The Council met to elect a new Lord Mayor and Deputy Lord Mayor, and to formally thank the outgoing Lord Mayor. The meeting also saw the election of the Leader of the Council and the announcement of Executive Members and their portfolios.

Election of Lord Mayor

Councillor Shaukat Ali was elected as the new Lord Mayor of Manchester for the 2026/27 Municipal Year. The election was conducted by acclamation.

Vote of Thanks to the Retiring Lord Mayor

A resolution of thanks was adopted for the retiring Lord Mayor, Councillor Carmine. Councillor Bev Craig, Leader of the Council, thanked Councillor Carmine for his amazing and outstanding hard work and highlighted his 500 engagements during his term. Councillor Astrid Johnson, Leader of the Green Group, praised Councillor Carmine for his genuine interest in Manchester and its people, noting his efforts to honour community champions. Councillor John Leech, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, also paid tribute to Councillor Carmine, stating that he would be genuinely missed across the whole of the Chamber and was considered a good Manchester guy regardless of your political colours. Councillor Richard Kilpatrick shared a personal anecdote about Councillor Carmine's support when he was first elected, and recounted an event where Councillor Carmine lit a menorah in Didsbury, demonstrating his commitment to community cohesion. Councillor Asli, representing a new group, also offered best wishes to Councillor Carmine. Councillor Carmine himself reflected on his year in office, expressing gratitude and pride in the people of Manchester. He highlighted the work of the We Love Manchester charity, which funded 36 community groups with £120,000 and supported 28 young people with nearly £50,000.

Appointment of Deputy Lord Mayor

The meeting agenda included the appointment of a Deputy Lord Mayor, however, the transcript does not contain details of this appointment.

Election of the Leader of the Council

The agenda indicated that the Leader of the Council would be elected. Councillor Bev Craig was subsequently referred to as the Leader of the Council.

Announcement of Executive Members and their Portfolios

The agenda stated that a report on the announcement of Executive Members and their portfolios would follow. The transcript does not contain details of this announcement.

Constitution of the Council

The agenda indicated that a report on the Constitution of the Council would follow. The transcript does not contain details of this discussion.

Appointment of Council Committees and Chairs

The agenda included the approval of appointments to various Council committees and their chairs. The transcript does not contain details of these appointments.

Appointments to the Combined Authority, Joint Authorities and Joint Committees

The agenda indicated that recommendations from the Constitutional and Nomination Committee regarding appointments to the Combined Authority, Joint Authorities and Joint Committees would be circulated and considered. The transcript does not contain details of these appointments.

Seniority of Councillors

The agenda indicated that a report on the seniority of councillors for 2026/27 would follow. The transcript does not contain details of this discussion.

Dates of Council Meetings 2026/27

The agenda proposed the following dates for ordinary Council meetings in 2026/27: Wednesday 15 July 2026, Wednesday 23 September 2026, Wednesday 25 November 2026, Wednesday 27 January 2027, Friday 26 February 2027 (Budget), Wednesday 17 March 2027, and Wednesday 19 May 2027 (Annual Council meeting). The transcript does not contain a record of the agreement of these dates.

Minutes of Previous Meeting

The minutes of the Council meeting held on 18 March 2026 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Lord Mayor.

Interests

Councillor Razaq declared a personal interest in minute number CC/26/21 (Questions to Executive Members and others) as a part owner of property and left the meeting during its consideration.

Notice of Motion - Standing up for our Renters

Councillor White proposed a motion, seconded by Councillor Gartside, which was carried. The motion resolved to:

• Publish a city-wide 'Know your Renters Rights' campaign.
• Establish a new Renters Rights' team to assist residents with their rights and landlords.
• Explore options for the future of the housing and legal advice contract, including insourcing the service.
• Redouble efforts to deliver at least 10,000 new social, council, and genuinely affordable homes by 2032.
• Explore options to expand the landlord licensing programme, including selective licensing and additional licensing measures.
• Work with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) on the roll-out of the Good Landlord Charter, noting the requirement for all Private Rented Sector (PRS) properties to be at least EPC C by 2030.

Notice of Motion - Cleaning up our communities: Everyone must act

Councillor Igbon submitted a motion, which was amended by Councillor Nunney and accepted by Councillor Igbon, forming the substantive motion. This motion was carried and resolved to:

• Call on all residents, businesses, public sector bodies, landowners, and community groups to commit to the Clean Streets charter.
• Call on ward neighbourhood officers, councillors, and partners to establish community action days, community skips, and mass clean-ups, and to facilitate residents and community groups in doing so.
• Campaign for the Government to review sentencing guidelines for fly-tipping offenders to enable bigger fines, quicker action, and community payback sentencing.
• Write to GM Mayor Andy Burnham and Deputy Mayor for Policing Kate Green to call for Greater Manchester Police (GMP) to take robust action and allow a quicker roll-out of CCTV.

Proceedings of the Executive

The Council received the part proceedings (non-budget) of the Executive on 11 February 2026 and the full proceedings on 13 March 2026. The Council agreed to adopt the Tenancy Strategy 2026-2031 as part of the Council's Policy Framework.

Questions to Executive Members and Others

Several questions were put to Executive Members regarding various issues, including bin collections, Ofsted ratings of schools, the Didsbury Point development, new housing in Higher Blackley, extra care schemes in Wythenshawe, the Grey Mare Lane estate, the pub on Palmerston Street, local amenities in regeneration areas, the River Mersey flood strategy, concerns of hospitality businesses, road resurfacing work, planning and licensing complaints, surface flood risk, fire safety legislation in hospitality venues, and the impact of higher energy costs on residents.

Scrutiny Committees

The minutes of the Environment, Climate Change and Neighbourhoods; Economy and Regeneration; Communities and Equalities; Children and Young People; Health; and Resources and Governance Scrutiny Committee meetings held between February and March 2026 were received.

Proceedings of Committees

The minutes of the Audit Committee, Planning Committee, Licensing Committee, Standards Committee, and Personnel Committee were submitted. The Council approved the establishment of two new posts: Director of Homelessness & Housing Policy and Director of Housing, both graded at SS4. The existing post of Director of Housing Operations was disestablished. The Council also approved the Draft Pay Policy Statement 2026/27, including the Pay and Grading Structure for 2026/27, and the establishment of a Director of Culture and Creative Industries, also graded at SS4.

Key Decisions Report

The Council noted the report of the City Solicitor on key decisions taken in accordance with the urgency provisions in the Council's Constitution.