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

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

Latest EAP July 24, 2009

Hello,

Well a very short meeting but one attended at least by the Leader Sir Richard.  It always makes me a little happier when the big guns turn up.

Right so what happened?  Er…  I have to say not very much sadly.  In a nut shell “The main thrust of the discussion centred around the divide between focus on mitigation at the expense of adaptation or we can and should do both because they are so interlinked it wouldn’t work any other way.” At the end of the meeting I couldn’t help that many were still on the fence or were slightly confused as to whether a decision had been made.

There were no matters arising from the previous minutes and they were passed as a true and accurate reflection of the previous session.

There was a very short talk through the minutes of the ESPB meeting held on 9th July to which the only comment from the panel was to question the dedication of ESPB officers sitting on the Board due to apologies given and/or deputies sent.  It is worth mentioning here that there a very many number of other meetings – meetings with contractors, developers, GONW, service providers which may very well take priority over business meetings because no attendance would slow delivery.  There are also great efforts going into informing officers of potential and significant initiatives such as the Deep Geothermal seminar which was held in a full Lord Mayor’s Parlour.

There followed a question as to the scrutiny of  environmental strategy with suggestions the OSC should be doing more perhaps to drive the agenda forward as should input from opposition councillors.  Sir Richard answered accordingly that OSCs don’t drive forward anything – they scrutinise; neither do opposition councillors, so perhaps engaging with both the executive and the party in power might be a more successful method of driving any agenda.

The last item on the agenda was “the role and remit of the 5 thematic groups” but this seemed to be abandoned in favour of discussing mitigation vs adaptation.  Arguments included but were not exhaustive of:

• the headline aim of the CCAP is to reduce emission by a minimum of 1m tonnes;
• focus on mitigation but where ever possible include adaptation issues if they do not detract from the emissions reductions;
• focus on mitigation but remember that some mitigation exercises will direct us away from a the end goal of low carbon lifestyles…

Although I failed to see any concrete adoption of any of the above – I sensed that the the second argument got the most votes in people’s minds.

Obviously from a Transition point of view, it is important to start from a vision – the end goal and working backwards plan each and every move so that all mitigation and adaptation can be planned to achieve the vision.  I think the problem here is that we have until mid September to sort something out.  Time is a luxury right now that we can’t afford.  So mitigation first, then with more time on our side, construct the adaptation plans (which as was pointed out are largely determined by what happens in Copenhagen anyway) post December.

Worth mentioning that adaptation here = climate change adaptation such as flood defense and not behavioural adaptation – which is a worry.  Other points to develop at a later date are international connections and interactions, using the core cities to progress national transition thinking and peak oil.  (I did plant the question of peak oik and where its related issues fits into the CCAP; the response was that CCAP Energy Group will cover this, to which I responded it’s not really an energy issue it’s re-skilling and behavioural change issue.  A debate perhaps for another time…?).

Thoughts on a postcard please… you know the address, Tim.

Climate Change – a Year from Now July 23, 2009

On Tuesday August 4th, the people of Greater Manchester have an opportunity to come together to share knowledge and ideas about Climate Change and what to do about it.

A meeting at the Friends Meeting House will “look back” from August 2010 at three vital events:
the Copenhagen Climate Conference of December 2009
UK national election, to be held no later than June 2010
Manchester City Council Action Plan, produced in the second half of 2009, and “rolled out” during 2010.

On each theme, experts will speak briefly of the likely outcomes at each of these levels and their consequences. There will be ample time for questions, comments and suggestions.

Confirmed speakers include:
Dina Baird, the city mobiliser for Manchester of the Stop Climate Chaos Coalition
Cllr Richard Cowell, Manchester City Council Executive Member for the Environment
A speaker from the grass-roots “Call to Real Action” group
A Conservative Party representative (invited)

The meeting has three purposes – info-sharing, networking and brainstorming.

The meeting will take place at the Friends Meeting House, 6 Mount St, Central Manchester (behind the Central Library). Stalls will be open from 7pm, with the meeting starting at 7.30pm.  It will finish no later than 9:10pm.  MCF will produce a booklet for the event with information on each of
the three themes.

The evening is free to attend, but we will be shaking a bucket and hoping to get a gold coin or two out of everyone.

The meeting is co-hosted by Manchester Climate Forum (www.manchesterclimateforum.org.uk) and Call to Real Action (www.calltorealaction.wordpress.com)

Notes from SNP Board Meeting July 22, 2009

Board held Thursday 17th July (postponed from 17th June)

SNP Board Papers Review

16^th July 2009 (postponed from 17^th June)

Item 1 – Welcome and Apologies

Richard Sharland has excepted his appointment onto the SNP Board in his capacity as Head of Environment Strategy.

Item 2 – Minutes of the last Meeting

No matters arising from previous minutes.

Item 3 – SNP Forum Report

Report Noted and Cllr Andrews commented that it was well attended and very useful.

Item 4 – Consultation and Delivery of the Housing Strategy

Housing have commissioned a number of thematic focus groups to feed into the delivery of this strategy from the thematic partnerships, including children’s, adults’, crime & disorder. Northwards Housing in their capacity as the city’s ALMO¹ have been commissioned to produce a report on the “Golden thread” of Housing Policy – from National to Local, with the intent to produce a report and recommendations this September.

I explained that during consultation on the Core Strategy, SNAG members had raised the issue of utilizing city centre apartments for use by older people due to the many benefits they provide for older people and asked if this had been examined by Housing in their own research. Gail Heath² explained that it had been raised, but that older people found it more important to live in areas with a sense of community. If a strong older people’s community could be established in the centre then city apartments would be ideal. Gail added that further work was to be carried-out around the inter-relation between older people in large homes and fuel poverty. This work would be in tandem with work being progressed by VOP on fuel poverty. Further consultation will target key business areas using partners as the conduit for this process.

Overview and Scrutiny (Housing Sub-group) remain committed to the 60% target in owner-occupier by 2015 (this may be altered to 60% or 50,000 new owners) due to the recession.

SNAG have been asked to make comment on the Housing Strategy and comments must be submitted by the end of August. I shall issue a questionnaire which will enable you to pass comment fairly easily and quickly.

Item 5 – Neighbourhood Focus Strategy

Vicky Rosin stated that more work is being carried out on the outcomes of the Neighbourhood Focus Strategy before work can begin on its implementation. Vicky Rosin is to brief the CEOs of many of the Council’s partners such as the RSLs³ PCT⁴ and members of thematic partnership boards with the aim to report to the Executive in September. This is one of the most important customers strategies in the Council’s framework.

SNAG to be issued with a briefing paper ASAP.

Item 6 – LAA Quarter 4 Performance Report

Vicky noted that in future there may be a case for performance reporting by thematic partnerships to be conducted at different scales depending on the level of the indicator i.e. 1, 2, 3 or 4.

Item 7 – SNP Action Plan (draft).

The draft action plan highlights a number of quick fire actions which the SNP can deliver straight-away. It also highlights some larger actions which need special devotion. It will be important to the efficiency of the process for SNP partners such as the PCT to illustrate areas of best practice e.g. world class commissioning, so that SNP can replicate the processes.

1Arms Length Management Organisation

2Standing in for Paul Beardmore – Head of Housing

3Registered Social Landlords

4Primary Care Trust