The Greater Manchester Housing First, Planning and Infrastructure Commission was scheduled to consider updates on strategic infrastructure, flood risk management, and progress on housing first initiatives and homelessness. The meeting was also scheduled to discuss national planning policy, the Greater Manchester Spatial Development Strategy, and joint minerals and waste plans.

Strategic Infrastructure Board Update

The Commission was scheduled to receive an update on the Greater Manchester Strategic Infrastructure Board's¹ activities. This included discussions on the Greater Manchester Infrastructure Plan and Integrated Pipeline, which aims to coordinate growth and infrastructure evidence, investment, and delivery. The Board was also scheduled to consider progress on collaborative street works, energy planning, and heat-network governance. Further discussions were scheduled regarding water reform, flood resilience, and climate adaptation, with a focus on aligning infrastructure delivery with the Greater Manchester Strategy Delivery Plan.

Flood Risk Management Update

A briefing was scheduled to outline the financial position of the North West Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management programme, with a specific focus on Greater Manchester's allocation of Flood Defence Grant in Aid (GiA). The report was scheduled to detail the indicative GiA allocation for 2027/28, comparing Greater Manchester's position with other North West partnerships. It was also scheduled to highlight Greater Manchester's forecast expenditure exceeding its allocation, while the wider North West programme was facing a potential underspend. The update was also scheduled to cover the Local Levy position and potential increases to contributions to support project development.

Housing First and Homelessness Updates

The Commission was scheduled to receive an update on the Housing First programme, which aims to ensure everyone has access to a good, warm, and safe home. The presentation was scheduled to cover the ambition to build new social housing, improve standards for renters, and reduce the number of people in temporary accommodation.

Additionally, an update on homelessness in Greater Manchester was scheduled. This was to cover the GMCA Homelessness Team's work across three key areas: rough sleeping, temporary accommodation, and homelessness prevention. The presentation was expected to include current trends in rough sleeping and temporary accommodation, alongside key programmes such as A Bed Every Night and the Temporary Accommodation Empty Homes Programme. The refresh of the Greater Manchester Homelessness Prevention Strategy² was also scheduled to be discussed.

Strategic Planning Update

The Commission was scheduled to receive an update on strategic planning activities, including the recently published revision to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)³. The report was scheduled to explain the new structure of the NPPF, its emphasis on supporting development and economic growth, and its implications for local plan policies.

Progress on the Greater Manchester Spatial Development Strategy (GM SDS)⁴, a high-level strategic spatial plan for the region, was also scheduled for discussion. The report was to outline the legal requirements for SDS preparation, its intended scope, and the timetable for its development.

Finally, an update on the Greater Manchester Joint Minerals and Waste Plan (GMJMWP) was scheduled. This plan, being produced by GMCA on behalf of the ten districts, aims to replace outdated existing plans and provide an up-to-date framework for minerals and waste development. The report was to detail the new plan-making system, current progress, and upcoming public consultation stages.