The Council met for an extraordinary session to discuss the appointment of a new Leader of the Council. The meeting also included the review of minutes from a previous meeting and considered several notices of motion, including those addressing the rise of far-right rhetoric, the divestment of pension funds from arms and fossil fuel companies, and the delivery of new social and affordable homes.

Appointment of Leader of the Council

The primary item scheduled for discussion was the appointment of the Leader of the Council.

Minutes of Previous Meeting

The Council was scheduled to review and approve the minutes from the meeting held on 15 July 2026.

Notice of Motion: A New Era for Manchester

A notice of motion, submitted by Councillor Karney and seconded by Councillor Richards, was scheduled for consideration. This motion welcomed pledges made by Andy Burnham, the Prime Minister, and the Labour Government, including commitments to build a significant number of council houses, introduce a new deal for young people, bring key industries under public control, and support high streets and the hospitality sector. The motion proposed that the Council would meet with the Prime Minister and the new Mayor of Greater Manchester to ensure Manchester is at the forefront of these initiatives, draw up implementation plans, and work with No.10 North to become an early adopter of new policies. The motion concluded by declaring that Manchester is ready to lead in this new era of devolution.

Notice of Motion: Manchester Delivers a Record Number of New Social and Affordable Homes

Councillor White submitted a notice of motion, seconded by Councillor Lynch, focusing on housing in Manchester. The motion highlighted the city's growing population and the importance of decent, secure, and affordable housing. It noted Manchester's history of council housing and the current provision of social rent homes. The motion also referenced the transformational Renters' Rights Act and Manchester's use of local lettings policies. The council was scheduled to consider statistics on the delivery of affordable homes in 2025/2026, including social rent and Manchester Living Rent properties, as well as plans for low-carbon council homes in Collyhurst and Victoria North. The motion also noted a reduction in households on the housing register and welcomed the direction set by Andy Burnham MP regarding council house building. The Council was to consider resolutions to continue working with partners to deliver more social, council, and affordable homes, collaborate with the New Mayor of Greater Manchester and the New Prime Minister for funding, accelerate the rollout of the Renters' Rights Team, and call for devolved powers for rent caps and controls in the private rented sector.

Notice of Motion: Confronting the Normalisation of Far-Right Rhetoric and Safeguarding Manchester's Equalities Framework

Councillor Abdullatif submitted a motion, seconded by Councillor Salem, concerning the rise of far-right rhetoric and its impact on Manchester. The motion noted instances of organised far-right activity and violence across the UK, including events in Belfast, Glasgow, and Southampton, as well as March for Remigration demonstrations by Britain First in Manchester. It highlighted the amplification of anti-migrant and Islamophobic rhetoric through social media, the press, and political figures, and its tangible consequences for public safety and community cohesion. The motion also referenced developments in the United States regarding the dismantling of equality protections and the potential for similar actions in the UK. The Council was to consider that a future UK government hostile to equalities legislation is a foreseeable risk and that local authorities need to ensure their own systems are resilient. The motion proposed that the Council formally condemn the rise in far-right activity, request a Scrutiny Committee report on the resilience of the Council's equalities duties, write to the new Greater Manchester Mayor and Combined Authority regarding a coordinated regional response, and ask the Manchester Community Safety Partnership to prioritise far-right radicalisation and hate crime. It also aimed to reaffirm the Council's support for the Equality and Human Rights Commission and the Human Rights Act 1998, and to consult with Council-funded VCSEs working with targeted communities on protective measures. Finally, it proposed a review of internal Council communications, HR, and safeguarding guidance to ensure staff have clear routes to report harassment.

Notice of Motion: Pension Divestment Survey

Councillor Asanga-Rae submitted a motion, seconded by Councillor Syed, expressing concern over investments by the Greater Manchester Pension Fund (GMPF) in major arms companies. The motion noted that the GMPF had not consulted its members on these investments and highlighted previous council motions and petitions calling for divestment from weapons companies and fossil fuels, which had reportedly been ignored. The motion argued that the GMPF's claims of responsible investment through engagement were insufficient. It stated that the GMPF invests significantly in companies profiting from arms sales to states and entities that breach international law and carry out human rights abuses, and that these investments may contravene the GMPF's own responsible investment policy. The motion also noted that other councils have called for pension funds to divest from the arms trade and referenced the Labour Party manifesto's commitment to aligning financial institutions with climate goals. The Council was to consider resolutions to request the GMPF to conduct a survey of council employees who are scheme members regarding these investments and to work with the GMPF to devise a plan to divest from such companies.

Proceedings of the Executive

The Council was scheduled to receive the proceedings of the Executive meetings held on 10 June and 8 July 2026. Consideration was to be given to recommendations regarding the Capital Programme Outturn for 2025/26. This included a proposed capital budget increase of £4.3m for the Neighbourhoods department to acquire Finlay's Yard for temporary accommodation for homeless families, funded by HRA Borrowing and Government Grant. Additionally, a capital budget increase of £2.064m for Highways Services was proposed for maintenance works on roads and footways, funded by borrowing.

Questions to Executive Members and Others

A session was scheduled for questions to Executive Members and others under Procedural Rule 23. Councillor White was expected to respond to a question regarding student housing affordability, Councillor Shilton-Godwin on an update regarding Alan Turing Way due to a sinkhole, and Councillor Butt on clean-up arrangements following a Manchester City Football Club parade. Councillor Sheikh was scheduled to address a question about hogweed removal, and Councillor Butt again on a heat pump and temporary boiler at Didsbury Library. Councillor White was also to answer questions regarding planning enforcement investigations and prosecutions, and plans for Phase 2 of the Central Retail Park. Councillor Shilton Godwin was to provide an update on work to develop a Whaley Range pilot, and Councillor Simcock on assistance for disabled residents with council tax support forms. Councillor Sheikh was also to respond to a question about undertaking his job at night.

Scrutiny Committees

The minutes of several Scrutiny Committee meetings were to be submitted for receipt by the Council.

Proceedings of Committees

The minutes of various committees were to be submitted, including the Licensing Committee, Licensing and Appeals Committee, Planning Committee, Personnel Committee, Health and Wellbeing Board, Audit Committee, Standards Committee, and the Constitutional and Nomination Committee. The Council was specifically asked to approve changes to current Council committees and board memberships, and appointments to outside bodies, including additions to the Employee Appeals, Children and Young People Scrutiny, and Neighbourhoods, Environment and Climate Change Scrutiny committees, as well as appointments to the Fostering Panel, Adoption Panel, and Manchester Port Health Authority. Co-opted members were also to be appointed to the Children and Young People Scrutiny committee.

Key Decisions Report

The Council was to consider a report from the City Solicitor on key decisions taken in accordance with the urgency provisions in the Council's Constitution.