The Greater Manchester Police, Fire and Crime Panel is scheduled to convene on Wednesday, 16 September 2026. The meeting's agenda includes a comprehensive update on the financial positions of Greater Manchester Police (GMP), Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS), and the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), alongside a progress report on the Greater Manchester Local Remediation Action Plan.

GMP & GMFRS Finance Update

The panel is expected to receive an update on the financial standing of GMP, GMFRS, and the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for the 2026/27 financial year. The report, presented by Jerome Francis, Head of Finance – Management Accounts, will detail the forecast positions for each entity.

GMFRS is currently forecasting a balanced position after accounting for transfers to reserves for capital projects. GMP is projecting an overspend of £9.8 million for the 2026/27 financial year. The PCC is forecasting a breakeven position after utilising reserves. The report will also detail the capital expenditure forecasts for GMFRS, highlighting significant variances in Estates, Transport, and Equipment budgets.

Greater Manchester Local Remediation Action Plan - Progress Report

Deputy Chief Fire Officer Carlos Meakin is scheduled to present an update on the Greater Manchester Local Remediation Acceleration Plan (GM LRAP). This report will detail the progress made in accelerating the remediation of residential buildings affected by significant fire safety defects. Key updates are expected on the establishment of a dedicated Remediation Delivery Team, the appointment of a Remediation Lead, and the recruitment of specialist inspection capacity. The report will also highlight the continued emphasis on a Residents First approach, including plans for a Greater Manchester-wide residents survey. The panel will be asked to note the progress made, the strengthened programme arrangements, and the continued emphasis on resident engagement and partnership working.

GMFRS Productivity & Efficiency Plan 2026-27

Sarah Scoales, Assistant Director of Corporate Strategy, Governance & Performance for GMFRS, is scheduled to present the GMFRS Productivity and Efficiency Plan 2026/27. This plan outlines how GMFRS intends to continue improving productivity, deliver efficiency savings, and ensure value for money. The report details the Service's financial position, including budget pressures and savings targets, and highlights productivity improvements across operational, prevention, protection, digital, and collaborative areas. The plan also addresses the Fire Cover Review as a key programme for delivering efficiencies while maintaining operational effectiveness.

GMFRS Annual Delivery Report 2025-26 & Annual Delivery Plan 2026-27

Sarah Scoales is also scheduled to present the GMFRS Annual Delivery Report 2025-26 and the Annual Delivery Plan 2026-27. These documents provide an account of the Service's performance and achievements during the first year of the Fire Plan 2025-29, and outline priorities and delivery commitments for the upcoming year. The Annual Delivery Report highlights significant achievements across the four pillars of the Fire Plan: Prevent and Protect, Respond, People and Culture, and Excellence and Value. The Annual Delivery Plan details planned activity for the second year, focusing on accelerating delivery and embedding improvements, informed by risk assessments and national inspection findings.

Police & Crime Plan Performance Update

The panel is expected to receive a performance update on the Greater Manchester Police and Crime Plan priorities, as reported by Deputy Mayor Kate Green. This report will provide analysis and commentary on the most recent performance data for each of the ten priorities. Key points include:

• Priority One (Improving Public Trust and Confidence): Survey respondents show a gradual incline in trust and confidence in GMP.
• Priority Two (Increasing Police Accessibility, Consistency, Responsiveness & Outcomes): Improvements in response times for Grade 1 and Grade 2 calls are noted, though average answer times for non-emergency calls have increased.
• Priority Three (Keeping Children and Young People Safe): Child arrest rates are lower than the previous year, and out-of-court resolutions have seen a drop.
• Priority Four (Improving Support for Victims): Victim satisfaction has slightly decreased, and the proportion of victims offered victim services has also seen a slight reduction. Hate crimes have significantly increased.
• Priority Five (Reducing Neighbourhood, Retail Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour): Neighbourhood crime continues its downward trend, while retail crime has increased.
• Priority Six (Improving Road and Transport Safety): Road fatalities and transport incidents involving injury have decreased, but crime and anti-social behaviour incident rates on the bus/tram network have increased.
• Priority Seven (Reducing High Harm and Repeat Offending): Proven reoffending rates for females have increased, while for males, they have decreased.
• Priority Eight (Tackling Drug, Alcohol and Wider Addictions): Deaths due to drug misuse and alcohol-related deaths are on the decline.
• Priority Nine (Reducing Gender-Based Violence and Serious Violence): Police-recorded knife crime and homicide rates have fallen. Recorded domestic abuse and stalking crimes have decreased, while rape crimes remained stable.
• Priority Ten (Reducing and Tackling Serious and Organised Crime): There has been a significant drop in firearms discharges and disruptions, but a substantial increase in kilograms of drugs seized. The total value of assets recovered by GMP has dropped.

Grenfell Tower Inquiry Recommendations and Local Remediation Acceleration Action Plan - Update Report

Deputy Chief Fire Officer Carlos Meakin is scheduled to provide an update on the implementation of recommendations from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 report and the completion of Phase 1 assurance. The report indicates that GMFRS is making sustained progress in implementing these recommendations, with delivery largely established and moving into embedded practice. Areas still in progress are noted as more complex and system-dependent, including Fire Control and information management. The panel will be asked to note the progress and the strengthened governance and assurance arrangements.

For Information: Deputy Mayor Police and Crime Decisions (March 2026 - August 2026)

The panel will receive a report highlighting decisions made by the Deputy Mayor for Safer and Stronger Communities during the period of March to August 2026. This report is intended to inform the panel of significant public interest decisions and provide information as required for the panel to carry out its scrutiny functions. The report lists numerous decisions, primarily concerning contract awards and funding allocations for various services related to policing, crime reduction, victim support, and community safety initiatives across Greater Manchester. These include allocations for employee assistance programmes, auction house services, interpreting and translation services, content creation for reports, venue hire for events, mentoring programmes, film production, training sessions, grant funding to local authorities and various organisations, rehabilitation services, and IT systems.

For Information: Joint Forward Plan

The Joint Forward Plan for the Police, Fire and Crime Panel, Steering Group, and Leads for the 2026-27 municipal year will be presented. This plan outlines the schedule of reports and areas of focus for the panel and associated groups. It is subject to additions throughout the year to address emerging issues and is reviewed annually. The plan has been refreshed to incorporate items deferred from previous meetings and has been approved by the Panel Chair and Lead Chief Executive.

The meeting is scheduled to take place at the Mechanics Institute, 103 Princess St, Manchester, M1 6DD, commencing at 2:00 PM.