“Trailblazing” deal sees greater control over rail services and education in Salford

A “trailblazing” new devolution deal for Greater Manchester has been signed today bringing a raft of new powers to Salford.

Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett met council leaders from across Greater Manchester to agree the deal which was authorised by the UK government last year. 

The deal includes:

• the ability to create the country’s first integrated technical education city-region, so it works better for young people and employers, through a new partnership board with the Department for Education; 
• more influence on regional rail services to deliver a London-style integrated public transport system – the Bee Network – by2030; 
• £150m of brownfield funding and powers to underpin the new Greater Manchester Good Landlord Charter, which aims to raise standards in the social and private rented sectors; and 
• a single funding settlement similar to Scotland and Wales – the first time such a flexible grant has been given to an English region. 

I’ve been at ⁦@TheMcrCollege⁩ this morning as ⁦@salford_mayor⁩ signs the new Greater Manchester devolution deal with ⁦@DehennaDavison⁩ on behalf of the City of Salford #localgov #Salford #devolution #TeamGM pic.twitter.com/FpQ4RrqxPy

— Tom Stannard (@tomstannard) March 21, 2023

Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett said: “This new trailblazer devolution deal enables us to build on the long-standing collaboration and partnership with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and councils across Greater Manchester for the benefit of all our residents, businesses and communities. 

“The deal hopes to gain new responsibilities over housing that will allow the council to crack down on rogue landlords and control over £150m brownfield funding. 

“This will be the seventh devolution deal for Greater Manchester, building on existing responsibilities over transport, business support, employment and skills support, policing, spatial planning, housing investment and health. 

Commenting on the new devolution deal, Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham said: “While we didn’t get everything we wanted, we will continue to engage with government on those areas in the future.

“For now, our focus will be on getting ready to take on the new powers and be held to account on the decisions we will be making on behalf of the people of Greater Manchester. Today is a new era for English devolution.”