AGMA's Constitution
While AGMA has existed since 1986, its governance arrangements have been reviewed in recent years so that they reflect:
• the ambitions which the 10 authorities in Greater Manchester have expressed in terms of collaborating more effectively at a sub regional level on issues where they agree this is necessary;
• a legal framework which shows both a readiness to manage strategic development and financial resources delegated from either a national or regional level; and
• a need to link the functions and work which are done at a strategic sub regional level into a system of democratic accountability, both at a sub regional and individual local authority level.
The current Constitution and associated governance structure were agreed by the Executive Board in January 2010. A copy of the Constitution is available in the related documents section of this page.
The Constitution sets out the principles under which AGMA will operate, and the powers and functions of the Executive Board which the 10 Districts have agreed it can provide on their behalf. The Constitution also enables the establishment of the Business Leadership Council and Commissions.
The key principles are set out in section 1 and include:
• The objective of providing governance arrangements which aim to provide streamlined decision making; excellent co-ordination of services across the combined administrative area; mutual co-operation; partnering arrangements, and added value in the provision of shared services.
• The principle of not seeking to create a separate 'AGMA' local authority; but commitment to retaining the existing structure of 10 metropolitan districts within Greater Manchester and the exercise by any of the local authority members of their statutory functions.
• A commitment to open and transparent working and proper scrutiny and challenge of the work of the Executive Board.
• A commitment to ensure that any decisions, proposals, actions whether agreed or considered at the Executive Board carry with them an obligation upon the local authority leaders to report these to their own authorities.
