The Communities and Equalities Scrutiny Committee met on Wednesday, 7 October 2026, to discuss the vital advice services available to Manchester residents, the progress of the Manchester Volunteer and Inspire Programme (MCRVIP), and an update on community events across the city. The committee noted the comprehensive advice services available, reviewed the development of the MCRVIP volunteering platform, and discussed the facilitation and funding of community events, including plans for fireworks celebrations.

Advice Services Update

The committee received an update on the Manchester advice sector, focusing on the City-Wide Advice Service (CWAS) contract, Early and Extra Help and Support (EEHS) services, and other non-commissioned support. Representatives from CWAS and EEHS organisations highlighted the breadth of services offered, including advice on welfare benefits, debt, and housing, delivered through various channels such as face-to-face, telephone, and online. They noted that residents often present with multiple complex issues.

Key discussion points included the importance of the advice work undertaken by Registered Providers of social housing, how digital exclusion is being addressed, and whether there is sufficient capacity to meet the demand for advice services in Manchester. The committee also discussed how residents can be referred to EEHS services and the need to ensure awareness of available services in specific areas like Woodhouse Park. The engagement of students with advice services was also raised.

Hayley Hughes from Citizens Advice Manchester (CAM) explained that data analysis helps identify gaps in provision and informs service deployment. She acknowledged digital exclusion and highlighted the Advice Van as a valuable tool for community engagement. CAM has also established a network of Advice First Aiders to identify needs early and facilitate access to specialist services. Targeted work with students at Manchester College and local universities was also mentioned. Sinead O'Connor from Cheetham Hill Advice Centre confirmed their monitoring of outcomes, such as debt reduction and income maximisation, and assured that face-to-face meetings are always provided. John Ryan from Shelter detailed their collaboration with CAM to develop a Community Link Worker service in schools, offering support on welfare benefits, money, and housing. Amanda Croome from Caritas shared an example of how initial support for immediate needs, like food bank access, can lead to engagement on underlying issues.

Councillor Good declared a prejudicial interest as he was employed by an organisation operating within the Citywide Advice Contract and withdrew from the meeting during this item. The committee noted the report.

Manchester Volunteer and Inspire Programme (MCRVIP)

The committee reviewed the progress and future development plans for the Manchester Volunteer and Inspire Programme (MCRVIP), the council's platform for residents to engage in volunteering. MCRVIP aims to reflect the city's diversity and foster a sense of belonging, connection, and thriving among residents. Volunteers can participate in various roles across the city, adding value to neighbourhood-level service delivery.

Nuala Trace, Community Learning Curriculum Manager at Manchester Adult Education Service, and May Bedier, a volunteer, shared positive experiences with MCRVIP. Discussions highlighted the significant number of registered volunteers (over 9,300) but also noted a disparity between registered and active volunteers, with around 900 having logged hours or signed up for sessions in the past 12 months. The need for providers of volunteering opportunities to also register was emphasised. The uptake rate of council staff volunteering days and safeguarding considerations were also discussed.

The Community Development & Participation Lead explained that active volunteers are those who have logged hours or signed up for a session. She acknowledged the need to increase volunteering opportunities and mentioned planned equality impact assessments to understand motivations and barriers. The intention is to build on community strengths and develop opportunities in partnership with local people. The Head of Neighbourhoods noted that volunteering opportunities need to fit around people's lives. May Bedier suggested that the disparity between registered and active volunteers might be due to volunteers not always recording their hours.

The Community Development & Participation Lead referenced the successful experience of the Manchester Adult Education Service with MCRVIP, which will inform future expansion plans, potentially including Family Hubs and Youth and Play provision. Safeguarding was stressed as paramount, with assurances that it is robustly embedded in the MCRVIP programme. The Director of Communities stated that the uptake of the three days' volunteering leave offered to council staff is relatively low, despite regular promotion, and that efforts are ongoing to increase this. The committee noted the report and expressed appreciation for the work of volunteers across the city.

Community Events Update

An overview of community events across Manchester, their facilitation, and funding at both neighbourhood and city-wide levels was presented. The report highlighted the additional investment of £0.675 million per year for community events and fireworks displays, alongside £320,000 per year through the Your Neighbourhood Fund for ward-level support.

Key discussion points included welcoming and supporting the investment in community events, noting the positive work on women and girls' safety in parks, and recognising the importance of events for community cohesion. The approach to safeguarding for the planned fireworks events was questioned, as was the support available for smaller events, particularly regarding compliance with legislation like Martyn's Law. Concerns about the sustainability of smaller community events due to financial uncertainty were also raised. The committee requested that future reports include information on how revenue from large-scale events supports smaller ones.

The Parks Strategy Manager confirmed that the fireworks events are designed to comply with all relevant legislation and guidance for public safety, involving multiple agencies and expert advice. The Strategic Lead for Neighbourhoods (North) acknowledged the need for additional support for smaller events and mentioned the development of a toolkit. Otilla Ordog, Director and founder of Beat Bazaar, confirmed her involvement in this toolkit, which addresses safeguarding, legislation, and risk assessments. The Strategic Lead for Neighbourhoods (North) also noted a mapping exercise of smaller events across the city. Otilla Ordog discussed the benefits of bringing groups together for future sustainability and grant applications, and the potential for dialogue with the Business Growth Hub to promote smaller events to local businesses. The Deputy Executive Member for Culture, Libraries and Leisure thanked the committee for their comments, stating that previous feedback had informed the report's approach and that there is a political commitment to delivering community events. The Chair concluded by welcoming the report and celebrating Manchester's diversity through its community events.

The committee recommended that future update reports include information on how revenue from large-scale events is used to support smaller community events.

Overview Report

The committee received the report from the Governance and Scrutiny Support Unit, which included key decisions within the committee's remit, responses to previous recommendations, and the committee's work programme. A member suggested inviting specific organisations to the November meeting to discuss a report on Domestic Abuse and Violence Against Women and Girls, and the Scrutiny Support Officer agreed to forward these details for consideration. The committee noted the report and agreed the work programme.

The meeting concluded with the committee noting the reports and agreeing to the proposed work programme.