BUDGET 2015: The government has agreed with the leaders of the 10 councils behind the northern powerhouse in the North West to devolve new powers, including a land commission.
Chancellor George Osborne said the Greater Manchester region would now also take control of its own fire services and would further collaborate on children’s services.
He said the measures were designed to help balance economic growth across the country without harming London, where he said he was working with mayor Boris Johnson on projects including Crossrail 2 and the Olympic Park.
He said: “What really drives this government is building other parts of the UK as a balance to growth.
“Devolution to the nations of the UK is well established. Today we go further in building the northern powerhouse.
“The historic devolution we have agreed with Greater Manchester is available to other cities who want to go down a similar path.”
Osborne confirmed the government was now in talks with leaders in Sheffield, Liverpool and Leeds to devolve similar powers.
He said the government would invest £30m in establishing a new “Oyster-style” ticketing system to cover the great cities of the North.
And he confirmed the government was also now bringing forward its first county devolution deals, with Cornwall set to be the first to receive new powers.
Mark Walsh, partner at property consultanT Gerald Eve and head OF the firm’s Manchester office said:“Greater Manchester has led the way in applying a co-ordinated approach to development, and the establishment of a Land Commission is the next natural step, providing even greater oversight for future strategic growth.
“The Land Commission is a vote of confidence in Greater Manchester and will enable the city to further build on its already considerable success.”
