Andy Burnham has declared that he wants 2024 to go down as the year that Greater Manchester “got serious about housing”.
Now that we’re just a few days into the new year, the Greater Manchester Mayor has been reflecting on how far the region has come within the last 12 months, and taking a moment to appreciate all the successful new projects that were delivered in 2023.
But now that the region’s plan for public transport is well underway and “proceeding at pace”, Andy Burnham has decided it’s time to turn his attentions onto two other “fundamental issues” that he claims “also need fixing” this year.
“2024 should go down as the year we got serious about housing,” the Mayor declared.
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I am optimistic 2024 will be Greater Manchester’s best year yet – cementing our reputation as the UK’s most forward-thinking city-region.
Wasting no time in kick-starting plans for potential change within the housing sector, Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) is beginning a public consultation on the new Greater Manchester ‘Good Landlord Charter’ next week, after working with a group of tenants, landlords, and other experts to help us draw it up.
“We know there are many decent landlords in our city-region, and the introduction of the Charter will give them a way of being recognised as such,” Mr Burnham said ahead of the consultation launching.
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“That being said, we know there are others who do not treat their tenants properly and do not respect our communities.
“So for the first time, our residents will have a greater ability to distinguish between the two.”
🗣️Andy has set out his ambitions for 2024 in Greater Manchester as we enter the New Year
🚍This includes more buses coming under public control with the @BeeNetwork, the launch of the Good Landlord Charter, and the trailblazing Greater Manchester Baccalaureate 🏫
— Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham (@MayorofGM) January 2, 2024
Alongside the new Charter, GMCA says it also plans to give all renters the right to request a property check from 2024 onwards, and to do this, the authority will be working with each of the region’s 10 local Councils to boost its inspection and enforcement capability.
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“Put simply, the days of bad landlords being untouchable are coming to an end,” Mr Burnham stated.
The Greater Manchester Mayor said he’s feeling “optimistic” about the change the Charter will bring to the city-region if received well by the public and ultimately approved.
“Whatever happens nationally, we will be powering ahead in 2024 as the UK’s most forward-thinking city-region, and I hope that will give you and your family a feeling of confidence for the future and wish you the best for the year ahead,” he concluded.
BBC Radio 6 Music Festival is returning to Greater Manchester next month
Thomas Melia
The BBC Radio 6 Music Festival is coming back to Manchester once again, and they’re bringing yet another phenomenal lineup with them.
National radio station and overall upcoming music connoisseurs, BBC Radio 6, are back with their music festival, and just like years previous, it’s taking place across Manchester.
Over the years, the festival has brought some of music’s biggest names to lots of local venues, putting on an array of brilliant live performances.
Last spring saw the arrival of rock band Gossip and Irish singer CMAT, both taking up residency in O2 Victoria Warehouse, Lily Fontaine of English Teacher at Band On The Wall, while DJ Seinfeld went B2B with Salute in Depot Mayfield.
Leading this glowing roster of performers is Ezra Collective, a Mercury award -winning band known for their brilliant jazz productions, and then from one Mercury-winning band to another, Lily Fontaine won’t be riding solo this year, instead she’s bringing all the crew with her, as English Teacher are set to perform at this huge festival.
Fat Dog, whose debut album is titled ‘Woof’, are joining in on the fun with Scottish band Mogwai also making a feature too.
There’s even a chance for an exclusive first listen too, as Kae Tempest will be debuting new material right here in Manchester.
Ezra Collective are performing at BBC Radio 6 Music Festival.English Teacher make a return to Manchester for this special event.Fat Dog are also playing the BBC Radio 6 Music Festival.
All performances will be taking place at a multitude of venues, like the previously mentioned O2 Victoria Warehouse, Depot Mayfield, and Band On The Wall, as well as loads of other events at entertainment bar, Yes.
Every highlight, alongside live and recorded live performances, will be taking place at MediaCityUK in Salford, in order to keep everything Manchester central.
BBC Radio 6 Music Festival is happening from 26 – 29 March 2025, with tickets going on sale from 6 February at 10am here.
A wholesome fundraising challenge is coming to Greater Manchester – and it only requires a little light exercise
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:
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.
Emily Sergeant -
4th January 2024 
