GMCA top team set to be confirmed

The Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) lead member roles to drive forward its strategy for growth and reform are due to be confirmed on Friday 25 September.

The GMCA is made up of the interim Mayor of Greater Manchester Tony Lloyd along with the leaders of the area’s 10 local authorities.

It will be asked to agree the updated allocation of portfolio responsibilities, defining who will take the lead in the subject areas which its work covers, when it meets in Stockport.

The proposed division of lead responsibilities is:

Interim Mayor of Greater Manchester Tony Lloyd: Devolution, Public Sector Reform, Communications and Press 
Vice chair Cllr Sean Anstee: Skills, Employment and Worklessness 
Vice chair Cllr Sue Derbyshire: Planning, Housing and Environment; Low Carbon 
Vice chair Sir Richard Leese: Economic strategy/growth deal, Rail North, HS2 and East-West transport strategy 
Cllr Mike Connolly: Police and Crime; Protect and Respond and Civil Contingencies 
Cllr Richard Farnell: Internationalisation and Marketing 
Cllr Jim McMahon: Transport 
Cllr Cliff Morris: Services for Children 
Cllr Kieran Quinn: Investment Strategy and Finance 
Lord Peter Smith: Health and Wellbeing 
City Mayor Ian Stewart: Business Support and Business Finance

Interim Mayor of Greater Manchester Tony Lloyd said: “This is a pivotal moment for Greater Manchester. We are striving to ensure that the greater influence we’ve secured for the area through devolution is translated into an improved quality of life for people here – linking them with better health, transport, housing, employment and other opportunities within a thriving economy. We will continue to campaign for further devolution where it will help us achieve this ambition.

“The GMCA portfolio leads for each subject area - myself and the leaders of the 10 Greater Manchester councils - will come together as one team to drive forward this vision. I look forward to taking this work forward in the months ahead.”

In each subject area, the senior politician will be supported in the role by one of the 10 Greater Manchester local authority chief executives or the chief executives of Transport for Greater Manchester and the Manchester Growth Company.

Notes to Editors 
The following Greater Manchester senior officers will work alongside the interim GM mayor, leaders and city mayor on their respective portfolios. Public sector reform: Donna Hall (lead) and Paul Najsarek (deputy); Communications: Carolyn Wilkins; Health and Wellbeing: Steven Pleasant; Services for Children: Jim Taylor; Skills Employment and Worklessness: Theresa Grant; Police and Crime/Protect and respond and civil contingencies: Mike Owen; Economic Strategy/Growth Deal: Sir Howard Berstein; HS2 and East-West strategy Dr Jon Lamonte, Transport: Dr Jon Lamonte; Planning, Housing and Environment: Eamonn Boylan; Low Carbon: Steve Rumbelow; Investment Strategy and Finance: Eamonn Boylan and Richard Paver; Low Carbon Investment: Steve Rumbelow; Business Support and Business Finance: Mark Hughes; Internationalisation and Marketing: Jim Taylor.