September 2023
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This conference looked at the future of devolution in Manchester following the announcement of extended powers for the Greater Manchester Combined Authority in the Spring Budget.
Stakeholders and policymakers discussed the new powers that the Trailblazer Deal gives GMCA and the implications for the region, its services, the education sector, and transport.
The conference was an opportunity to assess the way forward for economic development, investment and growth, and priorities for addressing skills and education gaps in the region, with further sessions looking more widely at the impact of the deal on devolution in England.
We also expected discussion around:
- the funding boost announced in the Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill for six out of ten Manchester borough councils
- Greater Manchester mayor, Andy Burnham, calling for the Government to back his plan for more community-owned energy production
- new powers for GMCA over the strategic direction of the affordable housing programme
- launch of the Bee Network, expected in September, which will link bus and tram tickets, making them 20% cheaper, with the aim of creating a ‘London style’ integrated transport system
- the Skills Bootcamp programmes in areas such as digital tech, construction, manufacturing, logistics, education, and health and social care
We are pleased to have been able to include keynote sessions with Eamonn BoyIan, Chief Executive, Greater Manchester Combined Authority; Vernon Everitt, Transport Commissioner, Transport for Greater Manchester; and Professor Georgina Blakeley, Professor of Democracy and Governance, University of Huddersfield.
Overall, areas for discussion in the agenda included:
- new powers: next steps for implementation - implications for Greater Manchester, both immediately and in the long-term - priorities for the administration of local funding
- funding: identifying challenges and opportunities posed by changing the funding system for the GMCA, from a multiple to single bid stream system
- infrastructure development:
- how can increased powers be used to support the GMCA in meeting development targets
- options for implementing a ‘London style’ system for public transport, and creation of the Bee Network
- how to balance a positive impact on rural communities as well as urban
- skills: tackling digital exclusion and other gaps and inequalities in the region - ensuring accessibility of post-16 education opportunities - development of skills boot camps that meet local needs
- leadership and accountability: the impact of new quarterly scrutiny panels, with reviews of the Combined Authority Mayor and portfolio holders conducted by local MPs
- next steps for devolution: transfer of increased powers for economic development to local authorities in April 2024 - ways to measure the impact and long-term outlook for devolution
The conference was an opportunity for stakeholders to consider the issues alongside key policy officials who attended from DBT; Defra; DESNZ; DfE; DfT; DLUHC; DSIT; DWP; GLD; HM Treasury; Home Office; IPO; NAO; ORR; and UKIB.
