The Resources and Governance Scrutiny Committee of Manchester City Council is scheduled to consider updates on the council's anti-poverty measures and plans for housing repairs and maintenance. The committee will also review key decisions and the council's work programme.

Anti-Poverty Budget Update

The committee is scheduled to review a report from the City Treasurer concerning the council's current budgets and support mechanisms for delivering anti-poverty measures. The report is expected to identify existing provisions and explore options for future anti-poverty initiatives. This includes an examination of the Council Tax Support Scheme, the Vulnerable Renters Fund, Housing Payments, the Welfare Provision Scheme, and Discretionary Council Tax Payments. Additionally, the report will detail the additional funding provided to address the Cost-of-Living Crisis, such as the Household Support Fund, Crisis and Resilience Fund, Cost of Living Fund (Residents at Risk), and the Council Tenants' Support Fund. Longer-term strategies, including the Making Manchester Fairer Anti-Poverty Strategy, will also be discussed. The report highlights that the council has voluntarily adopted the Socio-Economic Duty (SED) in October 2024, committing to consider poverty impacts in all budget and policy decisions.

Housing Repairs Insourcing and Recommissioning

A significant portion of the meeting is expected to be dedicated to the future of housing repairs and maintenance services. The council's contract with Equans for these services is due to expire on 31 March 2027. In February 2026, the Executive provided in-principle approval to develop a model that would bring the principal operational elements of the service under direct Council management, while specialist functions would be recommissioned through external procurement.

The report on this matter, presented by the Strategic Director (Neighbourhoods), is expected to outline the proposed model, its supporting business plan, mobilisation arrangements, financial implications, and key risks. The intention is for these new arrangements to commence from 1 April 2027. The report notes that the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) is currently operating at a significant annual deficit, and insourcing the principal repairs service is a key component of a recovery plan. The proposed model forecasts a reduction in annual operating costs and aims to provide greater control over service delivery, workforce development, and customer experience.

Overview Report

The committee is also scheduled to receive an Overview Report from the Governance and Scrutiny Support Unit. This report is expected to provide details of key decisions that fall within the committee's remit, an update on actions resulting from the committee's previous recommendations, and the committee's work programme, which the committee will be asked to amend and agree. The report will include an extract from the Register of Key Decisions, detailing decisions that are likely to have a significant impact on the council's budget or the communities within the city.

The committee's work programme for upcoming meetings, including discussions on the Workforce Strategy Update, Annual Property Report, Capital Investment Programme, and the 2027/28 budget process, is also scheduled for review.