Welcome to GMCA & AGMA’s third quarterly newsletter. Your overview of the key work going on across Greater Manchester.

GMCA & AGMA
If you are new to the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and AGMA or would simply like to know more about us and how it works visit our website:
http://www.agma.gov.uk/

Governance  - New Members 

June is the annual AGM for both the GM Combined Authority and AGMA when nominations from the AGMA authorities are sought for GMCA & AGMA positions and on outside bodies for which GMCA/AGMA makes appointments.

For details of the membership  visit:

• GMCA
• AGMA  

Scrutiny Pool

The GMCA / AGMA Scrutiny Pool began its new municipal year with 15 new members and newly appointed co-chairs, Cllr Tim Pickstone and Cllr John O’Brien.  The Pool met in June to plan their work programme for the forthcoming year, members highlighted specific areas of interest for future scrutiny reviews, including Climate Change and Regeneration. 

Further details of the Pool and their work programme can be found at:

www.agma.gov.uk/scrutiny/index.html

Manchester Monitor

New Economy releases each month ‘The Manchester Monitor’ which is a dashboard of GM specific data and indicators designed to provide a monthly analytical snapshot of the economic wellbeing of the city region.

 Click here for June’s release

Natural Environment White Paper – Local Authority Trailblazers

In partnership with Defra, GM authorities are exploring “Total Environment” through GM’s Environment Commission and expect the initiative to provide an opportunity to work in partnership to deliver more effective services around the natural environment at lower cost.

For further details visit:

http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/natural/whitepaper/

GM Climate Change Strategy

In October 2010 the Commission approved a proposal to develop a Greater Manchester Climate Change Strategy. Taking the lead from the GM Strategy’s headline commitment to developing a low carbon economy through the creation of a common framework and integrated approach to tackling climate change.

For more information on the GM Climate Change Strategy visit:

http://www.agma.gov.uk/cms_media/files/5_climate_change_strategy.pdf

Changing Landscape

During recent months the Department of Health launched a consultation programme to pause and listen to concerns about the proposed NHS reforms. During this time the Health Commission met informally to discuss the Commission's own future role.

The GM Health Commission and AGMA Executive Board have previously given a mandate for the Health Commission to reconstitute itself as a GM Health & Wellbeing Board.

 For a further update visit:

http://www.agma.gov.uk/commissions1/health_commission/health-update/june-2011/index.html

GM Alcohol Survey

A new health survey, commissioned by the GM Health Commission, has outlined more accurate figures on how many people drink alcohol in Greater Manchester.

Working with researchers at the Centre for Public Health at John Moore’s University in Liverpool, a survey of alcohol consumption in Greater Manchester was undertaken.

For further details on the survey visit:

http://www.cph.org.uk/showPublication.aspx?pubid=726

NWIEP Funded Salt Barn

The Commission has overseen the management of the North West Improvement & Efficiency Partnership (NWIEP) funding.  Part of this fund has supported the building of a Salt Barn at Carrington, Trafford, capable of holding approximately 4500 tonnes of salt.  This is an important addition to GM’s winter maintenance planning and means for next winter maximum salt levels can be stored in the Trafford area. 

Data GM

DataGM has been created by public sector organisations in Greater Manchester, to release and bring together, as much of the data they hold as possible. DataGM is coordinated by Trafford Council, in partnership with FutureEverything, which seeks out and shares new art forms and technologies in creative ways.

For further information visit:

http://datagm.org.uk/

Community Budget

The Community Budget Pilot programme officially started April 1^st with a range of ‘pipeline’ projects in place.  GM authorities and a range of partners are at the cutting edge of public sector reform. 

Click here for more information on the Community Budget pilot.



Click here for further details on the Improvement & Efficiency Commission and programme. 

Greater Manchester Local Investment Agreement (LIA2)

The second Greater Manchester Local Investment Agreement (LIA2) between AGMA and the Homes and Communities Agency (AGMA) has been formally agreed, and signed by Lord Peter Smith, and Deborah McLaughlin of the HCA.     

Actions based on evidence

The GMAC team (Greater Manchester Against Crime) have compiled a new appraisal of the long-term crime and disorder issues facing Greater Manchester.  The Assessment was developed in consultation with a broad panel of experts working in the local Community Safety Partnerships, ensuring that local workplans and the PPC's priorities are also strongly linked in 2011/12.

For more information contact the commission’s Policy and Programme Manager on d.ottiwell@agma.gov.uk.

Pledge for victims of domestic abuse

As part of the government’s recently-launched action plan for tackling violence against women and girls, the Home Office has announced that local areas will undertake reviews following any case where someone has been killed by their current or former partner. Greater Manchester agencies are working together to see how they can pool resources and expertise to coordinate effective reviews that will prevent domestic violence homicide in the future and improve services.

Staying safe over the summer holidays

Latest results from the British Crime Survey show that Greater Manchester residents’ perceptions of antisocial behaviour (ASB) locally continue to improve. Greater Manchester authorities and partners are working hard to improve perceptions further and are currently making plans to coordinate a seasonal campaign to tackle antisocial behaviour over the summer.


Click here for further information on the Public Protection Commission.