The GM2030 report sets out where Greater Manchester intends to be by 2030. The paper initiates a discussion for key working groups who will be making plans for infrastructure, sustainability, business, talent and culture.

By 2030, Greater Manchester aims to become a place of innovation, reach its net zero targets and create highly skilled jobs for people to come and live in the region. Andy Burnham begins the report by stating “As we move forward, we all have a part to play in making this a greener, fairer, and more prosperous place for everyone.” 

So, which part will be assigned to housing providers and local authorities in and around Manchester? Read our insight to learn more about the key proposals impacting on housing and regeneration.

Infrastructure

Greater Manchester is the most liveable city region in Europe, with a fully integrated high-tech transport system. The report indicates that the use of technology provides an improved quality of life for the residents and attracts new visitors and businesses, leading to being the fastest growing tech hub in Europe. For example, the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement is going to invest £1.07bn into Metro link network improvements and new bus corridors.

Local authorities will be driving agreements for a world-class transport system which uses integrated ticketing across all modes of transport, continues with the development of Piccadilly Station with HS2 and Northern Power Rail, as well as interlinking with Manchester Airport.

Together with housing providers, they are part of the Greater Manchester Digital Inclusion Taskforce, launched in December 2020, to create a fully digital public services system for healthcare and community facilities, waste collection and utilities, and bringing full fibre connectivity to all houses and businesses in the region.

A collective approach to city region planning and further investment is needed to promote place management in local councils. This will enable local stakeholders to activate existing plans such as Places for Everyone and collaborate on new infrastructure plans, particularly in the less affluent areas.

Sustainability

The Greater Manchester Combined Authority aims to be carbon neutral by 2038. It will need to define a strategy for carbon capture, utilisation and storage strategy and find innovative solutions to meet the target, following the major planned infrastructure and housing works.

To create a sustainable approach to living, new building methods will have energy efficiency at their core and focus on low carbon emissions. The digital infrastructure also gives an opportunity by using fibre broadband, which is not only more efficient but will reduce the carbon output. Better connectivity will result in more home-working and less commuting.

All of this is already at the heart of many discussions that registered providers consider when developing and regenerating, but they will need to make careful decisions around their energy solutions, taking into account their short- and long-term benefits and ability to achieve net zero.

Business

By breaking through existing funding barriers, Greater Manchester aims to build a truly diverse system that works for all. Funding and support should be available to those from all backgrounds, leading to more creativity, innovation and value creation. By 2030, Greater Manchester aims to be globally recognised as creating unicorn businesses in healthcare innovation, digital and creative, clean growth and advanced manufacturing. Public and private partnerships drive value but need to be defined to enable quicker delivery of projects.

Talent

There will be a focus on more diversity in leadership at all levels, especially in key decision-making areas, educating employers on the benefit of diversity. Increasing the employment rate, but in particular improving opportunities for those from the underprivileged areas of Greater Manchester, will ensure that the region is known as a fairer place in 2030.

Encouraging talent to move across sectors will enable influence and innovation in new areas, while surrounding graduates with improved infrastructure and housing will help retain talent.

What’s next?

By setting out the various elements that Greater Manchester will need to look at and deliver, clear and measurable targets have been created. The challenge will be how all of these factors can be put into action, particularly in the face of the current economic and housing market conditions. The increasing difficulties that registered providers are facing in relation to availability and costs of materials, labour and general living will be a real test to overcome if the GM2030 targets are all to be met.

You can read the full report here.

How Capsticks can help

Capsticks aims to be the firm of choice to registered providers, offering a full service across development and planning law, corporate and securitisation, housing leasehold and asset management. Our experts can answer all your questions around stock transfers/void disposal programmes; green/sustainable financing and joint venture models that really work. 

If you have any queries around what's discussed in this article, and the impact on your sector or organisation, please speak to Jen Hankinson or Zayna Ibrahim to find out more about how Capsticks can help.