Greater Manchester Pension Fund is the biggest investor by far in fossil fuels of any local government pension scheme in the country. Environmental groups are calling on GMPF to divest from fossil fuels, to help tackle the climate emergency.
Manchester council lose judicial review over Central Retail Park planning decision
A court has found Manchester city council made the wrong decision when it approved plans to turn the former Central Retail Park in Ancoats into a temporary car park.
The council says it will appeal the decision, as Trees Not Cars campaigners call for Sir Richard Leese to ‘retire’.
Burnham brands ‘fire and rehire’ practices ‘industrial blackmail’
Andy Burnham met Go North West bosses last week to discuss service disruption.
While careful to distinguish the industrial dispute between GNW and its drivers from other instances of ‘fire and rehire’ practices, the mayor says issuing Section 188 notices to renegotiate workers’ employment contracts is tantamount to ‘industrial blackmail’.
‘Financial impact has been absolutely devastating’: art venue managers and artists on the Covid crisis toll
To support struggling creative workers art organisations have joined forces to create the Greater Manchester Artist Hub. Many self-employed and freelance artists have been left without support by the government. Two artists tell of their Covid pandemic experiences.
Climate Emergency Manchester petition results in council agreeing to redefine committee’s role in scrutinising climate action
Climate Emergency Manchester lobbied Manchester City Council for a new, 7th scrutiny committee for climate and environment.
The Council instead proposed restructuring existing committees to redefine the role of the Neighbourhoods and Environment Scrutiny Committee.
‘Fire and rehire’ plans by Go North West force bus drivers into strike action
Bus drivers in Manchester employed by Go North West voted 82% in favour of taking industrial action against the bus company for its ‘fire and rehire’ practices, on a 77% turnout.
Unite, represents the drivers, stressed there was still time for Go North West bosses to return to the negotiating table.
Israeli company Elbit, owner of recently occupied arms factory in Oldham, receives multi-million UK contract
Elbit Systems, the controversial arms firm with a factory in Oldham that supplies equipment to the Israeli military, has received a contract of over £100 million from the government to supply ‘battlefield technology’ to UK armed forces.
Pro-Palestinian protestors occupied the factory on Monday calling for a stop to its trade in military equipment used in attacks that kill Palestinian civilians.
Urmston couple launch Small Markets online platform for craft goods
The online marketplace built by Chris and Amy Monaghan of Urmston, Trafford, aims to provide a lifeline to the many craft artisans who are struggling to sell their goods due to lockdown restrictions.
‘Shudehill Shard’ monies should pay for social housing level rented homes, says Sir Richard Leese
Responding to a call from Piccadilly councillors, Manchester City Council leader Sir Richard Leese said it would be ‘entirely appropriate’ to use money made from the sale of land to build the infamous ‘Shudehill Shard’ for building social housing level rent homes in the ward.
High-rise student flat ‘tombstone’ of Oxford Rd deferred and office block on Deansgate rejected
A 54 storey student tower, dubbed the ‘brick tombstone’, a heritage clashing Deansgate office complex and a proposal to repurpose an iconic Manchester landmark all received scrutiny at this month’s planning committee.