Council leader backs power for the region

OLDHAM Council leader Jim McMahon is backing calls for more power for Greater Manchester.

He said Westminster is disconnected from the lives of people in Greater Manchester and decisions affecting them should be made by local people.

Councillor McMahon and other Greater Manchester leaders are in negotiations with the Treasury for greater devolution for the region.

This would see Greater Manchester handed new decision-making powers and funding.

“We’ve proven we can deliver public services which provide a better service and save the public purse money too,” said Mr McMahon.

“We’ve proven we can grow the local economy by working beyond our own boundaries. We have invested in transport and brought together employment sites. We’ve a long way to go - which local people know all too well - but we can claim credit for being the largest-growing city region outside London.

“The capital we see today is the result of more than 100 years of centralised government.”

Councillor McMahon has also made the point this isn’t just devolution for Manchester as a city and that all areas of Greater Manchester should have their issues treated equally.

He added: “We must also not fall into the trap we accuse Westminster of - not all Greater Manchester is the same and has the same issues.”