methodology Agreement for Waste Disposal Levy

3. That the recent announcement by the Prime Minister regarding HS2 and Northern PowerHouse Rail, with the establishment of High Speed North tasked to progress the work be welcomed.

4. That it be noted that Government will be pressed for the earliest timetable, recognising that the emphasis must be on delivering the right railway network to ensure that network capacity is future proofed and is a North - South and East –West service for the North.

5. That it be noted that strong representations would be made to Government for the essential investment required at Manchester Piccadilly Rail Station, in particular in relation to platforms 15 & 16, which would deliver benefits by easing the Manchester bottleneck and allowing services to run more freely across the whole of the North of England.

6. That it be noted that on the 25 February 2020 the GM Mayor Andy Burnham and City Mayor Paul Dennett have called for a national lobby of Government to support the residents of Greater Manchester who are victims of unsafe cladding on residential buildings.

7. That it be noted that the High Rise Task Force would be publishing their report on 25 February 2020.

That the apologies be received and noted from Councillors Andrew Western (Trafford), Arooj Shah (Oldham),  Sara Rowbotham and Janet Emsley (Rochdale) and Jenny Bullen (Wigan)  and Eamonn Boylan (GMCA), Sara Todd (Trafford) and Pam Smith (Stockport) - Michael Cullen attending.

Councillor Richard Leese, Deputy Mayor took the Chair for this item of business, given the GMCA was considering the budget proposal from the GM Mayor.

The meeting was advised that a named vote was required to approve the proposals for the Mayoral General Budget.  Members voted on the recommendations as follows:

1.         That the Mayor’s General budget for 2020/21, as set out in this report, together with the calculation of the precepts and Council Tax rates set out in Appendices 3 to 6 be approved.

2.         That the overallMayoralGeneral Preceptof£90.95(Band D) (an additional £14 on the current £76.95) comprisingof£66.20for functions previouslycoveredby theFireandRescue Authorityprecept(an additional £6.25 for 2020/21 on the current £59.95)and£24.75 (an additional £7.75 for 2020/21 on the current £17.00) forotherMayoralGeneralfunctions be approved.

3.         That it be noted that it was proposed that the Mayoral General Precept for 2020/21 was part of a multi-year strategyfor settingtheMayoral preceptbaselinewhichwould be adjustedin future yearsasfurtherMayoral functions were covered by the funding raised.

4.         That the following be approved:

i.      the overall budget proposed for the Fire and Rescue Service, noting the changes in relation to Programme for Change

ii.     the use of the reserves to support the revenue and capital budgets, and the assessment by the Treasurer that the reserves as at March 2021 are adequate

iii.    the proposed capital programme and proposals for funding

iv.    the medium term financial position for all functions covered by the Mayoral precept

5.         That the budget for other Mayoral functions be approved, including the use of £0.5 million of Earnback grant to be used to support GMCA costs relating to bus related activity, including bus reform.

6.         That it be noted that approval to set a Statutory Charge of £86.7 million as set out in Part 4 of the Transport Order, apportioned on the basis of mid-year population as at June 2018 is requested as part of the Transport Revenue Budget report elsewhere on the agenda.

7.         That the use of reserves as set out in paragraphs 5.1 and at Appendix 2, paragraph 9.1 be approved.

8.         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.

9.         That the GM Mayor’s commitment to providing a named Police Constable and Police Constable Support Officer for every ward in Greater Manchester be noted.

10.    That it be noted that following a number of raised concerns, the GM Mayor has determined that the proposed merger of fire stations in Bolton be put on hold to allow for further consultation.

11.    That it be noted that the GM Mayor would be asking Government to match fund the contribution made towards ‘Bed Every Night’ by the GMCA.

12.    That the GMCA recorded its thanks to the people of Greater Manchester for their ongoing support to public services in recent times of austerity.

13.    That in relation to the issue of cyber-crime, it be noted that the GMCA would seek to raise the issue again with the Home Office, as despite the implementation of a range of local measures, there was a need for  increased capacity to ensure resources could meet this growing area of crime.

14.    That it be noted that the GMCA will ask the Government to reaffirm its commitment to maintain the level and increase the length of term of Local Authority budgets to allow for longer term planning, and minimise further cuts to services.

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 the minutes of the GMCA meeting held on 31 January 2020 be approved.

That the GM Mayor, Andy Burnham declared a personal interest in relation to items 11 & 14 (GM Investment Framework Approvals).

1.      That the report be noted.

2.      That the GMCA record its thanks to Steve Wilson (GMCA Treasurer) and officers of the GMCA Finance Team for their work in preparing the budget.

5C(i).    GMCA TRANSPORT REVENUE BUDGET 2020/21 (KEY dECISION)

1.                  That the issues affecting the 2020/21 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 2020/21, be approved.

3.                  That a Transport Levy on the district councils in 2020/21 of £105.773 million, as set on in paragraphs 3.2 – 3.5 of the report, apportioned on the basis of mid-year population as at June 2018, be approved.

4.                  That a Statutory Charge of £86.7 million, as set out in Part 4 of the GMCA (Functions and Amendment) Order 2019, apportioned on the basis of mid-year population as at June 2018, be approved.

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

6.                  That the position on reserves, as identified in the report, be approved.

7.                  That the proposal to drawdown £10 million of funding from retained Business Rates to fund the ongoing development of schemes and the Greater Manchester Infrastructure Programme, subject to the preparation and approval of a business case, be noted.

8.                  That it be noted that the report to GMCA on 7 October 2019 set out and explained the recommendation to the GMCA to approve proceeding to the next stage in the consideration of a proposed franchising scheme, following on from the work undertaken in connection with bus reform; and included a full assessment of how the GMCA could afford to make and operate the proposed scheme.

9.                  That it be noted that it was anticipated that the £17.8 million of contributions by Local Authorities as a proposed one off increase in the statutory contribution in 2020/21 referred to in section 4.4, would be held (in aggregate) by Local Authorities pending a decision by the GM Mayor as to whether to introduce bus franchising.

10.              That the proposal to extend the Women’s Concessionary Travel Scheme (WCTS) to a further cohort of women in Greater Manchester from 1 April 2020 be approved, noting that the estimated costs of c£300,000 are included in TfGM’s 2020/21 budgets.

11.              That the delegation of decisions required to ensure the delivery of the extension of the WCTS be approved, including any updates required to the Local Concessionary Travel Scheme. The delegation to the Chief Executive Officer, GMCA & TfGM and the TfGM Director of Finance and Corporate Services, in consultation with the GMCA Treasurer. 

5C(ii).   BETTER BUSES FUND (urgent business) (KEY dECISION)

1.                  That Greater Manchester’s intention to submit a statement of intent to DfT for £1.589,489 for supported bus services be approved.

2.                  That authority be delegated for the approval of the Greater Manchester approach, bidding criteria and submission of Statement of Intent to DfT by 13 March, to the Chief Executive Officer, GMCA and TfGM, in consultation with the GM Mayor, Portfolio Lead for Investment & Resources and Chair of the Greater Manchester Transport Committee (GMTC).

3.                  That it be noted that a further report would be submitted to a future GMCA meeting on other opportunities for Greater Manchester to apply for funding as part of the Better Deal for Bus Users programme.