The Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) is embarking on its second consultation relating to new devolution powers. While no-one was consulted on the whole prospect of devolution or an elected Greater Manchester Mayor in the first place, now that the process is happening, people are being expected to give their views on decorating the stable door after the horse has bolted. And no-one is impressed.
The first consultation, between March and May this year covered seriously important issues like housing, regeneration and planning, health, the GM Mayor's duties and highways. But there was so little information provided on the issues that it was hard to make informed judgements. It was called a `figleaf' and a `farce' (see here and see here). At the time, the Salford Star asked to interview someone from GMCA. It was not even met with the dignity of a response.
"It is our view that the consultation was clear, concise and informative" stated the GMCA in a subsequent report. But, in the event, a pathetic total of only 169 residents out of 1.9million who live in Greater Manchester responded to the consultation, many making points that the GMCA ruled was outside the scope of what the organisation was asking.
For instance, on housing, there were fifty responses for or against the proposals, but 89 `outside the scope of this consultation'. It is clear from the consultation report that people wanted a say on what mattered to them and not the specific bureaucratic tick boxes devised by the GMCA and the Government...
"Through the consultation process, the view was again expressed that devolution is being used by Government only as a mechanism to transfer responsibility for decisions in relation to spending cuts" the report sniffs... "From the outset of the devolution journey the GMCA view has been clear: that devolution is a positive development for the Greater Manchester city-region, providing local leaders with greater control over the policy levers needed to drive growth and reform."
Interestingly, some of the biggest backers for the GMCA proposals are businesses like Peel Holdings and Bruntwood, particularly in relation to the GM Spatial Framework which will effectively remove planning powers from Salford City Council and could see over 60,000 new houses built in the city, including thousands in the green belt (see previous Salford Star article click here).
This latest GMCA consultation includes planning but only asks for views "on whether the Spatial Framework should include maps so that we can be more transparent about our plan for land use across Greater Manchester. The maps will show what land is available for housing and/or employment..."
Other issues covered by the consultation include transferring all strategy power for the Fire and Rescue Service to the GM Mayor, integrating the powers of the Waste Disposal Authority into the GMCA and devolving more powers relating to education (over 19), skills and employment to the GMCA.
There are also proposals to give the GM Mayor the "power to determine bus routes in Greater Manchester through franchised bus services and also have responsibility for implementing a smart ticketing system, similar to London's Oyster Card, which would allow residents to travel using contactless payments"; and making Transport for Greater Manchester (TFGM), which currently makes most of the Greater Manchester transport policy into "a joint committee of the Mayor".
Other issues being consulted on are how many committees will scrutinise the GM Mayor and the inclusion of GMCA in Equalities Act.
"Views are being sought on the individual powers and the devolution agreements work in reality the consultation is not about whether Greater Manchester has an elected Mayor" states Salford Council.
Does all this relate to a proper consultation about devolution? And, if so, why is it being conducted over the summer when people are away on holiday? Will it capture the imagination of 1.9million Greater Manchester residents, or will less than two hundred people again respond?
The GMCA consultation runs until 15th August - click here to find out more and fill it in...
* Meanwhile, the race to become GM Mayor is hotting up with three Labour Party candidates currently battling it out for the party nomination Ivan Lewis, Andy Burnham and hot favourite, Tony Lloyd. The GM Mayor election itself doesn't take place until spring 2017.
** This Wednesday, August 3rd, TUSC is holding a public meeting on DevoManc - What is happening and how can we defend jobs and services? It's at the Kings Arms on Bloom Street, Salford 7pm-9pm
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