Plans to increase council tax across Greater Manchester to fund “continued improvements in policing” have been approved.
It comes after the Greater Manchester Police, Fire and Crime Panel – which is made up of elected representatives from across all 10 of Greater Manchester’s local Councils, as well as independent members – met earlier this week (Tuesday 30 January) to vote on Mayor Andy Burnham‘s proposal to increase the police precept for 2024/25.
The Panel’s role is to “scrutinise” the Mayor and the Deputy Mayor, who both have Police and Crime Commissioner responsibilities – including setting the police precept, which is the part of council tax which funds police.
The decision to hike council tax was “unanimously agreed” on by the Panel.
Today the Greater Manchester Police, Fire and Crime Panel approved @MayorofGM's proposal to fund continued improvements in policing with an increase in the police precept for 2024/25.
— Greater Manchester Combined Authority (@greatermcr) January 30, 2024
This means that the precept will increase by 84p per month for a Band B property, or £1.08 per month for a Band D property.
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When looking at the increases annually, for example, the police precept for a Band D property will increase by £13, from £243.30 to £256.30, next year, and then for a Band B property, it will go up by £10.11, from £189.23 to £199.34.
Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) insists that, even with this agreed increase for 2024/25, the Greater Manchester police precept will still remain “one of the lowest” in England.
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The increase to the police precept will look to make sure that all the recent improvements in Greater Manchester Police (GMP) continue, GMCA added.
Council tax is to increase across Greater Manchester after proposals were approved / Credit: GMCA | Benjamin Elliott (via Unsplash)
Greater Manchester residents will be contributing to the funding of things like a further 30 police officers into frontline policing roles in 2024/25, and improvements to response times for emergency and non-emergency incidents with the increase to their council tax.
Continued investment in neighbourhood policing and crime prevention teams to further reduce neighbourhood crimes is also included.
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On top of this, the police precept increase will also fund increased capacity to prosecute offenders, with a particular focus on increasing arrests for sex offenders, and ensuring justice for any vulnerable victims.
Greater Manchester residents will help to fund ‘improvements in policing’ / Credit: GMP
Overall, GMCA says the increase will fund “continued progress to the fastest-improving police force in the country”.
Speaking following the Panel’s approval of his proposals this week, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham said: “The Government’s decision to cut police funding in real terms for 2024/25 has forced us into a difficult decision at the local level.
“We are proud of the progress that GMP has made in recent years, and are simply not prepared to put this at risk by leaving the force with large a gap in its budget for the coming year.
“We are grateful to the cross-party Police, Crime and Fire Panel for unanimously supporting our decision and will make sure that, in the coming 12 months, GMP continues to deliver real results for our residents.”
Featured Image – gov.uk
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2024 Manchester Marathon raises £29 million for local economy and over £3.7m for charity
Danny Jones
Just under a fortnight on from the 2024 Manchester Marathon and the numbers are finally, with the annual race generating nearly £30 million for the local economy and raising over £3.7m for charity.
This year’s Adidas Manchester Marathon saw record numbers of runners and spectators as over 30,000 took part in the popular race, up by roughly 6,000 from 2023, and more than 125k turned up to line the streets of Greater Manchester.
As a result, these huge crowds spent upwards of £29.2 million at business around the city centre and around the 10 boroughs last weekend, serving as one of the most significant contributions to the local economy on the annual calendar.
Not only was this an approximately £8m increase on last year’s tally but, most importantly, a sizeable chunk of that went straight into both regional and national charities.
The 2024 adidas Manchester Marathon was a spectacular day for the city and its economy.
Beyond the boost to local vendors, the hospitality sector and retail businesses, over £3.7 million were allocated to charities such as Alzheimer’s Charity, Cancer Research UK, British Heart Foundation and The Christie.
Over £32,000 was also raised for the Trafford Active Fund, with £1 from every paid entry to the Adidas Manchester Marathon and Manchester Half donated directly to the initiative that benefits local sports clubs and organisations through Trafford Council.
Better still, with City of Trees selected as the chosen ‘Green Runner’ charity, the eco-friendly drive saw roughly 7% of participants opt out of receiving either a finisher t-shirt, medal or both.
The money saved in production goes towards maintaining woodlands and wildlife across Greater Manchester.
Together you have raised over £3.7 million for charitable causes, adding even more meaning to those 26.2 miles 💕 Well done and thank you to all those who fundraised and donated! 🌟Tag us in those charity top pictures from last weekend 😍😍#ManchesterMarathonpic.twitter.com/5gsi6NtFzB
This year’s Manchester Marathon also helped produce some of the highest number of passengers on public transport in the city’s history, with a over 175,000 journeys made on Metrolink alone – the highest number of journeys ever recorded on a single day.
This was a 20% increaseon 2023’s race day (145k), spotlighting how the event continues to be more environmentally conscious as years go by.
With the 2025 adidas Manchester Marathon confirmed to be taking place on Sunday, 27 April next year – and over 12,000 places already sold – the city can already look forward to reaping the economic and social benefits of hosting one of Europe’s largest, flattest, friendliest and most-loved marathons.
Featured Images — Adidas Manchester Marathon/The Manc Group
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Manchester firefighter surprises partner with proposal during new recruits parade
Danny Jones
We’re a sucker for a wholesome little video as we know you are, which is exactly why we thought of you lot when we came across this video of a newly graduated Manchester firefighter surprising his partner with a heartwarming proposal.
Just the kind of heartwarming that usually sets us off after a long week at work.
The clip shared by Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) on Thursday, 25 April, shows Manc fireman James popping the question to his girlfriend sat unassumingly in the audience at a recent passing out ceremony.
Pass out ceremonies are when trainees go from recruits to fully qualified firefighters after completing their intensive operational training. It’s a long-standing tradition in the emergency services where friends and family gather to celebrate their achievements – it’s almost like it’s the perfect opportunity…
Watch as a Manc firefighter turns his passing out ceremony into a surprise proposal.
As you can see, since the graduates are usually the centre of attention, James couldn’t help but size his moment and instead of walking and lining up normally like everyone else, he decided to head straight over to his wife-to-be and get down on one knee.
You already know the rest.
Welling up immediately and barely able to remove her hands from her face, Melissa nods and says yes as the crowd cheers and the pair share a smooch.
Writing on social media, the GMFRS said: “We managed to capture a VERY special moment at our new recruits pass out parade today… Congratulations to James and Melissa!”, adding, “Certainly one way to start your new career”.
If we don’t see all the groomsmen dressed as firefighters on a random viral video sometime soon we’re going to be gutted.
All the best to the happy couple and if you’ve got any more lovely clips like this to send in so we can make ourselves cry (in a good way), you know what to do.
Emily Sergeant -
1st February 2024 
