The Council meeting on Wednesday 15 July 2026 primarily focused on noting urgent key decisions made since the last meeting and addressing several notices of motion concerning the city's future, housing, and social issues. Key decisions included approving contracts for electricity and gas supply, and awarding a temporary contract for home from hospital services. The Council also considered motions regarding a New Era for Manchester, record housing delivery, confronting far-right rhetoric, and a pension divestment survey.

Urgent Key Decisions

The Council noted a report detailing urgent key decisions taken in accordance with the Council's Constitution's urgency provisions. These decisions were made because immediate action was required and could not be subject to the normal call-in arrangements.

• Provider(s) for the provision of insurance coverage: A decision was made on 19 March 2026 to appoint providers for insurance coverage. The urgency was due to the complexity of the procurement process and the impending expiry of current contracts on 31 March 2026, necessitating new contracts to commence from 1 April 2026 to ensure legislative compliance, continuity of coverage, and adequate financial protection. This decision was taken by the Deputy Chief Executive and City Treasurer and approved by Councillor Andrew Simcock, Scrutiny Chair.
• Fixed-term contract for electricity and related services to MCC's corporate estate: A decision was made on 17 March 2026 to call off a fixed-term contract for electricity supply from 1 April 2026 to 31 May 2026. The urgency stemmed from the need to secure a contract before the current one expired on 31 March 2026 to avoid out-of-contract rates, given the significant volatility in electricity wholesale markets. This decision was taken by the Deputy Chief Executive and City Treasurer and approved by Councillor Andrew Simcock, Scrutiny Chair.
• Fixed-term contract for electricity and related services to Manchester City Council's Associated Sites portfolio: A decision was made on 2 July 2026 to call off a fixed-term electricity contract from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027. The urgency was to ensure continuity of supply for the Associated Sites Portfolio and avoid out-of-contract rates, with the Corporate Energy Team needing authority to approve pricing at short notice due to market volatility. This decision was taken by the Deputy Chief Executive and City Treasurer and approved by Councillor Andrew Simcock, Scrutiny Chair.
• Fixed-term contract for electricity and related services to MCC's corporate estate (including street lighting): A decision was made on 2 June 2026 to call off a fixed-term electricity contract backdated from 1 June 2026 to 31 August 2026. The urgency was to extend the contract before its expiry on 31 May 2026 to avoid out-of-contract rates and to align with the go-live of the Corporate PPA. Market volatility necessitated the authority to approve pricing at short notice. This decision was taken by the Deputy Chief Executive and City Treasurer and approved by Councillor Sam Wheeler, Scrutiny Chair.
• Fixed-term contract for the supply of gas to MCC's corporate estate: A decision was made on 2 July 2026 to call off a fixed-term gas contract from 1 March 2026 to 31 March 2027. The urgency was to secure a contract before the current one expired on 31 March 2026 to avoid out-of-contract rates, with the energy supplier able to provide fixed pricing on the same day as a request due to market volatility. This decision was taken by the Deputy Chief Executive and City Treasurer and approved by Councillor Andrew Simcock, Scrutiny Chair.
• Temporary Home from Hospital contract to Age UK Manchester: A decision was made on 30 June 2026 to award a temporary contract to Age UK Manchester for the Home from Hospital service, commencing on 1 July 2026. The urgency was to ensure service continuity, as the original procurement had to be stopped for technical reasons, and a decision was required by 1 July 2026. The net cost to the Council was £88,000 per annum, with the majority of funding provided by the NHS. This decision was taken by the Strategic Director Adult Social Service and approved by Cllr Basil Curley, Chair of Health Scrutiny.

Notice of Motion - A New Era for Manchester

Councillor Pat Karney proposed, and Councillor Julie Reid seconded, a motion welcoming the Labour government's agenda under Prime Minister Andy Burnham, which aims to deliver far-reaching and radical changes. The motion highlighted pledges to build the largest number of council houses since the post-war period, implement a new deal for young people, bring water, energy, and transport industries under public control, commit to good growth in every postcode, and support high streets and the pub and hospitality sector. The motion proposed that the Council meet with the Prime Minister and the New Mayor of Greater Manchester to ensure Manchester is at the forefront of these initiatives, draw up implementation plans, and work with No.10 North to become an early adopter of these new policies, and declared that Manchester was ready to lead this new era of devolution.

Notice of Motion - Manchester delivers a record number of new social and affordable homes

Councillor Gavin White proposed, and Councillor Sam Lynch seconded, a motion celebrating Manchester's delivery of a record number of new social and affordable homes. The motion noted that 901 affordable homes were built in 2025/2026, part of a wider delivery of 4,766 homes, including 439 for social rent. This was described as the biggest delivery of affordable homes in over 25 years. The motion also highlighted the construction of 130 low-carbon, council homes for social rent in Collyhurst and plans for more in Victoria North. It welcomed the reduction of over 1,500 households on the housing register between January and June 2026 and acknowledged the ambitious direction set by Prime Minister Andy Burnham to support councils in building more council homes. The motion proposed that the Council continue working with partners to deliver more homes, seek funding from the government and the new Mayor of Greater Manchester, accelerate the Renters' Rights Team, and call for devolved powers for rent caps and controls in the private rented sector.

Notice of Motion - Confronting the Normalisation of Far-Right Rhetoric and Safeguarding Manchester's Equalities Framework

Councillor Amna Saad Omar Abdullatif proposed, and Councillor Hussayn Salem seconded, a motion condemning the rise in organised far-right activity, Islamophobia, and anti-migrant rhetoric. The motion referenced recent events in Belfast and Glasgow, as well as March for Remigration demonstrations in Manchester, as evidence of a coordinated normalisation of harmful rhetoric amplified by social media and some political figures. The Council noted the tangible consequences for public safety and community cohesion, particularly for residents from global majority, migrant, and Muslim communities. The motion further highlighted the risk of national protections being weakened and the need for local resilience. The motion proposed that the Council formally condemn this rhetoric, request a scrutiny report on the resilience of the Council's equalities duties, write to the new Greater Manchester Mayor and GMCA regarding a coordinated regional response, and ask the Manchester Community Safety Partnership to prioritise issues related to far-right radicalisation and hate crime. The Council also reaffirmed its support for the Equality and Human Rights Commission and the Human Rights Act 1998, and requested the Executive to consult with relevant community groups on protective measures. Finally, the motion proposed that the Council review internal communications and safeguarding guidance to ensure staff have clear routes to report harassment.

Notice of Motion - Pension Divestment Survey

Councillor Thirza Amina Asanga-Rae proposed, and Councillor Shams Syed seconded, a motion expressing deep concern over global conflicts and the investment of pension contributions from the Greater Manchester Pension Fund (GMPF) into arms companies. The motion stated that GMPF had not consulted its members on these investments and had taken no action on previous motions to divest from fossil fuels and arms sales. It highlighted that GMPF invests over £850 million in companies profiting from arms sales to states and entities that breach international law. The motion proposed that the Council request GMPF to conduct a survey of council employees who are scheme members, work with GMPF to devise a plan to divest from inhumane companies, and request GMPF to make the survey results public.

Proceedings of the Executive

The Council received minutes from the Executive meetings held on 10 June and 8 July 2026. Key items included:

• Capital Programme Outturn 2025/26: The Executive recommended that the Council approve budget changes to the capital programme, including a £4.3m increase for Finlay's Yard Acquisition to provide temporary accommodation for homeless families, funded by HRA borrowing and government grant. A £2.064m increase for Highways Maintenance, funded by borrowing, was also recommended to continue road and footway maintenance.
• Revenue Budget Outturn 2025/26: The Executive noted the 2025/26 overspend of £4.2m, largely due to pressures in Adult and Children's services, and approved the proposed use of revenue grant funding across various directorates, including significant grants for Special Schools, Homelessness Prevention, and the Manchester Recovery Programme.
• Empty Homes Strategy – Results of Public Consultation: The Executive adopted the revised Empty Homes Strategy, which aims to bring empty homes back into use amidst high housing demand and affordability challenges.
• Piccadilly Station Development: The Executive noted updates on the Northern Growth Strategy and rail infrastructure, including the ongoing assessment of options for the Northern Powerhouse Rail Station at Manchester Piccadilly.
• Update on investment in District Centres and Localities: The Executive noted the ongoing work to invest in and regenerate Manchester's district centres, local centres, and high streets, with a focus on delivery in areas like Gorton and Wythenshawe, and plans for future development frameworks in Harpurhey, Cheetham Hill, and Longsight.

Scrutiny Committees

The Council noted the minutes of various Scrutiny Committees, including:

• Neighbourhoods, Environment and Climate Change Scrutiny Committee: Minutes from meetings on 2 June and 30 June 2026 were noted.
• Economy Scrutiny Committee: Minutes from meetings on 2 June and 30 June 2026 were noted, including discussions on the Economy Dashboard and efforts to reduce young people not in education, employment, or training (NEET).
• Communities and Equalities Scrutiny Committee: Minutes from meetings on 3 June and 1 July 2026 were noted. The latter included discussions on child-led approaches in community safety, the City Centre Public Space Protection Order (PSPO), and the annual Public Sector Equality Duty update.
• Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee: Minutes from the meeting on 3 June 2026 were noted, including discussions on re-establishing the Ofsted Subgroup.
• Health Scrutiny Committee: Minutes from the meeting on 4 June 2026 were noted, with the Chair emphasising the committee's role in constructively scrutinising the city-wide health system.
• Resources and Governance Scrutiny Committee: Minutes from the meeting on 4 June 2026 were noted, including a decision to defer the re-establishment of the Housing Repairs and Maintenance Service Scrutiny Subgroup.

Proceedings of Committees

The Council received minutes from various committees, including:

• Licensing Committee: Minutes from 16 March 2026 were approved, noting the affirmation of current arrangements for licensing authority delegations and the General Licensing Annual Report 2025.
• Licensing and Appeals Committee: Minutes from 16 March 2026 were approved, with the Committee approving the draft Street Trading Policy for public consultation.
• Planning Committee: Minutes from meetings on 9 April, 28 May, and 11 June 2026 were approved. Decisions included approving applications for fencing at Parrs Wood High School, townhouses on Commercial Street, a four-storey commercial building on Tib Street, a retail convenience store on Ebsworth Street, residential extensions on Derby Road, and a Tree Preservation Order at 85 Manley Road. The committee also approved an entertainment venue on Gibbon Street, a change of use to an SEMH school on Quenby Street, a place of worship and educational building on Winterford Road, and a 3G football pitch at Wythenshawe Town FC.
• Personnel Committee: Minutes from 10 June 2026 were approved, including the agreement of amended Disciplinary Procedures for the Chief Executive, Monitoring Officer, and Chief Finance Officer.
• Health and Wellbeing Board: Minutes from 10 June 2026 were approved, noting updates on the Manchester Partnership Board, the MFT Strategy Refresh, the Population Health and Insight Profile, the Better Care Fund Plan, and a progress update on people experiencing sight loss. The Board also supported a strengthened focus on equitable access to defibrillators and endorsed the Manchester Best Start in Life Strategy delivery plan. A review of the Accessible Information Standard in GP Practices was also noted.
• Audit Committee: Minutes from 16 June 2026 were approved. The Committee noted the Annual Internal Audit Assurance Opinion and Report 2025/26, the draft Annual Governance Statement 2025/26, and approved the accounting policies for 2025/26 and the Internal Audit Plan for 2026/27. The Treasury Management Outturn Report 2025-26 was also noted.
• Standards Committee: Minutes from 24 June 2026 were approved, noting the efficacy of the Gifts and Hospitality Policy, approving the content of the Members' Update on Ethical Governance, noting the operation of the Planning Protocol, and noting the position regarding the Member/Officer Relations Protocol. The Committee also agreed its work programme.

Key Decisions Report

The Council noted the report of the City Solicitor detailing urgent key decisions taken since the last meeting.