Andy Burnham has announced significant portfolio changes for the Greater Manchester Combined Authority.
The Mayor of Greater Manchester revealed the new portfolios each GMCA member will spearhead for the city-region, welcoming new council leaders from Bolton and Oldham after the local elections on 5 May.
The GMCA is made up of the leaders of the ten Greater Manchester councils, the mayor and the deputy mayor. Each member is responsible for a different policy area.
In his announcement, Burnham bade farewell to outgoing councillors Martyn Cox and Amanda Chadderton and introduced two new Labour council leaders.
He said: “We now welcome new GMCA member Councillor Nick Peel, representing Bolton as lead for Digital City-Region and we welcome back Councillor Arooj Shah representing Oldham, as lead for Equalities and Communities.
“They and our other GMCA members will work with me to deliver our ambitious and exciting programme, including using the new levers we secured under the Trailblazer Devolution Deal. I look forward to working together to make a positive difference to the lives of people who live, work and visit our city-region.”
Councillor Arooj Shah returned to the GMCA after topping the polls in St Mary’s earlier this month and regaining her position as Oldham leader.
She first held the position in 2021-2022, but lost it to Conservative candidate Robert Barnes in 2022.
Meanwhile, Councillor Nick Peel was appointed leader of Bolton earlier this month after the Conservatives lost control of the council in the local elections. Labour is the largest party but does not have an outright majority.
Peel will take over a brand new portfolio position of Digital City-Region. Digital policy was previously combined with education, skills, work, and apprenticeships, a portfolio held by Bury’s Eamonn O’Brien, who is now in charge of Technical Education and Skills.
Tom Ross, who assumed the office of council leader for Trafford in January this year after his predecessor Andrew Western left the council to become the MP for Stretford and Urmston, celebrated his appointment as member for the Green City-Region portfolio on Twitter, saying he “can’t wait to get started”.
Can’t wait to get started with the @greatermcr Green City-Region portfolio! 🌳🌱♻️
— Tom Ross (@TomWRoss) May 26, 2023
Also v pleased to secure £4.7m for Talbot Rd junction upgrades today- this will support the @TraffordCouncil Walking, Wheeling & Cycling Strategy. https://t.co/LnxZACTWUb
The new members will be joined by Kate Green in the role of Deputy Mayor for Policing, Crime, Criminal Justice and Fire, who stepped in after Baroness Bev Hughes retired this January.
See the full list of portfolios of GMCA members here:
| GMCA Member | Portfolio |
| Andy Burnham | Policy & Reform and Transport |
| Ged Cooney | Housing |
| Bev Craig | Economy, Business and Inclusive Growth |
| Paul Dennett | Healthy Lives and Homelessness |
| Neil Emmott | Culture |
| Kate Green | Safer and Stronger Communities |
| Mark Hunter | Children and Young People |
| David Molyneux | Resources and Investment |
| Eamonn O’Brien | Technical Education and Skills |
| Nick Peel | Digital City-Region |
| Arooj Shah | Equalities and Communities |
| Tom Ross | Green City-Region |
