Greater Manchester is leading the way on the devolution of powers and budgets from national government. The aim of devolution is to enable more local decision making, which will lead to greater benefits for people and communities. The fourth and latest devolution agreement (link below) was published in March 2016 and included new responsibilities for Greater Manchester including criminal justice, adult skills provision and a 100% business rate retention pilot project. The Greater Manchester Combined Authority website has further information on the new powers and the priorities of the "Devo Manc" agenda.
Impact for the voluntary sector and communities - GM VCSE Leadership Group
In partnership with other voluntary, community and social enterprise sector leaders, Macc is a member of the Greater Manchester VCSE Leadership Group. The GM VCSE Leadership Group was set up as a coalition of the willing seeking to promote the role and involvement of the VCSE sector and communities in Greater Manchester devolution. Members of the Leadership Group are expected to be sector leaders who can act as ‘catalysts and connectors’ on behalf of the sector.
The secretariat lead for the group is Voluntary Sector North West and more information, including a list of members and their work, can be found on the GM VCSE Leadership Group website.
The group considers all aspects of devolution and has contributed to discussions and policy work on topics such as transport, inclusive economic growth, leadership and the broad public service reform agenda. Unsurprisingly, perhaps, it is the health and social care agenda which has been the focus of a great deal of attention, not least because so much of the sector's work is relevant to health and wellbeing.
In 2017, the Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership Board agreed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise sector. The MoU had been negotiated on behalf of the sector by GMCVO and the Greater Manchester VCSE Devolution Reference Group. It will apply to work at both GM and locality levels and provide the framework for an inclusive approach including co-design and co-delivery, representation and resources.
Health and social care
Information on health and social care devolution can be found in the Health and Wellbeing section.
Macc’s role
• Promoting the sector’s important role in devolution as a ‘strategic and delivery partner’
• As a member of the Greater Manchester VCSE Leadership Group
• Monitoring developments and sharing these with members and the wider voluntary sector
• Promoting and supporting increased public engagement, accountability and influence in the new decision making powers devolved to Greater Manchester.
For more information, please contact the Policy and Influence Team on 0161 834 9823 or email [email protected]
More information
The fourth and latest Greater Manchester devolution agreement
Greater Manchester Combined Authority website
Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership website