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Manchester on the verge of London-style powers, says expert

21/05/2008

The conurbation's ten local authorities could soon be working together in a way that echoes the Greater Manchester County Council that was abolished by the Tories in the mid-1980s, it has been claimed.

In an article for the Guardian, communities and regeneration expert Peter Hetherington points out that the ten Greater Manchester councils have already agreed to establish an executive board that comprises town hall leaders.

Known as a multi-area agreement, the councils will agree to collective targets that tackle unemployment and congestion, and establish commissions that oversee the economy and environment.

"Of course, it is an open question whether city-regions, such as Greater Manchester, will ever gain the powers enjoyed by the mayor of London," he wrote.

"While a few business voices raise the question of an elected London-style mayor, the issue is not on the agenda - yet. But some leading Conservatives are tempted to move in this direction."

For the past two decades, some services have been delivered through the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities. In fact, it represents the city-region at a European level in Brussels.

Transport is already managed on a city-region basis by the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive, while police and fire services are also run at a regional level.