New Local Investment Plan for Greater Manchester

Monday 14th March 2011

A fresh approach to generating investment in housing and regeneration in Greater Manchester is outlined in a new Local Investment Plan agreed by the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (AGMA) and the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA).

Since the first Greater Manchester Local Investment Plan was agreed in December 2009, the political and economic landscape has changed considerably, leading to new challenges to be overcome – not least significantly reducing public sector resources.  AGMA and the HCA remain committed to developing their partnership and tackling these challenges to ensure that the progress made in recent years continues.

This second Local Investment Plan (LIP2) sets a new course, intended as a prospectus making the case for public and private investment in Greater Manchester housing and regeneration. The Plan is designed to help partners achieve more for less by;                                                                                                           

  • Encouraging the development of new models of investment in housing and regeneration
  • Agreeing priorities across Greater Manchester so that focused investment can go further in delivering what local people need most
  • Achieving greater autonomy for AGMA to sign off on its investment priorities.

David Chilton, head of area for Greater Manchester at the HCA, said: “I am pleased that we have been able to agree this important plan with our partners in Greater Manchester.  Following the pioneering success of the first Greater Manchester LIP, it is important that we continue to work hand in hand with our local authority partners to help develop their plans for homes and places. Through this plan, we will now be able to give valuable, targeted support to bring forward new homes that will play a vital role in helping Greater Manchester meet its economic growth ambitions.”

Lord Peter Smith, Chair of AGMA, said: “Despite the squeeze on public resources, Greater Manchester needs to continue to work towards long-term economic prosperity, and the provision of new homes is essential to achieving that shared vision.  Our second LIP explores new and innovative ways of attracting both public and private investment, and outlines the great challenges and opportunities we face within the current economic landscape.  AGMA will continue to work closely with HCA, housing associations, developers and our other partners to maximise resources to provide much-needed homes for our residents.”

Greater Manchester’s first Local Investment Plan, and the resulting Local Investment Agreement between AGMA and the HCA signed in December 2009, were important milestones in recognising the success of many years of cross-boundary collaboration between the 10 Greater Manchester Authorities.  Since then, the HCA and AGMA have been able to secure investment totalling £35.5million, which will deliver 843 homes in Greater Manchester.

The next Local Investment Agreement is now in preparation and will continue the forward momentum generated by the successful working relationship between AGMA and the HCA, setting out in more detail our respective roles in creating quality places for Greater Manchester’s residents and supporting economic growth and prosperity. This will take account of the HCA’s evolving role, as well as the opportunities offered by the developing Greater Manchester Local Enterprise Partnership, and Combined Authority, both to be fully in place from April 2011. 

To view the Local Investment Plan and Executive Summary see the related documents section of this page.

Ends 

For more media information, contact Lynn Caddy/Kathryn Hayden in the HCA North West office on 0161 200 6160/6161 or email communicationsmanager@hca.gsx.gov.uk

 Or contact Julia Youd, AGMA PHC Communications Manager at Rochdale Council on 01706 925725 or email julia.youd@rochdale.gov.uk

 

Notes to editors

The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) is the single, national housing and regeneration delivery agency for England.  Our vision is to create opportunity for people to live in homes they can afford in places they want to live, by enabling local authorities and communities to deliver the ambition they have for their own areas. 

The Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (AGMA) acts as the voice of the ten local authorities of Greater Manchester and works in partnership with a wide range of organisations - private, public and voluntary. The AGMA/HCA partnership aims to ensure that resources for housing in Greater Manchester are well co-ordinated and targeted where they are needed most and will have the greatest impact.

Government has agreed plans for the establishment of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (CA), to work more effectively on significant issues including transport, regeneration and economic development.  The CA will complement the new Greater Manchester Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) which is designed to support and grow the private sector, both bodies will work closely to ensure a coordinated approach is delivered in the ten local authorities that make up the Manchester City Region, and will take effect from 1 April 2011.