Call for referendum over elected mayor

CAMPAIGNERS are calling for a referendum to see if the people of Greater Manchester are in favour of an elected mayor.

The Greater Manchester Association of Trades Union Councils is urging Oldhamers to sign a petition to allow people to have their say on the details of the devolution agreement.

Devolve

The group also rejects the idea of a special mayor tax being introduced to pay for the new set up.

Last month, Chancellor George Osborne announced plans to devolve central powers to the region giving the mayor of Greater Manchester — who could be in place by 2017 — control over transport, housing, planning and policy.

He or she would also take control of a £300 million Housing Investment Fund and become the region’s Police and Crime Commissioner.

The proposals also look to give the Greater Manchester Combined Authority more say in business, health and social care budgets.

Oldham councillors gave their backing to the devolution deal at the full council meeting last Wednesday, with leader Jim McMahon hailing it a “step in the right direction” but urged that the identity of the region must be protected.

A spokesperson for the campaign group said: “If the Devo Manc deal is such a good thing, then what do George Osborne and Greater Manchester’s Council leaders have to fear from putting the whole thing out to greater public scrutiny and letting the people of Greater Manchester decide whether they want it or not, as was previously done with the Greater Manchester congestion charge.”
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