The Council meeting on Wednesday, 23 September 2026, saw councillors debate and vote on several significant motions. These included concerns over the use of Palantir technology in the NHS, the development of an emergency response plan for air quality and extreme heat, and the rejection of policies attributed to Reform UK. The Council also passed motions regarding the centenary of women's suffrage and the protection of children's services. An amendment to a motion concerning Palestine was defeated, but the original motion was carried.

Celebrating the 2028 Centenary of Women Securing the Vote on Equal Terms with Men

The Council resolved to support a petition calling for a £10 million fund to celebrate the 2028 centenary of women fully achieving the vote. The motion, proposed by Councillor Andrew Simcock and seconded by Councillor Angeliki Stogia, also committed the Council to publicising the petition through existing channels and asking trade unions, the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), universities, and hospitals to lend their support. Furthermore, Manchester's MPs were asked to support the petition and inquire about its progress. The motion highlighted that the Representation of the People (Equal Franchise) Act 1928 granted women electoral equality with men, and that Manchester played a significant role in the suffrage movement. The petition aims to commemorate overlooked Mancunian women, such as anti-racism campaigner Louise da-Cacodia, former City Councillor Ellen Wilkinson, and Emily Williamson, founder of what is now the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.

No to Palantir in our NHS

In a significant decision, the Council resolved to call on NHS England and the Government to exercise the February 2027 break clause in the contract with Palantir Technologies for the NHS Federated Data Platform (FDP) and to publish a fully costed, clinically safe plan to transition to an NHS-owned solution or a transparent UK-owned and UK-based alternative. The motion, proposed by Councillor Asma Alam and seconded by Councillor Sufyaan Jasat, also urged NHS Greater Manchester to maintain its deferral of FDP adoption at the Integrated Care Board (ICB) level and continue investing in its locally developed Analytics and Data Science Platform (ADSP). Greater Manchester NHS trusts were urged to pause further adoption or expansion of FDP products pending assessments of clinical safety, data protection, value for money, and exit arrangements. The Health Scrutiny Committee, in conjunction with the Resources and Governance Scrutiny Committee, was requested to investigate whether any Council-controlled information is shared with the FDP or other Palantir-provided systems. The Chief Executive was asked to seek publication of the Greater Manchester Information Board's conclusions on the FDP, and the Executive Member for Healthy Manchester and Adult Social Care was tasked with making representations to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care. Concerns were raised about Palantir's work with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Israeli military, as well as the FDP's cost, transparency, and risk of supplier dependence.

Manchester: Unclean Air Emergency Response

The Council resolved to request that the Executive reviews current arrangements and considers commissioning the development of an Air Quality and Extreme Heat Emergency Response Plan, with the aim of having a plan in place in the fastest reasonable time. The plan would be structured around tiered alert levels aligned with national systems such as the Daily Air Quality Index (DAQI), the UKHSA Weather-Health Alerting system, and the National Severe Weather Warning Service (NSWWS). The motion, proposed by Councillor Ross Steven and seconded by Councillor Ati Zafar, also recommended that the Executive considers options for health services, education, outdoor workers, home working, and fire prevention during air quality emergencies. The Leader of the Council is to work with the GM Mayor and write to relevant Government ministers calling for local authorities to be given powers to restrict the sale of disposable barbecues, fireworks, and other flame-dependent single-use products during periods of high wildfire risk. The Executive will also review the adequacy of the city's air quality monitoring network. The motion was amended to reflect lessons learned from recent wildfires and to align any new Manchester arrangements with existing Greater Manchester emergency planning.

Rejecting the divisive policies of Reform UK

The Council passed a motion proposed by Councillor Tim Whiston and seconded by Councillor John Flanagan, condemning and rejecting attempts by Reform UK-led councils to restrict Pride celebrations, inclusion initiatives, and equality symbols. The motion reaffirmed the Council's commitment to creating inclusive and welcoming communities, celebrating diversity, and promoting equality. It also pledged to maintain support for local sustainability and net-zero targets, ensure Equality Impact Assessments are embedded throughout Council policy, and strengthen mandatory training on EDI, anti-racism, and other key principles for staff and elected members. The Council will also write to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government urging national policy safeguards to ensure local authorities remain committed to statutory equality duties and responsible long-term governance.

Palestine: Recognition, Action and Standing for Peace

The Council resolved to welcome the UK's recognition of the State of Palestine and support continued diplomatic efforts towards a viable, sovereign and independent Palestinian state that is safe and secure, alongside Israel, with both Palestinians and Israelis able to live in freedom, dignity and security. The motion, proposed by Councillor Shazia Butt and seconded by Councillor Shahbaz Sarwar, also welcomed the Government's decision to ban trade from illegal Israeli settlements and sanction those facilitating settlement expansion. It called for continued humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza and reaffirmed the Council's opposition to antisemitism, Islamophobia, anti-Palestinian racism, and all forms of hate. The Council encouraged continued dialogue with Manchester's Jewish, Muslim, Palestinian, and wider communities to promote understanding and cohesion. An amendment to the motion, which sought to call for an immediate suspension of arms export licences to Israel and a review of terrorism legislation against peaceful protestors, was defeated.

Protect Children's Services from waste, fraud and abuse

Following an amendment proposed by Councillor Julie Reid and seconded by Councillor Tracey Rawlins, the Council resolved to continue to operate a robust, fair and legally compliant age-assessment process, in accordance with Government guidance, Association of Directors of Children's Services guidance and established case law that helps identify any adults. The Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee will introduce regular updates on unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASCs) processed, those found to be adults, and age breakdowns. The resolution emphasised that safeguarding and the best interests of the child remain paramount, particularly for vulnerable children arriving alone. The Council will continue to share learning on age assessments and ensure resources for vulnerable children are protected. The Executive Member responsible for UASC will keep reporting arrangements under review, and the Council will uphold its statutory and moral responsibilities to all children, embedding the principles of a UNICEF Child Friendly City.

Capital Programme Monitoring (P4) 2026/27

The Council approved the following schemes: Neighbourhoods Mauldeth House Development - a capital budget increase of £2.25m in 2026/27, funded by borrowing on an invest to save basis to enable the design of temporary accommodation in South Manchester; Homelessness Accommodation - Slade Lane - a capital budget increase of £2.75m in 2026/27 funded by borrowing on an invest to save basis to deliver 20 bedspaces in a larger shared house provision for a mix of female homeless clients; Homelessness Accommodation - The Works - a capital budget increase of £2.1m in 2026/27 funded by borrowing on an invest to save basis, for the refurbishment and repurposing of the site into homelessness temporary accommodation; and Off Street Parking – Further Works - a capital budget increase of £3.75m in 2026/27 and £3.75m in 2027/28 funded by borrowing on an invest to save basis utilising the income from the car park to undertake structural repairs works to the Arndale Car Park to ensure compliance with repairing obligations of the terms of the lease.

Constitution of the Council

The Council adopted, subject to recommendation 2, the appended revised Sections of the Constitution of the Council. These changes will take effect from 31 October 2026.

LGBCE Boundary Review for Manchester - Council Size Submission

The Council approved, subject to decision 2, the enclosed Council size submission and appendices for submission to the Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE). The Chief Executive, in consultation with the leaders of the Council's political groups, was authorised to make amendments to the submission based on outstanding responses to councillor consultation exercises.

Personnel Committee Recommendations

The Council approved the following recommendations from the Personnel Committee: re-grading the Strategic Director of Corporate Services and City Treasurer post to align to the Exec grade spot salary of £182,640; re-grading the redesignated Deputy City Treasurer post at SS4 (£115,355 - £127,134); increasing the grade for the Deputy Chief Executive Portfolio to the Exec Grade spot point of £182,640; re-evaluating the Head of Leisure, Events and Contracts post to SS3 (£95,022 - £105,048); establishing an Assistant Director Public Health/Public Health Consultant role to lead the Health Determinants Research Collaboration programme graded at SS3 (£95,022 - £105,048) on a fixed-term basis until 2029; and establishing an additional special responsibility payment of £6,276 for the Deputy Director of Public Health, bringing their total remuneration to £111,324.

Changes to Council Committees and Outside Bodies

The Council approved the following changes to committee memberships and appointments to outside bodies: Councillor Garry Bridges and Councillor Tracey Rawlins were appointed to the GM Combined Authority and Integrated Care Partnership; Councillor Robinson was appointed to the Police & Crime Steering Group and Police, Crime & Fire Panel; Councillor Shilton-Godwin was added to the GM Clean Air Charging Committee and GM Green City Region Board, replacing Councillor Rawlins; and Councillor Austin-Behan was added to the Licensing Committee and Licensing and Appeals Committee, replacing Councillor Asif Iqbal Ranjha.

Questions to Executive Members

Councillor Basat Sheikh responded to questions regarding the designation of Roman Gardens, Castlefield as a park, inspections of council street trees, and progress on expanding CCTV in fly-tipping hotspots. Councillor Shazia Butt responded to a question about Chorlton Library's usage statistics since its reopening.

Scrutiny Committees and Proceedings of Committees

The minutes of various Scrutiny Committees, including Neighbourhoods, Environment and Climate Change; Economy; Communities and Equalities; Children & Young People; Health; and Resources & Governance, were received. The Council also noted the minutes of the Audit Committee, Planning Committee, Licensing and Appeals Committee, and Personnel Committee. An amendment was made to the minutes of the Licensing and Appeals Committee regarding a request for exemption from the Council's Private Hire Vehicle (PHV) Policy, with the Committee agreeing to undertake a review of the policy.

Planning Committee Decisions

The minutes of the Planning Committee meetings held on 6 and 27 August 2026 were received. The specific decisions made by the Planning Committee regarding the change of use of Westwood Nursing Home and an application for a place of worship at 69 Crumpsall Lane were not detailed in the provided evidence.