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Spidergran


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Greater Manchester Combined Authority?
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Agenda Item 21 of the recent Stockport Executive Council Meeting agenda is devoted to a thing called 'City Region Governance'.  The ExCom is currently 'formulating a response to the current consultation' on the following proposal:

1.  AGMA was set up after the Greater Manchester Council was abolished in the 80s.  It was a voluntary association of 10 local authorities.

2. In 2008 AGMA altered its constitution to become a statutory [i.e. not longer voluntary but legal] committee/board.

3.  There is now "... a proposal to create a Combined Authority for Greater Manchester, using new legislation that had been brought into effect by the government the previous day."  It would be like the existing joint authorities for transport, waste disposal or police and there is the small print about powers and funding I don't quite understand. 


However, "Stockport and Trafford's Leaders made clear that their councils did not intend to be formally party to making and consulting on the proposal" apparently because of some fear the Secretary of State 'might force those councils to join a Combined Authority against their will".

Is this behind the Mayor for Greater Manchester issue that's posted on the issues board?  If it is, no wonder Our Leader won't hear of it.  But I do think our residents should.  I want to find out more and put it up as an issue.  Any comments would be appreciated.




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Spidergran
mercury


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This is not at all true for Trafford at least, see:

http://www.trafford.gov.uk/news/press/details.asp?ID=1961

Leader of Trafford Council Matt Colledge said: "These plans are an excellent opportunity for Trafford to reap the benefits of being part of a Combined Authority. We have worked really hard to ensure that the new arrangements will improve the economic regeneration and transport links across Trafford and the wider area.

Throughout the consultation we have responded positively, ensuring that we have properly represented the interests of the communities and businesses of Trafford. As a result we have secured assurances that the new arrangements will strengthen the delivery of Trafford's objectives in the future."


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Spidergran


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Thanks Mercury ... does that mean Stockport is out on a limb? 

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mercury


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I believe that was the case, but as of yesterday - they have buckled under the polictical pressure.  Guess they thought it wasn't such a good idea to be the only council resisting the move:

http://www.regen.net/news/ByDiscipline/Economic-Development/993305/Stockport-backs-Manchester-city-region/

I've heard it said that trying to get all authorities within GM to do something together for the greater good is like 'herding cats'.  Hopefully with the new majority vote method this will no longer be the case.  I think that political party majority over the whole GM region will start to matter a lot more now.



-- Edited by mercury on Tuesday 30th of March 2010 12:55:54 AM

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