The Greater Manchester Police, Fire and Crime Panel met on Wednesday 16 September 2026. The meeting covered a wide range of topics, including the financial health of GMP and GMFRS, progress on the Police and Crime Plan, and updates on the Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommendations and the Greater Manchester Local Remediation Acceleration Plan.

A key financial concern raised was GMP's forecast of a £9.8 million overspend for the 2026/27 financial year, attributed to increased operational demand and insufficient national funding. The Panel resolved to note the financial position at quarter one and to support the Deputy Mayor's lobbying efforts.

Progress on the Police and Crime Plan showed improvements in public trust and confidence in policing, with GMP attending emergencies faster and solving more crimes. Neighbourhood crime had reduced, and initiatives like 'Bee in the Loop' and the Neighbourhood Policing Strategy were highlighted. However, challenges remained in workforce diversity and victim satisfaction.

Updates on the Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommendations indicated sustained progress, with most recommendations on track for completion. The Greater Manchester Local Remediation Acceleration Plan was also progressing, with a focus on resident engagement and risk-based prioritisation of buildings requiring remediation.

The Panel also noted GMFRS's Productivity and Efficiency Plan for 2026-27, which aims to deliver savings and improve productivity through various measures, including digital transformation and estate modernisation. The GMFRS Annual Delivery Report 2025-26 and Annual Delivery Plan 2026-27 were presented, highlighting achievements in prevention, response, people and culture, and excellence and value. The Panel resolved to note the contents, performance, and achievements set out in the Annual Delivery Report 2025-26 and endorse the publication of GMFRS's Annual Delivery Report 2025-26 and Annual Delivery Plan 2026-27.

Decisions made by the Deputy Mayor between March and August 2026 were noted, covering a range of contract awards and funding allocations for initiatives related to victim support, youth violence prevention, domestic abuse perpetrator interventions, and community safety projects. The Panel also noted the Joint Forward Plan outlining future reports and areas of focus.

Appointments to the Panel

The panel noted that Oldham Council was still unable to appoint a representative due to not having elected a controlling party. Following legal advice and discussions with the Home Office, four additional co-opted members were appointed to ensure political balance: Councillor Thirza Amina Asanga-Rae (Manchester City Council), Councillor Brian Battle (Stockport Council), Councillor Charlotte Cadden (Bolton Council), and Councillor John Taylor (Rochdale Council). The seats for Oldham Council and one further political balance seat remain vacant pending resolution of the Oldham situation.

Declarations of Interest

Deputy Mayor Kate Green declared three interests related to the 'Deputy Mayor Decision Notice' at the end of the agenda pack. These were in relation to funding for the Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) Magistrates in the Community programme, authorisation for the payment of Independent Custody Visiting Association (ICVA) membership fees, and a VRU evaluation contract with Manchester Metropolitan University. In each case, the Deputy Mayor stated she had taken no part in the decision-making process.

Chair's Announcements and Urgent Business

An update was provided on the Heaton Park synagogue attack, with the Deputy Mayor reporting that the Chief Constable had issued a public apology on 23 July regarding the non-review of data on the offender's mobile phone, describing it as a missed opportunity. As the matter is under investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), no further public comment could be made at this stage, but the Panel would be updated following the IOPC's conclusion.

The Panel was reminded of the statutory requirement for the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) to issue a Police and Crime Plan within 12 months of election. Given the recent mayoral by-election and the next scheduled election in approximately 20 months, the Mayor had agreed that the current plan, published in December 2024, remains fit for purpose and aligned with her manifesto commitments. A new foreword will be added to explain this alignment, and commitments will be mapped against the existing plan. A report on this will be presented to the Panel in November or early in the new year.

An update was also provided on the prisoner early release scheme. The Deputy Mayor reported that 28 prisoners were expected to be released on 1 October 2026 and 74 on 13 October 2026. A public protection cell has been established with Greater Manchester Probation Service, GMP, and other partners to manage these releases, communicate with victims, and provide information on support. Members were advised that these early release arrangements would become standard practice under the Sentencing Act, increasing the importance of ongoing public protection measures.

Minutes of the Meeting of 12th August 2026

The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed as a true and correct record. It was noted that following the Panel's report to the Mayor, Kate Green had resumed her post as Deputy Mayor of Safer and Stronger Communities.

GMP & GMFRS Finance Update

The Panel considered the quarter-one monitoring position for 2026/27 for Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service (GMFRS), the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), and Greater Manchester Police (GMP). The combined forecast indicated a £9.8 million adverse variance, primarily attributable to GMP. GMFRS and the PCC were forecasting balanced positions after reserve movements.

Members were informed that GMP had received the second-lowest percentage increase in core grant nationally and was facing significant demand pressures, including costs associated with Number 10 North, protection for the Jewish community, and the operational demands of a growing city region. An expected £22 million grant for additional protection activity had not yet been received, despite related costs already being incurred.

For GMFRS, pension contribution underspends were largely offset by sick pay and other pay pressures, resulting in an overall pay underspend of approximately £0.2 million. Pre-arranged overtime was forecast in line with the budget. Unbudgeted costs of approximately £0.32 million had arisen from the summer moorland fires, with recovery opportunities being pursued. New fire stations at Whitefield and Stockport Central were completed, while expenditure on appliances and breathing apparatus was expected to move into the next financial year. Any residual revenue funding would be directed towards capital projects to reduce borrowing requirements.

Further GMP pressures related to pay, ill-health retirement, and overtime were detailed. Seven areas of mitigation were identified in the report, and further savings would continue to be sought. GMP is managing police staff numbers towards 3,450 while maintaining required officer numbers, resulting in a ratio of more than two officers for every staff member. Members were assured that monthly financial scrutiny and established governance arrangements were in place. The forecast was based on the first four months of the year, allowing time to improve the position, although operational demand was outpacing available funding.

During the discussion on GMP's financial position, members raised concerns about the potential conditions attached to exceptional financial support bids. The Deputy Mayor described the mechanism as unsatisfactory, noting it assumed poor financial management and could involve external oversight and expectations regarding the police precept. It was maintained that the core issue was an outdated funding formula disadvantaging metropolitan forces. The Mayor was prepared to consider the standard maximum precept increase, indicated as £14 for the following year, but not a higher increase. No application had yet been submitted, with the position reserved while lobbying continued, and a decision required by the end of September, ultimately resting with the Mayor in conjunction with the Chief Constable.

Members supported stronger lobbying of government and asked for a comparison of pension contribution rates. It was confirmed that the policing employer contribution was 35.3%, compared to 38% for fire. The Panel agreed collectively to support the Deputy Mayor's lobbying efforts.

Members sought assurance that the overspend would not increase, requesting details of mitigations and contingency plans if exceptional support were unavailable. The Deputy Mayor explained that line-by-line control, staffing scrutiny, and overtime management were continuing, but warned that further reductions could affect custody, call answering, and other service standards. Officer numbers would be protected, with savings and income opportunities pursued. It was stressed that police staff were essential to operational outcomes and that reductions would be assessed for impact.

The Panel resolved to note the financial position at quarter 1 and to support the Deputy Mayor's lobbying efforts.

Year 2 Police & Crime Plan Progress Report – P1: Improving Public Trust and Confidence in Policing

The Panel received an update on Priority 1 of the Greater Manchester (GM) Police and Crime Plan. Public trust and confidence in policing were reported to be improving, supported by stronger crime outcomes and improved call answering and response times. Recruitment and retention strategies focused on operational learning, with approximately 70% of training time spent in operational settings. Challenges remained in workforce diversity, particularly concerning recruitment and confidence among Caribbean communities, with ongoing work through the Greater Manchester Race Equality Panel and GMP's equality specialists. Occupational health and mandatory therapeutic support were highlighted as crucial for officers and staff in stressful roles.

Misconduct processes were being reviewed, including challenges in recruiting independent panel members and the need to support affected officers and staff. Independent custody visiting had achieved gold accreditation, and the Independent Ethics Committee continued to examine issues including live facial recognition, foreign national offenders, policing of protests, and the future use of artificial intelligence.

In response to member queries, the Deputy Mayor detailed the independent custody and arrest scrutiny panel's work and acknowledged the need for further improvement in the diversity and quality of scrutiny arrangements. It was confirmed that GMP would prioritise operational response first and address funding afterwards. Members highlighted the importance of neighbourhood policing, strengthening links with Neighbourhood Watch, and more effectively publicising improvements to 101 and online reporting services to build public trust.

The Panel resolved to note the priority 1 highlight report progress update.

Year 2 Police & Crime Plan Progress Report – P2: Increasing Police Accessibility, Consistency, Responsiveness and Outcomes

Deputy Mayor Kate Green presented an update on Priority 2 of the GM Police and Crime Plan. GMP remained among the strongest forces nationally for answering emergency calls, with strong response times. The 'Bee in the Loop' initiative had reached over 45,000 subscribers, promoted through various engagement channels. Emergency response performance remained strong, with approximately 96% of Grade 1 incidents attended within 15 minutes. The all-crime solved volume had increased by 15% over the previous 12 months, with higher solved and charged rates across various crime types.

The refreshed Neighbourhood Policing Strategy 2026–2028 established clearer minimum standards across all districts. Neighbourhood crime had reduced by 13% across Greater Manchester, with significant reductions in burglary offences. Improved Crown Court throughput was noted, with disposal rates exceeding 100%. The TravelSafe LiveChat service had recorded over 1,300 contacts since its launch.

Members welcomed the reported improvement in police response times and sought assurance on consistency across all ten boroughs, including during periods of higher demand. Officers confirmed consistent performance and daily monitoring. The Panel discussed delays within the criminal justice system and ongoing court backlogs, with the Local Criminal Justice Board working on initiatives to reduce delays, focusing on prevention and diversion for repeat offenders. The early release of prisoners and sentencing legislation changes were noted as creating additional supervision demands.

Concerns were raised about turnover within neighbourhood policing teams and its impact on continuity and public confidence. Officers advised that teams were protected as far as possible, but specific examples of high turnover would be investigated. GMP was also considering reintroducing a tenure model for neighbourhood roles. The challenges of recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and independent scrutiny membership were discussed, with neighbourhood policing and positive action highlighted as potential solutions. A Greater Manchester approach to race equality was being developed.

Members noted that performance improvements were not always reflected in public perception, and GMP needed to communicate positive outcomes more effectively, while continuing to address lower-level antisocial behaviour. The importance of PACT meetings in supporting community engagement and public confidence was highlighted.

The Panel resolved to note the priority 2 highlight report progress update.

Year 2 Police & Crime Plan Progress Report – P5: Reducing and Preventing Neighbourhood Crime, Retail Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour

The Panel received an update on Priority 5 of the GM Police and Crime Plan. Community antisocial behaviour had increased during the summer, with individual disputes also rising. GMP's antisocial behaviour framework had been developed with partners, alongside work to strengthen the partnership response. Hotspot policing and Operation Vulcan were being deployed in persistent problem areas, with plans to extend this across all ten districts. Work continued on safety in the night-time economy and across the transport network.

Increased recorded retail crime was partly attributed to improved retailer confidence in reporting. GMP had clarified service standards and enabled retailers to upload CCTV evidence directly. Retail offending was linked to poverty, substance misuse, and organised criminality. GMP reported strong detection outcomes and emphasised addressing underlying causes of repeat offending.

Members discussed the policing of demonstrations and the need to protect vulnerable individuals. GMP's approach focused on lawful protest, public safety, and managing behaviour proportionately. Concerns were raised about the displacement of drug-related antisocial behaviour from Piccadilly Gardens into surrounding communities, with officers acknowledging the risk and advising that intelligence should be reported. A sustainable response would require coordinated work with community safety partnerships and local authorities.

The impact of Operation Vulcan was welcomed, and members sought assurance on how improvements would be sustained. Officers acknowledged that benefits could diminish and that continuing partnership activity, early reporting, and environmental improvements would be necessary. Greater focus on off-road and e-bikes was requested, with Operation Hurricane to continue and drone technology and future precept priorities to be considered. GMFRS work on safe charging and fire risks associated with e-bikes was highlighted.

Members also requested further information on the outcomes and effectiveness of GMP's live chat service for women, girls, and vulnerable victims, agreeing that a fuller analysis would be brought back in a future report.

The Panel resolved to note the Priority 5 highlight report progress update.

Police & Crime Plan – Performance Dashboard Highlight Report

Deputy Mayor Kate Green introduced a report providing analysis of the June 2026 Performance Update data for all ten Police and Crime Plan Priorities. Trust in GMP had increased, as had confidence in GMP doing a good job. Grade 1 and Grade 2 attendance performance had improved, and the solved rate had increased.

However, victim satisfaction had reduced slightly, as had the proportion of victims offered a referral to victim services. Referrals to the commissioned victim service had also decreased slightly. Members stressed the need to maintain focus on the quality and consistency of victim contact, timely referrals, support for vulnerable victims, and outcomes in high-harm offences.

The Panel resolved to note the performance update report.

Grenfell Tower Inquiry Recommendations – Update Report

DCFO Carlos Meakin provided an update on GMFRS's progress in implementing recommendations from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 report and completing Phase 1 assurance. Robust internal governance and assurance arrangements were in place. Eleven Phase 1 recommendations had completed assurance, eight were awaiting strategic approval, and ten remained in progress. Seven of the eleven Phase 2 recommendations had been discharged, with four in progress. It was anticipated that three of the remaining recommendations would be completed by the end of the calendar year, with work relating to North West Fire Control expected to take longer due to its complexity.

Members sought clarification on the use of stay put/stay safe guidance in high-rise buildings. Officers advised that evacuation arrangements were specific to each building and depended on its condition and safety systems. Training and operational procedures had also evolved, with commanders able to prioritise evacuation and saving life over firefighting activity if a building's behaviour in fire warranted it.

The Panel resolved to note the contents of the report.

GM Local Remediation Action Plan – Progress Report

DCFO Carlos Meakin presented a report on the development and delivery of the Greater Manchester Local Remediation Acceleration Plan (GM LRAP). Members heard that 251 buildings required remediation and 236 residential buildings remained subject to interim safety measures. There were 177 applications progressing through the government's cladding safety funding scheme, of which 103 had been assessed as eligible, with 42% considered high risk to life. While 152 buildings had been remediated, significant work remained. The expansion of the programme to buildings over 11 metres meant affected buildings were located across all ten districts.

A dedicated Remediation Delivery Team had been established, including a Remediation Lead, specialist inspectors, and a communications and engagement manager. Recruitment was underway for two Resident Engagement Officers to work directly with residents and responsible persons. A GMFRS remediation tracker was being developed to improve oversight and reporting.

Members asked about powers available when responsible parties failed to make progress. Officers explained that GMFRS could use powers under fire safety legislation, including enforcement action, restrictions on building use, and prosecution. The national Remediation Enforcement Unit could also support complex cases. The preferred approach was to guide and support compliance, while retaining enforcement powers.

The Panel resolved to note the progress made in establishing and delivering the GM LRAP, the appointment of a dedicated Remediation Lead, the continued emphasis on a 'Residents First' approach, and to support the continued development of a risk-based, partnership-led approach to remediation oversight.

GMFRS Productivity & Efficiency Plan 2026-27

Sarah Scoales presented the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) Productivity and Efficiency Plan 2026/27. Members were advised that GMFRS set an annual savings target equivalent to 2% of non-staffing budgets, and in 2025/26, the Service exceeded this target by achieving savings of approximately 9%. The 2026/27 target was £486,000 and was expected to be met. Efficiencies had been secured through energy and estates strategies, solar installations, decarbonisation funding, reduced employer pension contributions, scrutiny of pre-arranged overtime, and capital financing controls. HMICFRS had recognised the Service's consistent delivery of planned savings.

Productivity activity focused on the operational workforce, prevention and protection, and digital collaboration and systems. Work continued to strengthen resilience, improve digital infrastructure, and respond to increasing complexity arising from building safety legislation. It was emphasised that productivity should be assessed by how effectively resources were directed to improve regulatory effectiveness and public safety, rather than solely by activity volumes.

The Panel resolved to note the contents of the report and endorse the publication of GMFRS's Productivity & Efficiency Plan 2026-27.

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

Sarah Scoales presented the GMFRS Annual Delivery Report 2025-26 and Annual Delivery Plan 2026-27. Members noted the significant improvement reflected in the latest HMICFRS inspection, including two outstanding judgements. An improvement and assurance plan was being implemented, with identified areas for improvement expected to be discharged by the end of the financial year.

The Panel resolved to note the contents, performance, and achievements set out in the Annual Delivery Report 2025-26 and endorse the publication of GMFRS's Annual Delivery Report 2025-26 and Annual Delivery Plan 2026-27.

Date of Next Meeting

The next meeting of the Panel was scheduled for Monday 16 November 2026.

For Information: Deputy Mayor Police and Crime Decisions

The Panel noted the Deputy Mayor's Police and Crime Decisions made between March and August 2026. These included various contract awards and funding allocations for initiatives related to victim support, youth violence prevention, domestic abuse perpetrator interventions, and community safety projects.

For Information: Joint Forward Plan

The Panel noted the Joint Forward Plan of reports for the Police, Fire and Crime Panel, Steering Group, and Leads for the 2026-27 municipal year. This plan outlines the schedule of reports and areas of focus for future meetings.