Consultation on Greater Manchester’s devolved powers launched

Greater Manchester has led the way on devolution agreements that move decision-making on crucial public services like local transport, housing and roads closer to local people. 

To ensure decisions can be made closer to the people they affect, the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) requires new legal powers. This week the GMCA has launched a consultation that invites people to have a say about a second set of new powers.

The consultation runs from Wednesday 6 July 2016 to Monday 15 August 2016 and allows people to submit their thoughts and comments on the powers that Greater Manchester will have.

Local leaders aim to use these new powers to make Greater Manchester a better place to live and work. Greater Manchester leaders are working to ensure people in Greater Manchester are able to find a home where they want to live, have the right skills for a good job and access to a world-class transport network.

Greater Manchester Mayor Tony Lloyd said: 

“Greater Manchester has led the way on devolution agreements that move decision-making about crucial public services like local transport, housing and roads closer to local people.

“As we progress and make more decisions in our communities, we want your views on a second wave of new legal powers that the Greater Manchester Combined Authority needs to realise the full potential of devolution.

“In this consultation we will outline what the new devolved powers are and ask for comments on them. This is an opportunity for people to examine up close some more of the decisions we could make locally and how it will make life better for the people of Greater Manchester.”

The powers that GMCA is taking from central government will be used in partnership with the ten GM local councils and other public bodies.

Views are being sought on the individual powers and the devolution agreements work in reality – the consultation is not about whether Greater Manchester has an elected Mayor.

Responses to the consultation will be shared with the Secretary of State and the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) and considered by the GMCA’s leaders.