Communities and Equalities Scrutiny Committee - February 2023

Culture Annual Report
This report fed back the results of the Cultural Impact Survey for 2021/22, a survey unique to Manchester, which showed the continuing impact of the Covid restrictions at that time. Reduced audiences led to reduced income but this reduction in income was limited by the positive impact of the Covid Recovery Fund. 8,865 cultural productions were reported in Manchester during 2021/22 and digital continued to be an important way of delivering activities. There were less volunteers but still over 2,400 volunteers were active during 2021/22. 84% of organisations surveyed pay the Real Living Wage or higher. There was also information on audience/volunteer/participant and board member involvement by gender, disability and ethnicity. It was estimated that the social value of the reported cultural work was £4.4m from apprenticeships, volunteering and health and wellbeing cost savings. Several councillors pointed out that these results were just from the organisations surveyed and therefore the full cultural picture for the city would be much larger.

Libraries Strategy Update
The Committee received an update and a draft libraries vision. Over two million visits were made to Manchester libraries in 2022 and footfall was back to 70% of pre pandemic levels. Themes for the library service this year were digital inclusion, Our Manchester, Our People, literacy and reading, culture and creativity, and health and wellbeing.

Sport and Physical Activity Strategy 2022
There was an update on this strategy. Key achievements included delivery of a number of pilots, 8000 children engaging in swimming lessons and 84-97% usage of leisure centres compared to pre-Covid levels.

Revenue Budget Update 
In November, the Committee was presented with information showing a budget gap of £42m over three years with a deficit of £7m for 2023/24. At that point, MCC had no indication of any additional funding. The subsequent funding settlement was better than expected so some savings had been removed or deferred, and therefore there would be a balanced budget for the coming year. However, this meant that there would be an increase in council tax. There would be £119k savings over a two year period in the Neighbourhoods Directorate but areas such as the Neighbourhood Investment Fund would not be cut. Comments by several councillors reflected their frustration of 13 years of funding reductions and the lack of funding to invest in the city.

Homelessness Directorate Budget 2023/24
Homelessness was rising in Manchester and nationally. It was confirmed that there would be no service or budget reductions for 2023/24 but there was an aim of savings over the next three years through reductions in the use of temporary accommodation. The costs of this accommodation to MCC had risen recently.