SNAG Annual Survey October 1, 2009

This post will remain at the top of the page until 30th November 2009.  All current news posts are below.

Ok here it is – the first SNAG membership survey:

Click Here to take survey

It takes no more than 10 minutes max to complete so please do so.  you don’t have to be a member to take part, but by completing it you automatically become one which is good!

You views really do matter which is why I’m really trying to make you fill it out.  What SNAG does, you decide!

Best Wishes, Tim.

Receptionist Job at Bridge 5 Mill November 9, 2009

We have a receptionist position available at Bridge 5 Mill working for MERCi.

Full Time- £13,382, (9.00 – 5.00 with 1/2hr lunch with TOIL and some overtime)
Three month contract December 2009- March 2010 (extension to March 2011 dependent on expected funding)

Job Description
We are looking for a well-organised, friendly and out-going Receptionist and Event worker. You will run the busy reception at Bridge 5 Mill (B5M) and be the first point of contact for all visitors and tenants. You will also provide the organisation and administration for events and conferences at B5M.

For more information and for the application forms please click here

SNP Forum / Core Strategy 8th December November 9, 2009

Hello All,

The SNP Forum scheduled for 8th December is no more : (

Instead has been Councillor Richard Cowell, Executive Member for Environment, on behalf of Manchester City Council, invites you to attend the Core Strategy Seminar  : ) !!!

So what is the difference?  Unlike a normal SNP Forum there will be some issues covered such as the Airport and Transport and Economy which aren’t aren’t normally discussed.

With the Core Strategy nearing its final stages Planning Strategy are keen to get your views on the Proposed Options document which can be found on the documents page of this website.  For the first time in this process, the Proposed Options proposed policy ideas in line with submissions from the last round of consultation, Refining Options.

The Event will be run in two sessions, one afternoon and one evening – see booking form below for details.

You get to choice which session to go to and which workshops you’d like to attend out of the following:

Housing, District Centres, Environment, Airport, Transport, Economy and General.

If you would like to attend please fill out the attached form:

Pre-Registration Form

It will be assumed that attendees have already read the document or at the very least chapters relevant to the workshops selected to attend.  SNAG members will be issued with a briefing paper which will summarize the content and the emerging policy.

Core Strategy Consultation October 30, 2009

OK we’re almost there now

Welcome to the Proposed Options Stage the Core Strategy for Manchester.  Consultation opens on Monday the 9th of November until 4th January 2009.

I can tell you that Option B was the most popular option following the refined options stage earlier this year (7% of us preferred B), which should please most of you no end.

As ever I’ll be sending a briefing paper to SNAG members ASAP to give you the low down on how the Proposed Option is shaping up.  Certainly none of the headline Spatial Policies have change, but I am yet to see if there is any devil in the detail; I should think not.

So what’s in the option which will lead to the flourishing of Manchester into a green and pleasant, sustainable 21st century haven of well-being and knowledge based industrial excellence?   I’ve only had a quick flick through so these are but my first impressions:

The usual slugs in the pottage include the preference of economic growth over economic development, airport growth (although there are mentions of high speed rail links) over greenbelt protection and a focus on development of the city centre as opposed to effectual sites for employment in the burbs.

I am picking up heightened levels of climate change related activity compared with the previous incarnation of this strategy but the dedicated climate change info measures just 1 small paragraph here and another one there on my climate change policyometer.  The waste management enthusiasts amongst you may find this rather disappointing.

So what’s coming up roses?  If I take number of pages as a proxy to the level of good policy, housing and design are smelling the sweetest.  Economic growth is of course the compost feeding everything in our great Mancunian City.

Watch this space.

Best Wishes, Tim.

SNP Forum – Climate Change Action Plan September 21, 2009

Dear All,

Sustainable Neighbourhoods Partnership Forum

You are invited to the next Forum: which will focus upon:

Climate Change Action in Manchester’s Neighbourhoods.

It will be held on: Wednesday 30^th September, 6-8pm
In: Committee Room 1, Manchester Town Hall.

The Forum will include a presentation from Richard Sharland, Head of Environmental Strategy, Manchester City Council.

The short presentation will be followed by facilitated workshops in which you will be encouraged to contribute constructive suggestions for priorities and actions.

The Green City Team have prepared this outline report about the CCAP.

If you would like to attend the Forum please inform Su Goldthorpe on the below details.

Please also forward this information to others as appropriate.

Best wishes, Tim.

s.goldthorpe@manchester.gov.uk

Tel 0161 234 4125

Manchester Full of Life Festival 2009: The BIG event September 17, 2009

Thursday 1st October 2009, 10.30am – 3.30pm
Manchester Town Hall

Manchester Town Hall hosts a day that’s larger than life with information, activities, taster sessions and services all under one roof. Have a caricature drawn, try Egyptian dancing or simply let your cares float away in the pampering room…there’s something for everyone!

Once again the Big Event will be the highlight of the festivities and is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate growing older in Manchester. This year we’re encouraging you to ‘get involved and stay involved’ by taking part in activities that run right throughout the year. In addition to the usual stalls, activities and entertainment there will be a community room to help you find out how you can lend your time and talents to various organisations in the city.

For further information I have attached the Full of Life Festival Brochure (Big Event listings are on page 3) and a letter providing travel information. I have also included a group registration form, although you don’t have to register to attend the Big Event, using this form can reduce waiting time at the registration desks for groups.

We would like to invite as many older people in Manchester as possible, please pass this information onto anyone that might be interested and we look forward to seeing you there!

If you have any queries or would like to order hard copies of the brochure please contact Rachel York on 0161 234 3547, rachel.york@manchester.gov.uk or visit www.manchester.gov.uk/fulloflife.

Manchester Mayor September 3, 2009

Hello Everyone,

By the 22nd September you will need to make a decision as to whether you would like a Manchester Mayor.  I feel that the information produced by the Council is a little misleading and perhaps a little biased and so wanted to take the opportunity to present you with more information so that you can make the right choice for you.

Under the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007, Manchester City Council must change the way it is governed by the next local election, which will be in May 2010.

Current System in Manchester:

There are 32 wards within the city of Manchester.  The way the population gets a say in the decision / policy making process is through elected representatives.  Each ward has 3 elected members or councillors that act as citizen representatives to influence the how, where, what and when amenities and services are provided.

The Council in Manchester is made up of 96 elected members (3 from each ward).  The council employs officers (confusingly also known (or commonly referred to) as the council) to administer and provide services.  It is the role of the councillors to influence where and at what level services are provided, the role of the officers is to carry these out.  Officers also advise on policy and legislation (legal issues) to ensure the councillors are informed and up to date and acting within the legal limitations and national framework.

The current governance structure the council operates under is known as the leader and cabinet executive model. (introduced in the Local Government Act 2000) and the leader and executive (the cabinet) are appointed by the council.

The executive has 10 members: the leader, 2 deputy leaders and seven executive members each with a special responsibility for a particular area – Adult Services, Arts and Leisure, Children’s Services, Employment and Skills, Environment, Finance and Human Resources, Neighbourhood Services and Direct Services.

The executive is responsible for setting the budgetary and policy framework and has full authority in this respect. This means that most of its decisions do not need (full) council approval.  The other 86 councillors have opportunities to sit on a variety of committees and scrutiny panels to ensure their involvement.

The current Lord Mayor represents the city at ceremonial and social events, meets important visitors, and chairs council meetings. The role is non-political and they cannot make decisions about council business.

An elected Mayor would be responsible for the day-to-day running of local services, and provide political leadership to the council and the community.

The two options and how they are different from the current situation.

Manchester City Councils website has this explanation of the two options:
http://www.manchester.gov.uk/site/scripts/home_info.php?homepageID=447

I will add the differences under each bullet point (in brackets)

Option A: The ‘new-style’ Leader and Cabinet Executive:
This option is very similar to the current set-up. However, the role of the ‘new-style’ leader would be strengthened. (and the council weakened?)

• The leader would be appointed by the council and would be one of the 96 elected councillors.  (The current system employs an annual appointment of leader and cabinet, the main change would be duration.)

• The leader would have a fixed term of four years, but could be removed by the council earlier. (Main change; The introduction of a fixed term; The ability to be removed currently exists but in limited circumstances, the new model will expand on circumstances for removal; Fixed term is also dependant on time remaining i.e. if term is due to expire in 2 years the leader can only lead for two years)

• The leader would appoint a cabinet of at least two and up to nine councillors, one of whom would be appointed as deputy leader.   (It is currently the full council that decide on the cabinet (executive), there is no compulsion now to have deputies;  The (new) leader would be obliged to appoint one member of the executive to be deputy leader. The deputy would act as leader if the leader is unable to act. The same time limit of 4 years, or till end of current term applies to deputy also. However, the leader could remove the deputy leader.)

• The leader could either decide to carry out the council’s executive functions or delegate executive functions to the cabinet, a committee of the cabinet, individual members of the cabinet, or council officers.  (It is currently the (full) council that decide on the functions (via the selection of the cabinet).  The new structure would put this decision in the hands of the leader.)

• The cabinet would recommend the budget and major policies to the council, but the full council could change this by a simple majority.  (Under the current system the council’s policy framework and budget would be agreed by the full council following proposals from the executive. The executive would then be charged with implementing the agreed policy framework. Overview and scrutiny committees, which may co-opt people who are not councillors onto their committees, would be charged with holding the executive accountable for that implementation. It is not obvious if / how this would change)

• There would be no additional cost.  (At least not the obvious additional financial cost of running a separate election for a Mayor)

Option B: The Elected Mayor and Cabinet Executive:
The elected Mayor would only represent the city of Manchester and not the Greater Manchester region, unlike in London, where their Mayor represents the whole of Greater London.

• The Mayor would be elected by local electors in a separate election and would be in addition to the 96 elected councillors.  (There would be a directly elected person leading the council instead of an indirectly elected one. This person could be from a political party or a non partisan independent.)

• The Mayor would hold office for four years and could not be removed by the council.  (This is an interesting position. Unlike the leader, who having been selected by the council could be removed by the council (criteria dependant) it would be not so (easy) with an elected Mayor. It is possible though (as it is currently possible to remove any elected representative) depending on the reasons. There is a codes and protocol section of the councils constitution that elected members have to abide by (an elected Mayor would technically be classed the same as a councillor in respect of this) breaching these could result in standards committee intervention. The constitution is available to view Here:)

• The Mayor would appoint a cabinet of at least two and up to nine councillors, one of whom would be appointed as deputy Mayor.  (As option A: There is no difference between the models here, only how the person making the decision got to be in that position.)

• The Mayor could either decide to carry out the council’s executive functions or delegate executive functions to the cabinet, a committee of the cabinet, individual members of the cabinet, or council officers.  (As option A: There is no difference between the models here, only how the person making the decision got to be in that position)

• The cabinet would recommend the budget and major policies to the council, but the full council could only change this by a two-thirds majority.  (The size of the majority needed to change budgetary / policy issues is increased from a simple majority to two thirds (64 or more). With the current partisan make-up of the council being; Con=1, Lab=62 and Lib=33 it would require a collaboration across parties)

• This option would require an increase in cost for an election and a greater special responsibility allowance for the Mayor.  (The additional cost for elections is an extra. We currently have an election in three out of four years.  The special responsibilities allowance – There already are special allowances paid to the leader and two deputies. Only having one of each (leader/mayor plus one deputy) will reduce the current amount. How much a Mayor would be paid is not yet decided (or a ‘new style’ leader for that matter))

The ‘new’ Leader / Mayor and cabinet executive differs from the existing Manchester model in a number of ways. Where the council used to decide:

• the Leader/Mayor would determine the size of the executive. (limited to a maximum of 10 members)

• the Leader/Mayor would appoint the members of the executive and could remove them at any time, effectively enabling mid-term “reshuffles”

• the Leader/Mayor has to appoint one member of the executive to be deputy Leader/Mayor. The deputy will act as Leader/Mayor if the Leader/Mayor is unable to act. The same time limit of 4 years, or till end of current term applies to deputy also. However, the Leader/Mayor can remove the deputy Leader/Mayor.

• The Leader/Mayor would determine the arrangements for the delegation of executive functions which can be personally discharged by the Leader/Mayor or delegated to:-

1. the whole executive;
2. a single member of the executive;
3. a committee of the executive;
4. an officer of the authority

To cast your vote please see: http://www.manchester.gov.uk/itsyourmanchester

Generation Project – Take up Champion August 28, 2009

The Generation Project are running another programme providing information to anyone who lives or works in East Manchester, who wishes to help older people to improve their quality of life, by accessing benefits and services.
The programme takes place one day a week for 12 weeks. Each week someone from a different service or organisation comes and talks about the help they can offer to older people. The programme includes sessions on disability benefits, health services and carers support and includes trips out to centres. The training is FREE, lunch provided and fare money paid. The next programme begins on the 20th October 09 and will be on a Tuesday at the Openshaw Resource Centre.
For more information or to book a place contact Judith Baron at: The Generation Project, Phoenix Mill, Piercy Street, M4 7HY, on  0161 202 2522 or  by emailing jbaron@careandrepair-manchester.org.uk.

Corridor Manchester August 19, 2009

Investigations have been made into the utilities and services infrastructure of one of the Manchester’s most bustling areas.  The oxford Road Corridor is a major destination for work, education and health as well as for leisure act ivies and serving as a major transport artery to the south of the city.

Corridor Manchester is the new name for Manchester City South the partnership – a group of major institutions based in the corridor itself – which are working together to improve the area through their own programmes of development – but in a combined way.

This latest study investigates the capacity of the Oxford Road Corridor’s electricity and gas distribution network, sewerage and waste water systems and digital infrastructure (i.e. the stuff which enables us to make a phone call or use the internet and watch cable.)  It also predicts the demand that planned and future developments along the corridor such as new buildings for example will have on these infrastructures and what if any extra capacity must be installed to meet this demand.

The Executive Summary of this report is available here and my notes which are pretty similar but worded a little less “executively” are here.

Transforming Places August 3, 2009

In July 2008, the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) published their draft Framework for Regeneration known as ‘transforming places; changing lives’. Following a consultation period Urban Forum produced this document which sets out how the government is taking forward the delivery of a new national framework to shape the way that regeneration is carried out in England.

This document can be seen here UF Transforming Places