The Resources and Governance Scrutiny Committee of Manchester Council met on Thursday 8 October 2026 to review the council's property portfolio, discuss the progress of its Workforce Strategy, and receive an update on the Manchester Energy Network. The committee also considered an overview report detailing key decisions and actions from previous recommendations.

Annual Property Report 2026

The committee was scheduled to receive an update on the council's property activities since October 2025. The report, prepared by the Strategic Director (Growth and Development), was expected to cover the council's diverse property portfolio, including operational, investment, and development estates. Key achievements highlighted in the report included the generation of £19.2 million in capital receipts, maintaining a capital receipts pipeline valued at approximately £135 million, and the release of land intended to provide 1,342 homes, of which 986 would be affordable. The report also detailed progress on major regeneration programmes such as Victoria North, Mayfield, and Wythenshawe Town Centre, and outlined efforts to reduce the council's carbon emissions through its property assets. The report detailed the work of the Estates and Facilities Service and the Development Team, covering areas such as disposals, the Strategic Asset Management Plan (SAMP), and updates on development projects across the city, including Church Street, Manchester Digital Campus, Upper Brook Street, Mayfield, Holt Town, and various sites in the South and East of Manchester. The Investment Estate update indicated an annual revenue of £21.9 million, with ongoing work to improve data quality and performance management. The Operational Estate and Facilities Service update detailed refurbishments, decarbonisation schemes, and the progress of the Capital Annual Maintenance Programme, aiming to ensure buildings remain operational, safe, and compliant. The Zero Carbon Estates Programme update focused on reducing the council's carbon emissions, with seven decarbonisation schemes completed and further projects in the pipeline.

Workforce Strategy

The committee was scheduled to review the delivery and impact of the council's Workforce Strategy 2023–2026, titled Good Work in a Great City Council. This strategy focuses on five key priorities: attracting, developing, and retaining diverse talent; being an inclusive employer; supporting a healthy and thriving workforce; developing effective leaders and managers; and building a high-performing workforce. The report, presented by the Strategic Director (Corporate Services) and City Treasurer, was expected to summarise progress made over the three years of the strategy, identify remaining challenges, and outline learning that will inform the next phase of the council's workforce approach. The accompanying presentation indicated progress in reducing staff turnover and vacancy rates, expanding apprenticeship participation, and strengthening approaches to workforce equality and inclusion. However, challenges remain, including an increase in sickness absence, persistent inequalities in recruitment and progression, and management capacity. The next phase of the strategy aims to embed successful talent initiatives, strengthen succession planning, address inequalities, reduce sickness absence, clarify leadership expectations, and improve the measurement of workforce outcomes. The report also included a detailed Workforce Diversity Profile for 2026, highlighting representation across various demographics and grade bands, and identifying areas for improvement in recruitment and progression, particularly for Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic employees and disabled staff.

Manchester Energy Network Business Update

An update on the business performance of the Manchester Energy Network was scheduled for discussion. This network, wholly owned by Manchester City Council, supplies heat and power to assets in the Civic Quarter. The report, from the Strategic Director (Corporate Services) and City Treasurer, was expected to cover customer connections, gas procurement and pricing, resourcing, and financial performance. The network has seen a positive financial trajectory, moving from a loss in 2023/24 to a profit in 2024/25 and a further profit in 2025/26. The report also detailed plans for the decarbonisation of the network, with a preferred route involving the installation of an Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP). However, this project is currently paused due to potential changes in government carbon emission limits, which could necessitate a redesign and significant additional capital funding. The network is also preparing for the introduction of Ofgem's heat network regulatory framework, with most requirements already established. Priorities for the coming months include maintaining business-as-usual operations, recruiting an Operations Manager, ensuring financial stability, fully connecting the Town Hall, progressing decarbonisation plans, refining business documents for regulatory compliance, and developing a new business plan.

Overview Report

The committee was also scheduled to receive an Overview Report from the Governance and Scrutiny Support Unit. This report typically provides details of key decisions falling within the committee's remit, an update on actions resulting from previous committee recommendations, and the committee's work programme. The report was expected to include a Recommendations Monitor, detailing the status of recommendations made at previous meetings, and an extract from the Register of Key Decisions relevant to the committee's areas of interest. The work programme for upcoming meetings, including those scheduled for November 2026 and beyond, was also to be presented for agreement.