News

Greater Manchester council tax could be increased to improve region’s fire service

"I don’t make this proposal lightly," Mayor Andy Burnham claimed.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 3rd February 2025

Council tax could be increased across Greater Manchester to help keep the region’s fire services one of the UK’s best.

In case you missed it, residents across Greater Manchester were urged to have their say on proposals to increase the police precept that forms part of their council tax bill earlier last month, with funding set to help Greater Manchester Police (GMP) further improve in a number of crucial areas – including the speed of answering 999 and 101 calls.

But now, it’s time to turn attentions onto the region’s fire service.

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham formally set out his proposals for the council tax precepts that go towards funding fire services in Greater Manchester last week.

With the majority of homes in Greater Manchester falling within Bands A and B, the proposal is for a £3.89 increase in the fire precept (32p a month) for a Band B property – which equates to £5 annual increase (41p a month) for a Band D property. 

ADVERTISEMENT

Mr Burnham’s recommendations across all budgets will be considered for approval at Greater Manchester Combined Authority‘s (GMCA) special budget meeting on this Friday (7 February).

“I don’t make this proposal lightly,” claimed Mayor Andy Burnham.

ADVERTISEMENT

“I know every pound counts for people in Greater Manchester, especially in the current climate, but the truth is that, without this increase to the precept, we will not be able to maintain the improvements we’ve seen in our fire and rescue service in our region.  

Council tax could be increased to help keep Greater Manchester’s fire service one of the UK’s best / Credit: gov.uk

“We need to see sustainable funding for fire and rescue services in the Government’s spending review this summer, and with flooding becoming more common, response to flooding events should be made a statutory responsibility, with the necessary funding provided to invest in this area.” 

The proposal to increase council tax to fund GMFRS comes after the service was revealed as the most improved and one of best performing fire and rescue services in the country, as per its latest His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) inspection, published in March 2023.

ADVERTISEMENT

Read more:

The report praised GMFRS for keeping people safe and secure from fires, and commended the way it has improved different capabilities – including its terror attack response capacity.

Featured Image – GMFRS (via Facebook)

News

A wholesome fundraising challenge is coming to Greater Manchester – and it only requires a little light exercise

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia

Greater Manchester is being asked to ‘Step Up’ in support of a fundraising event that’s aiming to raise funds for a very important cause.

In a bid to raise money for unemployed women an all-new fundraising challenge has been announced titled ‘Step Up’ and it’s running throughout March 2025.

This challenge has been set up by Smart Works Greater Manchester, an important local organisation and necessary resource that provides interview clothing and coaching for unemployed women.

Women who use this service can receive a 60-minute dressing appointment and accompanying hour-long personalised interview preparation, completely free of charge.

In order for vital services such as these to be made readily available, companies like Smart Works Greater Manchester rely on schemes like these to raise money and for people to get involved.

The ‘Step Up’ fundraising challenge is hoping to reach a goal of £35,000 while also covering 130 miles – the equivalent of walking the perimeter of Greater Manchester‘s ten wonderful boroughs.

In 2024, this organisation helped over 800 women and from this, two-thirds of the candidates went on to secure jobs in various work sectors.

Anyone can join this new initiative and Smart Works are calling on local businesses, community groups and individuals to sign up, recruit and take part. Walk, run, cycle, break it up into as big a team as you like – the choice is yours.

As well as raising money for a good cause, those who can get the most donations will be rewarded with some fantastic prizes too; it’s also a brilliant and easy way to promote regular exercise, physical health and general well-being.

Smart Works put on a wonderful festive crowdfunding event this past year too:

A local employment charity is looking to raise £25,000 for Greater Manchester women this Christmas

Read more:

There is no better time for this challenge to take place than now as money raised can instantly help as many people as possible during this current period of economic strain and financial instability.

Smart Works has many centres across the country including London, Birmingham, Newcastle, Reading and even a spot just over the hill in Leeds.

Who knows? Maybe you can rope a co-worker or two into getting involved, all we know is every little bit of effort contributes to making a big difference.

Anyone looking to take part in ‘Step Up’ for Smart Works Greater Manchester can find out more information and sign up HERE.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Image: Publicity Picture (Supplied)

News

Manchester woman arrested after commenting ‘hey guys’ on her own wanted appeal

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

A woman from Manchester has been arrested after she commented “hey guys” on her own wanted appeal online.

Oh, and she was found hiding under a pile of children’s toys too.

It’s not a classic arrest story, by any stretch of the imagination, but Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has explained how a woman who taunted officers by commenting “hey guys” on her own wanted appeal posted to a GMP social media account was subsequently arrested later by officers from GMP’s City Centre policing team.

The 22-year-old was located at an address on Platt Lane in Fallowfield, and when police arrived at she scene, she was found hiding in one of the rooms under a pile of children’s toys.

The woman was first arrested on suspicion for failing to appear at court for three counts of assault of an emergency worker, drugs offences, and theft, and was then further arrested on suspicion of assaulting a police officer.

She remains in custody for questioning by GMP detectives.

“We currently have a woman in custody being questioned by detectives thanks to the swift actions of our officers,” commented Detective Inspector Natalie McDonald.

The comment the woman posted under her own wanted appeal / Credit: GMP

“We want to thank everyone who engaged with our post, as it ultimately helped us to locate and arrest this woman, and we have dedicated teams of officers across Manchester who are actively seeking and arresting those who are wanted.”

GMP says fighting neighbourhood crime is “a priority” for officers.

Read more:

The public is urged to contact GMP on 101, or the online LiveChat function at www.gmp.police.uk, as well as via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, if they have concerns about crime in their community.

Featured Image – GMP

More News

Boroughs

Greater Manchester town named ‘property hotspot’ after prices jump nearly 10% last year

Marcus Rashford leaving United on loan Aston Villa

News

Marcus Rashford looks set to leave Manchester United on loan after 20 years

Cause of Man City fire at Etihad Stadium merch stand confirmed

Manchester

The cause of the fire at Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium has been confirmed

Audio

Clint Boon takes us around Manchester's iconic Deaf Institute

Eats

We go meatballs deep with Mira's traditional Neapolitan sandwiches