All ten councils in Greater Manchester have finally agreed plans to set up a joint, single Combined Authority to drive forward their shared economy. Until this week, Trafford and Stockport had held back their support - but both have now come on board. More coverage here and here.

This will be the UK's first proper, formal City Region - something we've been championing for years. It will have powers over economic development, regeneration, housing, transport and climate change. Specific powers include Transport for London-style powers and controlling the further education budget for 16-19s.

Communities Secretary John Denham yesterday welcomed the draft plans. A 15-week consultation will now run until 14 July.

Greater Manchester's leaders were desperate to get to this stage, before the general election - so this is a real victory for Richard Leese, Peter Smith and colleagues. They hope the new authority will be up and running by April next year. 

If the Tories win the election, they will start dismantling Regional Development Agencies and replacing them with Local Enterprise Partnerships. In Tory eyes, Greater Manchester's Combined Authority will be a very formal version of a Local Enterprise Partnership. What's not clear yet is whether a Tory Govt would devolve everything that Greater Manchester wants...


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