What does the Mayor do?
The Mayor of Greater Manchester is an important figure in the political life of the city region, entrusted with unique powers and responsibilities.
Greater Manchester’s first mayoral election took place in 2017, following devolution deals between the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) and central government. The GMCA was formed in 2011, by the ten GM councils (Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford and Wigan).
Each of the city-region’s councils has one seat on the GMCA, held by the council leader, or, in the case of Salford, the elected City Mayor. The Mayor of Greater Manchester is the chair and eleventh member.
In March 2023, the GMCA agreed its seventh Devolution Deal, the “Trailblazer” deeper devolution deal.
The elected Mayor works together with the GMCA to deliver their vision for Greater Manchester.
The Mayor’s responsibilities include setting budgets and priorities for Greater Manchester’s public services including transport and the fire and rescue service; fulfilling the role of Police and Crime Commissioner and acting as an ambassador for the city region.
Transport
Transport is a hugely important part of the Greater Manchester Strategy, which calls for world-class connectivity that keeps Greater Manchester moving, and the Mayor has a leading role in improving Greater Manchester’s transport networks.
The Mayor, in consultation with the GMCA, is responsible for the Local Transport Plan which sets out Greater Manchester’s transport priorities for the short, medium and long term.
The Mayor also has responsibility for key aspects of transport funding, including capital funding for new infrastructure and revenue funding to support the operation of transport services.
The Mayor also has a number of specific transport powers, for example relating to bus services. In 2023, locally-controlled (franchised) bus services were introduced in Greater Manchester, with the launch of the Bee Network. The Bee Network powered by Transport for Greater Manchester, has the ability to set the rules for local bus services, including the routes, timetables and fares. The Bee Network currently operates alongside deregulated bus services. All key decisions are taken by the Mayor, in consultation with the GMCA, with some transport decisions having been delegated to the Bee Network Committee.
And as chair of the GMCA, the Mayor has broader influence over the wider transport agenda, for example in relation to concessionary fares, cycling, walking and rail.
Planning and Housing
The Mayor of Greater Manchester has important powers over housing and planning within the region, which together with the GMCA, includes control of the £300 million Greater Manchester Housing Investment Fund.
Through the devolution agreement, the Mayor has a duty to produce a Spatial Development Strategy (SDS). This is a plan that covers the whole of the city-region and requires unanimous support of the GMCA.
The GMCA has functions in relation to housing and regeneration which are exercised concurrently with the Homes and Communities Agency. The power to acquire land under these powers is exercisable by the Mayor and requires the consent of all members of the GMCA appointed by the constituent councils whose area contains any part of the land subject to the proposed compulsory acquisition.
Policing
The Mayor of Greater Manchester has the responsibilities of a Police and Crime Commissioner. They are the public’s voice on policing matters, with duties including setting the policing budget and preparing the Police and Crime Plan that decides the priorities for Greater Manchester Police. The Chief Constable retains responsibility for operational matters.
Fire and Rescue
The Mayor of Greater Manchester is responsible for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service. The Mayor sets the budget and strategic priorities for the service, whilst operational matters remain the responsibility of the Chief Fire Officer.
Decision Making
The nine council leaders and Salford’s City Mayor, as well as leading their own councils, are members of the GMCA with the elected Mayor of Greater Manchester its eleventh member. Together they take decisions as GMCA.