Manchester City Council Item 8 Communities and Neighbourhoods Overview and Scrutiny Committee 22 June 2010

Manchester City Council Report for Resolution

Report To: Communities and Neighbourhoods Overview and Scrutiny Committee – 22 June 2010

Subject: Student Strategy Implementation Plan

Report of: Director of Neighbourhood Services

Summary

To provide a report on the progress of the Student Strategy Implementation Plan

Recommendations

That Members note the progress that has been made on the actions contained within the Implementation Plan.

Wards Affected: Primarily , , , , , and .

Community Strategy Spine Summary of the contribution to the strategy

Performance of the economy of The universities play a key role in the economy of the region and sub region the city. The plan demonstrates a partnership approach in tackling some of the issues that impact at a local level

Reaching full potential in Through the Corridor Partnership, universities will education and employment be able to maximise their contribution to the success and prosperity of the city

Individual and collective self Improved resident’s wellbeing and cohesion within esteem – mutual respect neighbourhoods by tackling significant issues such as crime and disorder.

Neighbourhoods of Choice Improved resident satisfaction, making neighbourhoods a place where people want to live and stay

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Full details are in the body of the report, along with any implications for:

• Equal Opportunities Policy • Risk Management • Legal Considerations

Financial Consequences – Revenue None

Financial Consequences – Capital None

Contact Officers:

Name: Vicky Rosin Position: Director, Neighbourhood Services Telephone: 0161 234 3718 E-mail: [email protected]

Name: Ingrid Daly Position: Business Support Manager Telephone: 0161 234 4228 E-mail: [email protected]

Name; Andy Wilson Position: Regeneration Manager Telephone: 0161 277 1880 E-mail: [email protected]

Name: Peter Babb Position: Head of Planning Telephone: 0161 234 4501 E-mail: [email protected]

Background documents (available for public inspection):

The following documents disclose important facts on which the report is based and have been relied upon in preparing the report. Copies of the background documents are available up to 4 years after the date of the meeting. If you would like a copy please contact one of the contact officers above.

35 Manchester City Council Item 8 Communities and Neighbourhoods Overview and Scrutiny Committee 22 June 2010

Report to Executive 21st October approving the Student Strategy Implementation Plan Report to Executive 10th March approving the Change to Planning Use Classes Order South Manchester Strategic Regeneration Framework (SRF) Manchester City Council’s response to CLG Consultation “Houses in Multiple Occupation and Possible Planning Responses”

1.0 Introduction

1.1 In October 2009 a report was presented to the Executive which detailed the work that had been undertaken in the development of the Student Strategy Implementation Plan and the issues that were being addressed in partnership with the and Manchester Metropolitan University.

1.2 The Implementation Plan identified the actions that were necessary in addressing the issues associated with a large student population with a particular focus on neighbourhood management and student housing. From the study that was carried out a number of key issues were identified which needed to be addressed under four main objectives, these are;

• Develop and improve neighbourhood management approaches in areas with concentrations of student households. • Provide better accommodation for students in appropriate locations • Address the need for resident parking schemes in Ardwick and Hulme. • Take all available steps to prevent further encroachment of students lets into areas characterised by traditional family housing.

1.3 The need to develop a better understanding of the issues and options to shape future action in respect of student housing and the management of areas with high number of students was identified in the development of the South Manchester Strategic Regeneration Framework (SRF)

1.4 Approval was also sought at Executive to an interim Planning policy for development control purposes in relation to proposed student accommodation

2.0 Progress to Date

2.1 Progress on the Student Strategy Implementation Plan is detailed on the updated plan which is attached as Appendix 1.

2.2 Significant progress has been made on each of the four main objectives particularly in the following areas;

36 Manchester City Council Item 8 Communities and Neighbourhoods Overview and Scrutiny Committee 22 June 2010

Objective 1 - Develop and improve neighbourhood management approaches in areas with concentrations of student households.

A more coordinated approach in the delivery of frontline services is now taken with resources being deployed more flexibly around the student calendar particularly when students are coming to and leaving the city. This is especially evident in the management of waste and recycling services and has resulted in significant environmental improvements. Similarly noise nuisance issues are now dealt with in a more coordinated way across a number of agencies and council departments. This work has been supported by the Head of Security from Manchester Metropolitan University and has been underpinned by the implementation of the Neighbourhood Focus Strategy with which it recognises its central themes.

This work will be further enhanced by the filling of the Off Campus manager position with effect from 28th June who once in post will be working closely with community and Student unions’ representatives to help minimise the impact of a large student population in the city.

The newly established Private Sector Housing team in the south of the city together with partners are currently developing a detailed and proactive plan for the area to tackle the underlying private sector management issues. This plan of enforcement will include licensing activities. In the meantime the team are continuing to enforce property and management standards for cases on a more reactive basis.

The introduction of a new governance structure to manage crime and disorder issues also ensures that resources are deployed in a more effective manner to address communities’ concerns.

Objective 2 - Provide better accommodation for students in appropriate locations.

Recently the Council has received an increasing number of enquiries from developers regarding proposals for purpose built student accommodation in the City. This has led to the Council undertaking a study to look at supply and demand for this type of development. This has shown that there is currently a potential oversupply of student bed-spaces in purpose built accommodation in the planning pipeline, when matched against demand from both the projected growth in student numbers to 2014/15 and latent demand from students living in the general rented sector.

The Council’s policy response to this will be brought forward through the Local Development Framework Core Strategy. The draft policy approach on Purpose Built Student Accommodation is being amended and will be brought to Executive in July, before being consulted on (alongside a number of other draft Core Strategy policies) in August 2010. The key changes to the policy since it was approved by Members as an interim planning policy in October

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2009 are to state that priority will be given to schemes which are to be progressed in partnership with the universities and which also clearly meet the City Council’s regeneration priorities and that applicants/developers must demonstrate to the Council that their proposals are deliverable.

Objective 3 - Address the need for resident parking schemes in Ardwick and Hulme.

Work has progressed on the extension of resident parking schemes in the areas most affected by visitor and commuter parking. In Ardwick a new scheme has been introduced in the Groves neighbourhood (adjacent to Hathersage Road) and a further scheme is being implemented in the Grove Village area where consultation will commence in July 2010. In Hulme two further phases of residents parking will be implemented in summer 2010. In addition MMU will fund the implementation of a scheme which will cover central Hulme around the Birley Fields Community Campus areas.

Objective 4 - Take all available steps to prevent further encroachment of students lets into areas characterised by traditional family housing.

The City Council has a number of powers to support neighbourhoods which are predominantly family housing. The principal control is through the Use Class Order. Following consultation with local authorities on how to deal with high concentrations of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs), which the City Council has responded to, the Government amended planning legislation on 6th April to introduce a specific definition of a HMO into the Planning Use Classes Order. This means that planning permission is now needed for a change of use from a Class C3 dwelling house to a C4 HMO. The vast majority of privately rented student houseshares fall within Class C4 therefore the Council can now control further encroachment of student houseshares into housing which traditionally provided accommodation for families and where, in some cases, there has been substantial public investment, thus maintaining the sustainability of neighbourhoods. Members will recall that an interim policy position on this issue was reported to Executive in March 2010. A more detailed policy will be taken forward through the Local Development Framework Core Strategy, which will use a threshold approach whereby within a specific distance from an application site planning permission for a change of use to a C4 HMO would not be permitted where concentrations of properties occupied by students or recorded by the Council as licensed HMOs exceed a defined percentage. The more detailed policy will be brought to Executive in July, along with the other Pre-Publication Core Strategy policies, and will be consulted on in August. However, the City also has powers where it is the freeholder to control the activity of leaseholders, either directly or through agents (e.g. PFI contracts). This will be particularly important in neighbourhoods where there has been substantial public investment.

3.0 Summary

3.1 While good progress has been made across the identified four objectives

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contained within the Implementation Plan it is important that this level of activity is maintained and the partnership approach which has developed between the city and the University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University continues. There is a need to regularly review the objectives to ensure that they continue to reflect the issues that arise from a large student population within the city.

4.0 Contributing to the Community Strategy

(a) Performance of the economy of the region and sub region

4.1 The universities play a key role in the economy of the city. Attracting and retaining talent is essential in building the knowledge economy which contributes to making the City and City Region more competitive economically.

(b) Reaching full potential in education and employment

4.2 The Corridor Partnership is supported through the implementation of the plan as better connections between the Universities and residents will ensure that the development of skills and employment will be supported and that the Universities will be able to maximise their contribution to the success and prosperity of the city

(c) Individual and collective self esteem – mutual respect

4.3 The implementation of the plan will assist in the improvement of resident wellbeing and cohesion within neighbourhoods. Improved communication with residents which will be supported by the use of student volunteers, will result in greater opportunities for residents to influence decisions at a local level which will raise levels of self esteem and respect

(d) Neighbourhoods of Choice

4.4 The Student Strategy Implementation Plan will respond to the needs of neighbourhoods. It demonstrates that the issues that residents raise are being addressed both across services and together with the Universities. The aim is to improve resident satisfaction in the neighbourhoods with concentrations of student households

5.0 Key Polices and Considerations

(a) Equal Opportunities

5.1 The Student Strategy Implementation Plan will make a significant contribution to the promotion of equal opportunities through the joined up delivery of services at a neighbourhood level

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(b) Risk Management

5.2 None Identified

(c) Legal Considerations

5.3 None Identified

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Student Strategy Implementation Plan

Progress to June 2010

This plan has been developed in partnership between MCC the University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University to address the key issues associated with a large student population in the city.

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OBJECTIVE 1 – Develop and improve Neighbourhood Management approaches in areas with concentrations of student households

PROGRESS TO JUNE ACTIONS TIMESCALES WHO RESOURCES OUTCOMES ‘10 1 Better co-ordinated Ongoing MCC Mainstream - Environmental - Implementation of a delivery of MCC street Neighbourho improvements co-ordinated, based services and that od Services - Ability to target targeted approach of key partner agencies Crime and resources at key in the delivery of all Disorder points in front line services in GMP University managing Manchester calendar environmental and Student noise nuisance Homes issues 2 Put in place off-campus By Dec 09 Off Campus Mainstream - Single point of - Off Campus Manager and Lead Manager – contact for Manager in post 28 Council Officer University of residents and June 2010 Manchester/ members - Lead Council MMU - Co-ordination of Officer in post Lead City MCC services October 2009 Council - Identification and - Organised by MMU Officer – proactive Head of Security MCC management of visits to problem anti social households student tenant households 3 The Students' Unions of Early 2010 Student Mainstream - Assist in the - Ongoing both Universities have Unions development of engagement of indicated a willingness to more cohesive student support the communities in representatives with work of the Off-Campus the community groups Manager with neighbourhoods

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PROGRESS TO JUNE ACTIONS TIMESCALES WHO RESOURCES OUTCOMES ‘10 communities and containing a large organisations in student developing solutions to population address the impact that large numbers of students have in particular neighbourhoods 4 Improve the quality and Within 2 years MCC Mainstream/ - Complete - Following PSH management of Houses Neighbourho Mandatory Property restructure new in Multiple Occupation od Services HMO and Inspections of management team (HMOs) in areas with (Private Additional all Mandatory in place from May concentrations of Sector HMO licensing HMO’s 2010 students Housing) fees - Roll out - A full review of Additional HMO effectiveness and licensing value for money of schemes for non- enforcement mandatory methods including HMO’s where licensing is problems can be scheduled to take demonstrated place which will - Expand use of involve full Interim and Final consultation with Management Elected Members Orders where - A new targeted landlords fail to approach to manage enforcement will be properties developed with effectively subsequent - Increase licensing developed coverage of to meet local needs

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PROGRESS TO JUNE ACTIONS TIMESCALES WHO RESOURCES OUTCOMES ‘10 landlords accreditation scheme in student areas (Note: Mandatory licensing – 5 unrelated people living in a property of 3 or more storeys Additional licensing 2/3 unrelated people living in any property) 5 Crime and Disorder By Oct 09 GMP & Mainstream Reduction in crime - New governance Objectives Crime and related to students, structures Disorder specifically burglary, established within Review governance and Team robbery, vehicle CDRP – Student CDRP structures relating crime and sexual Tactical Action to student issues. offences. Partnership and Reduction in anti- Student Strategy social behaviour Group related to student population

Produce a detailed By Sept 09 GMP Mainstream Activity to address - Problem profile problem profile that crime and disorder to produced Sep 09 analyses the crime and be coordinated and updated April

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PROGRESS TO JUNE ACTIONS TIMESCALES WHO RESOURCES OUTCOMES ‘10 disorder and community across the A B and 10 safety implications C Divisions, with Student TAP and surrounding the university appropriate agencies Student Strategy community of Manchester delivering activity Group have met in accountable to the March, April and Implementation of wider partnership. May tasking recommendations from coordinated activity problem profile across 3 divisions. They have also picked up local concerns raised by students e.g. Whitworth Park

Ensure operations to Academic year Student Mainstream Community - Local concerns address crime and 09/10 Partnership engagement with identified through disorder are joined up Cllrs, Neighbourhood Neighbourhood across A, B and C Partnerships and Partnerships and divisions Respect activity to Cllr meetings to identify local highlight hotspot concerns of ASB. times and locations Coordinated activity with Initial meeting GMP and Mainstream This will be for ASB. ASB Student Safety Tactical July 09 Crime and and additional addressed through operations running Action Partnership and Disorder funded coordinated activity at key times in the Local Tasking Meetings to Team operations by CDRP agencies term to address address anti-social and fed back to Cllrs ASB e.g. Withington behaviour and local residents Christmas patrols.

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OBJECTIVE 2 – Provide better accommodation for students in appropriate locations

PROGRESS TO JUNE ACTIONS TIMESCALES WHO RESOURCES OUTCOMES ‘10 1 Put in place agreed Interim policy Head of Clear criteria that - Initial criteria based criteria as an interim reported to Planning could be applied to policy approved for planning policy for Executive the development of development control development of additional alongside this any new student purposes October purpose built student document, to access regardless of 2009. accommodation be approved location - Amended policy on (appendix 2 ) for purpose built Development student Control accommodation will purposes. be consulted on in Policy within August LDF Core Strategy 2011 2 Explore the potential for Within 3-5 Regeneratio Encourage dispersal - Continue to explore providing accommodation years n Teams / of students and opportunities where in non-traditional student Head of support regeneration there are areas Planning projects across the neighbourhood city benefits for new development outside the University campus and City Centre. 3 Encourage the Within 5 years Universities University/ - Increase in - Ongoing review of development of new MMU Privately number of hall proposed schemes managed student halls in University of funded places by in Planning pipeline accordance with above Manchester between 10%- to ensure there is criteria in: 20% compatibility with - Corridor -Hall spaces the agreed criteria.

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PROGRESS TO JUNE ACTIONS TIMESCALES WHO RESOURCES OUTCOMES ‘10 Manchester area available for 2nd - Birley Fields, and 3rd year Hulme students (not - Fallowfield, Owens currently Park Campus available) - Relieving pressure of students occupying family homes in established communities - Reducing cost of delivering street based services

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OBJECTIVE 3 – Address the need for resident’s parking schemes in Ardwick and Hulme

PROGRESS TO JUNE ACTIONS TIMESCALES WHO RESOURCES OUTCOMES ‘10 1 To deliver a strategy for September Deputy Chief MCC - Implementation of - Ardwick – Additional resident’s parking 2010 Executive MMU resident’s parking resident Parking (Regeneratio UoM schemes to reduce schemes being n) Hospital Trust negative effects of introduced (Groves MMU Use of S106 non-residential and Grove Village) UoM agreements parking - Hulme – 2 phases Hospital to be implemented Trust over summer 2010.

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- OBJECTIVE 4– Take all available steps to prevent further encroachment of student lets into areas characterised by traditional family housing

PROGRESS TO JUNE ACTIONS TIMESCALES WHO RESOURCES OUTCOMES ‘10 1 The Council has Core Strategy Head of Mainstream • Policy enables - A new Use Class responded to the scheduled to Planning the Council to for HMOs, Class Government consultation be adopted in refuse planning C4, was introduced that includes an option to September permission for in April 2010. amend the Planning Use 2011, following HMOs in - MCC adopted Classes Order, which consultation in appropriate interim policy would give greater 2010. locations. position on the planning controls to the • Further loss of change to the Use Council to prevent the family housing to Classes Order at loss of family housing to students Executive in March student lets. If the law prevented. 2010, which came changes in this respect More students are into force on April then, put in place a Core encouraged to live in 6th. The policy Strategy policy using halls which are states that the criteria to restrict further easier to manage in Council will not HMO’s where they are terms of negative permit conversion of inappropriate in areas environmental a C3 dwelling house which have experienced a impacts on to a C4 HMO where loss of traditional family neighbourhoods. this would have a housing to student lets, negative impact on meaning that the the sustainability of character of the area has neighbourhoods changed. and residential Prepare a Supplementary amenity in the Planning Document to surrounding area. consult on alongside the - A more worked up draft Core Strategy policy policy using a

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PROGRESS TO JUNE ACTIONS TIMESCALES WHO RESOURCES OUTCOMES ‘10 which will contain the threshold approach detailed approach. to prevent further HMOs in areas with high concentrations is being prepared and will be incorporated into the LDF Core Strategy. This will be reported to Executive in July and consulted on in August. - ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ factsheet prepared and distributed to landlords in the City

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