Greater Manchester to the power of 10

THE 10 local authorities in Greater Manchester have agreed to join forces.

The new Greater Manchester Combined Authority will co-ordinate transport, regeneration and economic development functions and to oversee the  performance of the new devolved powers in  the pilot City Region agreement.

Lord  Peter  Smith, chair of AGMA and leader of Wigan Council said:  “The establishment of the  new combined authority would give a strong voice to the Manchester City Region where we can work together for the economic benefit of everyone across Greater Manchester when it is in all our interests to do so.

“This is about growth, it is about jobs, it is about investment and it is about our City Region speaking with a strong, united voice.

“Today’s  agreement  marks  the  end of a process which has been rightfully subjected to rigorous scrutiny by all 10 Greater Manchester authorities. It demonstrates  the commitment of all of us – whatever our political hue – to put the common interests of our communities first.”

AGMA has requested that the new authority should be created as from 1 April, 2011.

Cllr  Howard  Sykes,  vice chair of AGMA and leader of Oldham Council added: “This deal gives  Greater  Manchester a bigger say in its own destiny and places it at the forefront nationally of tackling a whole raft of issues such as skills development, worklessness and deprivation. 

“These new freedoms  will be particularly important as we work in partnership to speed up the pace of the region’s economic recovery.”