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.
There’s a FREE Children in Need event coming to MediaCityUK
Thomas Melia
An all-new and completely free to enjoy Children in Need event is making its way to MediaCityUK later this November, and it’s bringing along some iconic brands.
Everyone’s favourite yellow bear is returning to Manchester to take over MediaCityUK and rename it Pudsey’s Piazza for one night only.
Pudsey Bear is heading down to MediaCityUK and he’s bringing all the best activities, games, famous food, live music and more for four hours of FREE family-oriented fun.
You can expect to see Pudsey and the team alongside a whole host of celebrities, brand partners and lots of friends when Children in Need hosts its celebration later this November.
Some of the brands which have been announced include staple high street bakery Greggs, a collaboration between McDonald’s and its sports counterpart, Fun Football UK.
DJ AG is just one of the special guests preparing to take over MediaCityUK this November for Children in Need (Credit: Supplied)
Also joining the bill is viral TikTok potato-loving duo Spud Bros, who will be serving up their famed jacket potatoes with an array of fillings to choose from inside their recognisable big red van.
Greggs will be bringing a huge double-decker bus to Pudsey’s Piazza at MediaCityUK with treats on hand throughout this evening celebration, as well as interactive games for you to play.
You’ll also be able to catch a glimpse of a replica Red Arrows jet, which will be situated on the piazza all night long courtesy of aerial experts Royal Air Force.
If that wasn’t enough for you, your night will be soundtracked by the one and only viral nomad music maker DJ AG, who’ll be playing out tunes as part of a charity livestream at the bandstand.
MediaCityUK is the home of BBC Children in Need, so it’s only fitting that Pudsey would throw one of his biggest parties yet right here in Greater Manchester.
Pudsey and his friends are transforming MediaCityUK into Pudsey’s Piazza on Friday, 14 November from 4pm to 8pm, and they’re encouraging anyone to come along, especially since it’s FREE.
Featured Images — David Dixon (via Geograph)/Supplied
Boroughs
‘Christmas chaos’ on the cards as Manchester tram drivers vote on staging strike action next month
Emily Sergeant
There could be major disruption to festive travel in Greater Manchester next month, as hundreds of tram drivers are currently voting on whether to strike.
Almost 320 tram drivers are being balloted over working conditions and fears around fatigue.
The drivers – who are members of the union, Unite – all work for KeolisAmey Metrolink Limited at the Warwick Road South and Queens Road depots in Manchester – and they operate trams on all routes in Greater Manchester.
As it stands, the drivers’ shift patterns currently mean they have to work 450 hours over a 12-week period, which results in some having to work 50 hours on, followed by just two days off, then back into another 50-hour work pattern.
Drivers also have fewer rest days compared to all other operational departments, and this is said to be causing safety concerns around fatigue.
‘Christmas chaos’ is on the cards as Manchester tram drivers are currently voting on staging strike action next month / Credit: TfGM
Drivers say they concerned about operating heavy vehicles while exhausted and unable to have proper breaks, but after raising the issue with management, Unite has been told there is ‘no funding available’ to support any ‘meaningful’ improvements to working patterns.
Instead, management has asked drivers to start work earlier – which Unite says is only ‘adding insult to injury’.
The ballot is set to close on 11 November, and if drivers vote in favour of industrial action, strikes could then begin in late November, causing widespread cancellations and delays throughout the region during the busy festive shopping period – particularly coinciding with Manchester’s world-famous Christmas Markets, known for attracting millions of visitors to the city each year.
“Any strike action will cause a great deal of disruption but it is entirely the fault of Metrolink, which is not taking the issue of driver fatigue seriously,” commented Unite Regional Officer, Colin Hayden.
Emily Sergeant -
4th January 2024 
