Borough signs up to co-op of councils

OLDHAM looks set to benefit from a pioneering new deal struck by Greater Manchester town hall chiefs yesterday.

The 10 local authorities last night signed a Government-backed multi-area agreement (MAAs) to usher in a new era of co-operation across local authority boundaries.

The councils will agree to stop scrapping over funding and stand shoulder-to-shoulder, pooling power and resources to get things done faster.

Chairman of Manchester Enterprises Peter Heginbotham, said: “Oldham has a fantastic opportunity to play a key part in this and build from it.

“My personal opinion as an Oldham lad is that is it a place that needs to improve its aspirations of people.

“This signing is a great opportunity for the combined power of 2.5 million people working together and getting money and investment for Greater Manchester.”

Under the new agreement, all Greater Manchester local authorities and their partners including the Learning and Skills Council, Jobcentre Plus and the North-West development Agency, have committed to ambitious joint targets in the provision of higher level skills and improved transport connectivity.