All the talk in political circles at the moment is about the devolution agreement signed by the leaders of the ten Greater Manchester Councils with Chancellor George Osborne in November– and the reaction against it, particularly the imposition of a Greater Manchester Mayor without any referendum.
Indeed, throughout Greater Manchester this weekend, campaigners will be out asking people to sign petitions calling for a referendum on devolution, including at Salford Precinct from 11am.
The whole hierarchy of power in Greater Manchester is woolly to say the least, with two organisations – the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) and the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (AGMA) - in charge of stuff at a regional level, although few people understand what each one does. What is certain is that both GMCA and AGMA are squirming with Fat Cats...
GMCA, begun in 2011, is responsible for regeneration, economic development and transport across Greater Manchester, although if devolution happens this will grow to include portions of housing, planning, skills, early years and health (see previous Salford Star article for full details – click here).
Devolution will no doubt be accompanied by more well paid bureaucrats to oversee it, complementing the Fat Cats who already swarm around the place. Latest GMCA accounts for 2013-14 show that 96 staff earned over £50,000 (four took severance), compared to 74 staff earning over £50,000 the previous year; with eight staff earning over £100,000 (one took severance) in 2013-14, compared to five the previous year.
Meanwhile, in 2012-3, the highest GMCA earner had a salary in the bracket £125,000-£129,999 – last year, two Uber Fat Cats were pocketing a salary in the £150,000-£154,999 bracket, one Fat Cat was taking £215,000-£219,999 (and then took severance) ...and the highest earner trousered a salary in the bracket £265,000-£269,999, double the previous highest salary...
...Never mind, Regional Growth Fund – how about the Regional Fat Cat Growth Fund!
Meanwhile, over at AGMA which oversees `joint provisions' of the ten Greater Manchester councils (including stuff like Waste, Archaeology, Ecology, Police Support and handing out grants), the number of those earning over £50,000 full time has doubled from three in 2012-13, to six in 2013-14. The increase in Fat Cats has been explained by the expansion of its Public Sector Reform Team which, er, aims to reduce the cost of public services...
• The campaign for a referendum on Greater Manchester Devolution will be at Salford Precinct outside the Post Office from 11am this Saturday 10th January. Or sign the online petition – click here
For further details see the Devolution Referendum Campaign Facebook group – click here, the Event page - click here and the Evo Manc Facebook Group – click here
* See also Greater Manchester Fire, Waste and Transport Fat Cats Cream Off £Millions - click here
• See also previous Salford Star article on the GMCA and AGMA Fat Cats – click here
* Graphic by Steven Speed
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