The leaders of Greater Manchester’s 10 local authorities have each signed a “trailblazing” devolution deal aimed at helping to level up the region once and for all.
Coming together to mark the historic day yesterday, Mayor Andy Burnham, was joined by Levelling Up minister, Dehanna Davison, to watch the Council leaders of all 10 Greater Manchester boroughs add their signatures to the deal that’s said to represent “the biggest step yet in the region’s devolution journey” so far.
Leader of Manchester City Council, Bev Craig, was seen signing the text of the deal alongside her fellow local Council leaders at The Manchester College yesterday.
According to Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), the new devolution deal is all about “further embedding the role of local decision-making” – which is to be done through additional powers and responsibilities being granted to local authorities.
The new deal will be focusing on a number of key areas for the region – including post-16 technical education, transport, housing, and regeneration, as well as new financial freedoms and new accountability arrangements.
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Big day for Greater Manchester.
We have signed a new devolution deal with the UK Government – and the most significant yet.
By putting place before party, we’re making politics work better for people.👍🏻 pic.twitter.com/r4c2BpcSs8
GMCA says the deal is “a vote of confidence in devolution” and in Greater Manchester‘s ability to deliver it for the future.
Even though this is the seventh devolution deal for Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham says that it is “by some way the deepest”, and will take devolution in the region “further and faster than ever before” to give local Councils even more ability to “improve the lives of people who live and work here”.
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He continued: “I have always been a passionate believer in the power of devolution, and I’ve been in the privileged position of being able to exercise those powers and make a positive difference to people’s lives.
“We’ve worked hard to secure this deal and have achieved a significant breakthrough by gaining greater control.”
Greater Manchester’s 10 Council leaders have signed a ‘trailblazing’ devolution deal / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Mr Burnham did, however, admit after the deal was signed by all 10 local authority leaders yesterday though that after “with more power, comes the need for great accountability” – but insists that he welcomes the “strengthened arrangements” announced in the deal.
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“We will continue to engage with government moving forward on other areas we’d like to see more local control over in the future which will help us to continue to improve life for people in Greater Manchester and those visiting,” he added.
“For now, our focus will be on getting ready to take on the new powers and be held to account on the decisions we will be making on behalf of the people of Greater Manchester.
“The signing of this deal marks a new era for English devolution.”
Featured Image – GMCA
Boroughs
Greater Manchester emergency services issue urgent safety warning ahead of Bonfire Night
Emily Sergeant
An urgent safety warning has been issued by emergency services ahead of Bonfire Night this week.
With Bonfire Night only a few days away now, and fireworks already starting to be let off across the region, Greater Manchester’s emergency services have, once again, come together to launch a campaign urging communities to be safe, and warn against attacking emergency service workers or taking part in anti-social behaviour.
Led by Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS), in partnership with Greater Manchester Police (GMP), Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), and the region’s 10 local Councils, the Bang Out Of Order campaign highlights the consequences of anti-social behaviour.
Last year, incidents of anti-social behaviour relating to nuisance from fireworks rose by 2% – with 1,020 cases recorded, while attacks on firefighters also sadly increased.
An urgent safety warning has been issued by emergency services ahead of Bonfire Night / Credit: DESIGNECOLOGIST (via Unsplash)
935 fires were also started deliberately between 1 September and 10 November last year, while 767 hoax calls were made to the police and fire service within the same time period.
GMFRS has now issued an urgent safety warning.
Matt Hamer, Director for Community Safety and Training, said: “The Bonfire Night period is one of the busiest times of the year for our emergency services, and we want everyone to enjoy the celebrations safely and responsibly.
“We strongly encourage people to attend organised firework displays and bonfire events wherever possible. If you are planning your own celebrations, it is essential that you follow the Firework Code and take the necessary precautions to protect yourself and those around you.
“Deliberately setting fires, misusing fireworks or attacking emergency service workers is completely unacceptable and can have serious consequences. Our firefighters are there to protect communities and should never face abuse, violence or intimidation while carrying out their duties.
“By working together with our partners and local communities, we can help ensure Greater Manchester remains safe throughout the bonfire season.”
Featured Image – GMFRS
Boroughs
TfGM apologises after two weeks of major tram disruption across Greater Manchester
Emily Sergeant
Trams have finally resumed running in Greater Manchester following two weeks of major disruption across the Metrolink network.
Tram services have resumed across the Altrincham, Eccles, and Trafford Park lines this morning (Monday 2 November) following the completion of major track replacement work between Trafford Bar and Deansgate-Castlefield, while maintenance and renewal work also took place on the Eccles line and in the city centre during the planned closure.
Engineers replaced around 4km of track on what is said to be one of the ‘busiest and most complex’ sections of the Metrolink network.
The new track will allow further speed restrictions to be lifted, as according to TfGM, around 100,000 journeys are already benefiting from journey time improvements delivered through previous phases of work every day.
It all forms part of the next phase of the ongoing £150m investment into Greater Manchester’s tram network in a bid to make it ‘safer’ and ‘more resilient and reliable’ for years to come.
✅ This morning, tram services have resumed on the Altrincham, East Didsbury, Eccles, Manchester Airport and Trafford Park lines.
We thank customers for their patience and understanding while these works took place.
↪️ A small service change remains in place through the city centre until the end of service on Wednesday 4 November.
Until then, trams on the Bury – Altrincham, and Victoria – Manchester Airport lines will divert via Exchange Square. Customers may need to change trams to reach Shudehill or Market Street.
👉 Find out more: https://t.co/Vm08ZEDUq4
With services now back up and running, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has issued a statement apologising for disruption.
Ian Davies, who is the Network Director for Metrolink at TfGM, commented: “This was an essential piece of engineering work on one of the busiest parts of our tram network and will help keep services safe, reliable and fit for the future.
“We’re sorry for the disruption and I’d like to thank passengers, residents, and businesses for their patience while we got on with the job.
“The upgrades mean customers will benefit from smoother journeys and allow us to lift further speed restrictions on this section of the network. It will help speed up our journeys and improve reliability for everyone who uses our network.
“Completing work of this scale on time is a significant achievement and I’d like to thank everyone involved for getting it done safely and efficiently.”
Emily Sergeant -
22nd March 2023 
