Overview of the city and the Council
The Our Manchester Strategy sets the overall direction and long term ambition for the whole city. The strategy was launched in 2016 and re-set in 2021, named ‘Forward to 2025’. A new strategy for the city is currently being developed for 2025 to 2035. The vision is for Manchester to be in the top-flight of world class cities by 2025, when the city will be:
- Thriving and Sustainable – vibrant with a cutting-edge economy that involves and fairly rewards all our people
- Highly Skilled – work-ready, well-educated young people and all residents supported to take up opportunities
- Progressive and Equitable – where all can thrive, with better joined-up support, care and health services
- Liveable and Zero Carbon – safe, enjoyable neighbourhoods with affordable housing, zero-carbon by 2038 using green growth and design, energy, and more climate-resilient
- Connected – more walking, cycling and green transport, and accessible digital technology used by and working for everyone.
Manchester City Council’s Corporate Plan and Annual Business Plan set out the Council’s contribution to the Our Manchester vision. The priorities are:
- Inclusive economy where every resident shares in the prosperity of our growing economy
- Tackling climate change and creating a healthy, green, socially just city where all can thrive
- Advancing Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
- Children and Young People enjoy a safe, happy, healthy, and successful future.
- Improving Health and Wellbeing for all
- Inclusive Communities, Thriving Neighbourhoods
- Well-managed Council
The Council will deliver these priorities through new ways of working and by demonstrating the Our Manchester Behaviours.
Each Council service develops an annual service plan that describes their priorities and how they will deliver the commitments in the Corporate and Business Plan.
The Council monitors delivery of the Corporate Plan through a Corporate Plan Monitor that is reported frequently to Senior Management Team and Executive Members. The Council also has Directorate-specific Performance Management Framework that monitor a wide range of key performance indicators for each of the Council’s services. An annual State of the city report monitors progress to deliver the Our Manchester Strategy.
Manchester was recognised as a ‘first class Council’ in ‘a city of firsts’ by the Local Government Association Corporate peer challenge in December 2021. Manchester was named as Council of the Year by the Local Government Chronicle in 2022.