Greater Manchester Combined Authority

Greater Manchester Combined Authority is a combined authority in North West England, comprising the metropolitan county of Greater Manchester. The authority is made up of 10 metropolitan boroughs, including Manchester, Salford, Bolton, Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, and Wigan. The authority works closely with neighboring authorities, such as Lancashire County Council and Cheshire East Council, to promote economic growth and development in the region, as seen in initiatives like the Northern Powerhouse and the Atlantic Gateway project, which involves Peel Group and Manchester Airports Group.

Introduction

The Greater Manchester Combined Authority was established in 2011, following the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009, which allowed for the creation of combined authorities in England. The authority is responsible for making decisions on key issues, such as transport, economic development, and environmental protection, in collaboration with organizations like Transport for Greater Manchester and the Environment Agency. The authority's work is influenced by national policies, such as the Localism Act 2011 and the Cities and Local Government Devolution Act 2016, which have shaped the role of combined authorities in England. Key stakeholders, including Manchester Metropolitan University and the University of Manchester, contribute to the authority's decision-making process, ensuring that the needs of the local community are represented, as seen in the Greater Manchester Strategy.

History

The concept of a combined authority for Greater Manchester dates back to the 1980s, when the Greater Manchester Council was abolished, following the Local Government Act 1985. The Association of Greater Manchester Authorities was established in 1986, as a voluntary association of the 10 metropolitan boroughs, with the aim of promoting economic development and cooperation in the region, in partnership with organizations like the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce and the Manchester City Football Club. In 2010, the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 came into effect, allowing for the creation of combined authorities, and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority was formally established in 2011, with the support of HM Treasury and the Department for Communities and Local Government. The authority has since worked closely with national government, including the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and the Department for Transport, to deliver key projects, such as the Metrolink expansion and the Manchester Airport transformation program.

Governance

The Greater Manchester Combined Authority is led by a directly elected Mayor of Greater Manchester, currently Andy Burnham, who is responsible for making key decisions on behalf of the authority, in consultation with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority Cabinet and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority Overview and Scrutiny Committee. The authority is made up of 10 members, each representing one of the metropolitan boroughs, and works closely with other organizations, such as the Greater Manchester Police and Crime Commissioner and the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, to ensure effective governance and decision-making, as seen in the Greater Manchester Devolution Agreement. The authority's governance structure is influenced by national frameworks, such as the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 and the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011, which have shaped the role of combined authorities in England.

Responsibilities

The Greater Manchester Combined Authority has a range of responsibilities, including transport, economic development, and environmental protection, which are delivered in partnership with organizations like Transport for Greater Manchester and the Environment Agency. The authority is also responsible for promoting public health and wellbeing in the region, working closely with NHS England and the Public Health England, as well as local authorities, such as Manchester City Council and Salford City Council. The authority's responsibilities are influenced by national policies, such as the Health and Social Care Act 2012 and the Care Act 2014, which have shaped the role of combined authorities in England. Key stakeholders, including Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust and the Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, contribute to the authority's decision-making process, ensuring that the needs of the local community are represented.

Transport

The Greater Manchester Combined Authority has a significant role in transport in the region, working closely with Transport for Greater Manchester to deliver key projects, such as the Metrolink expansion and the Manchester Airport transformation program, in partnership with organizations like Network Rail and Highways England. The authority is also responsible for promoting sustainable transport and active travel in the region, working with organizations like Cycling UK and the Ramblers, as well as local authorities, such as Manchester City Council and Salford City Council. The authority's transport responsibilities are influenced by national policies, such as the Transport Act 2000 and the Local Transport Act 2008, which have shaped the role of combined authorities in England. Key stakeholders, including Manchester Airport Group and the Peel Group, contribute to the authority's decision-making process, ensuring that the needs of the local community are represented.

Economy

The Greater Manchester Combined Authority has a key role in promoting economic growth and development in the region, working closely with organizations like the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce and the Manchester City Football Club, as well as local authorities, such as Manchester City Council and Salford City Council. The authority is responsible for delivering key projects, such as the Northern Powerhouse and the Atlantic Gateway project, which involves Peel Group and Manchester Airports Group, and is influenced by national policies, such as the Localism Act 2011 and the Cities and Local Government Devolution Act 2016. The authority works closely with national government, including the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, to deliver key initiatives, such as the Greater Manchester Strategy and the Manchester City Region Growth Deal, in partnership with organizations like KPMG and PricewaterhouseCoopers. Key stakeholders, including Manchester Metropolitan University and the University of Manchester, contribute to the authority's decision-making process, ensuring that the needs of the local community are represented, as seen in the Greater Manchester Devolution Agreement.