This week in Greater Manchester Combined Authority:

Top Job Vacancy: Interim Chief Executive Appointment to Ensure Stability

The Greater Manchester Combined Authority Resources Committee met on Friday 28 August 2026, with a critical item on the agenda: the appointment of an Interim Group Chief Executive Officer. This role is vital for maintaining leadership continuity across the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA)[^1], Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS)[^2], and Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM)[^3].

The report presented to the committee highlighted the need for a stable leadership presence during a period of organisational transition. The proposed interim appointee is the current Deputy Group Chief Executive, who possesses extensive strategic leadership experience and a deep understanding of the governance structures of these key organisations.

The appointment is crucial for ensuring the effective discharge of statutory responsibilities and maintaining momentum on regional priorities. The report indicated that no adverse equalities impacts were identified, and there were no direct carbon or sustainability implications associated with this interim appointment.

The committee was asked to endorse the rationale for the interim appointment and recommend to the GMCA that the Deputy Group Chief Executive be appointed to this critical role. This would also involve appointing them to statutory positions such as Head of Paid Service[^4], Combined Authority Returning Officer[^5], and Director General of Transport for Greater Manchester[^6].

The report also addressed remuneration, noting that the interim appointee would receive the same salary as the substantive Chief Executive role, which is £245,000. Alternatives considered, such as leaving the role vacant or immediately seeking a permanent appointment, were deemed to carry greater risks to continuity and strategic leadership.

The committee was also tasked with setting out timescales and the recruitment process for a permanent Group Chief Executive. This decision is important for the long-term strategic direction and operational effectiveness of the GMCA and its associated services, impacting millions of residents across Greater Manchester.

You can find more details about these discussions here: Greater Manchester Combined Authority Resources Committee.

This week in Greater Manchester Combined Authority:

Health Scrutiny Tackles Maternity Care and Data Use Amidst Ongoing Service Reconfigurations

The Greater Manchester Joint Health Scrutiny Committee met on Tuesday 11 August 2026, addressing critical issues impacting residents' health and wellbeing. A significant focus was placed on the state of maternity, neonatal, and early years services, alongside an update on the use of health and care data across the region. The committee also heard from the voluntary, community, faith, and social enterprise (VCFSE) sector on health inequalities and reviewed ongoing service reconfigurations.

Improving Maternity and Early Years Services: Progress and Persistent Challenges

The committee received a detailed briefing on maternity, neonatal, and early years services. While progress has been made in areas like reducing stillbirth rates and improving midwifery staffing, the report highlighted persistent challenges. These include higher-than-historic maternal mortality rates, below-average breastfeeding rates, and ongoing inequalities that disproportionately affect vulnerable groups.

Transformation efforts are underway, aiming to bring care closer to communities through neighbourhood models and Family Hubs, with a strong emphasis on prevention and early intervention. A new Maternity Health Inequalities Dashboard is planned to better identify and target areas of need. For early years services, the focus is on integrating systems, enhancing family support, and reducing pressures through community-led prevention. Future priorities include strengthening collaboration on perinatal mental health and integrating services into neighbourhoods.

Harnessing Health Data for Better Care

An update was provided on the use of health and care data across Greater Manchester. The GM Care Record, a digital resource consolidating health and care information for the region's 3 million residents, aims to improve direct care and clinical decision-making. Usage of the GM Care Record has significantly increased, contributing to projected productivity benefits. Discussions also touched upon the Electronic Palliative Care Coordination System (EPaCCS) for end-of-life care planning and the broader GM Data Ecosystem, including the Advanced Data Science Platform (ADSP) and the GM Intelligence Hub.

VCFSE Sector Voices on Health Inequalities

Kirit Patel, representing the VCFSE sector, shared crucial insights into health inequalities from the perspective of organisations working directly with disadvantaged communities. The report highlighted poverty, mental health, and access to services as significant challenges, with particular attention paid to the inequalities faced by deprived neighbourhoods, ethnic minority communities, disabled people, and refugees. The vital role of the VCFSE sector in prevention, early intervention, and community innovation was emphasised, alongside the ongoing challenges of funding sustainability for these essential organisations.

Navigating Service Reconfigurations

The committee reviewed the NHS Greater Manchester Monthly Service Reconfiguration Progress Report. This report detailed ongoing service reconfigurations, including a public consultation on consolidating specialised cardiac and arterial vascular surgery services at a single site. Updates were also provided on programmes for specialised services for babies and children, and a review of plastic surgery services. Engagement on Swanbourne Gardens in Stockport and the Tameside General Hospital H045 and Corridor Care initiative, which sought patient feedback on ambulance handover and A&E experiences, were also discussed.

Planning for the Year Ahead

Councillor Liz FitzGerald, Chair of the committee, presented the draft Work Programme for the 2026/27 Municipal Year. Members were asked to confirm items for the next meeting, which is expected to include an update on Adult Social Care and Care Quality Commission (CQC) assessments. Future topics under consideration include deep dives into adults' and children's mental health, and updates on cancer and women's health services.

You can find more details about these discussions here: Greater Manchester Joint Health Scrutiny Committee.

Police, Fire and Crime Panel Confirms Deputy Mayor and Reviews Fire Service Assurance

The Greater Manchester Police, Fire and Crime Panel met on Wednesday 12 August 2026 to discuss key appointments and operational reviews. The panel considered the appointment of a Deputy Mayor for Safer and Stronger Communities and reviewed the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service's (GMFRS) Annual Assurance Declaration for 2025-2026.

Deputy Mayor for Safer and Stronger Communities Appointment

The panel reviewed the proposed appointment of Kate Green as Deputy Mayor for Safer and Stronger Communities. This role is crucial for overseeing policing, fire and rescue, crime reduction, and criminal justice functions across Greater Manchester. The report detailed Ms. Green's extensive experience and qualifications for the position, which carries a salary of £98,786. The panel was asked to note the process and make a recommendation to the Mayor on whether the candidate should be appointed.

GMFRS Annual Assurance Declaration

The panel examined the GMFRS Annual Statement of Assurance for 2025-2026. This document, prepared in line with the Fire and Rescue National Framework for England, outlines GMFRS's governance, financial, and operational arrangements. It covers commitments to operational assurance, prevention and protection activities, financial oversight, and workforce development. The statement highlighted GMFRS's dedication to equality, diversity, and inclusion, as well as its wellbeing programmes and health and safety initiatives. The report noted that the Annual Statement of Assurance had been endorsed by the Service Leadership Team, the Deputy Mayor, and formally approved by Mayor Paul Dennett.

You can find more details about these discussions here: Greater Manchester Police, Fire and Crime Panel.

This week in Greater Manchester Combined Authority:

Clean Air Plan Progress: Committee Reviews June 2026 Update and Future Strategy

The Greater Manchester Air Quality Administration Committee met on Monday 3 August 2026 to discuss the ongoing Greater Manchester Clean Air Plan (GM CAP). The committee formally noted its membership and terms of reference for the upcoming year, and reviewed minutes from its previous meeting.

GM Clean Air Plan - June 2026 Update

The primary focus of the meeting was an update on the GM CAP as of June 2026. This report, presented by Councillor Eamonn O'Brien, GM Lead Member for Clean Air, summarised the progress of the investment-led, non-charging plan. Key areas of discussion included:

• Electrification of Bus Fleets: Progress on transitioning to cleaner bus services.
• Local Traffic Management Measures: Initiatives to reduce congestion and improve air quality.
• Hackney Carriage Support Fund: Support for taxi drivers to upgrade their vehicles.
• Removal of Clean Air Zone Signage: The ongoing process of removing signage related to the now-defunct Clean Air Zone.
• ANPR Camera Transfer: The transfer of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) camera responsibility to Greater Manchester Police.
• Air Quality Monitoring Data: Latest data showing trends in air quality across the region.
• Adaptive Planning Measures: Strategies to support compliance in 2026.
• Expenditure Update: A review of spending related to the plan.

The report noted that the Joint Air Quality Unit (JAQU), which previously managed the national NO₂ programme, has transitioned its responsibilities. However, Greater Manchester remains subject to legal direction and ongoing monitoring.

Monitoring data from 2025 indicated a continued reduction in nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) exceedances compared to previous years, with significant improvements since 2019. Despite this progress, a small number of locations were identified as requiring targeted intervention to support compliance in 2026. The report recommended delegating authority to the Group Chief Executive, GMCA, GMFRS and TfGM, in consultation with the Mayor and the GM Clean Air Lead, to approve the final submission of the Annual Monitoring Report and adaptive planning measures to the Government.

Financially, the report confirmed that the overall position remained within the approved central government funding envelope of £188.4 million. As of the end of March 2026, expenditure stood at £110.7 million.

GM Air Quality Administration Committee Terms of Reference and Membership

The committee also considered its own Terms of Reference, which outline its role in jointly discharging functions related to air quality under the Environment Act 1995 and the GM CAP. These terms are established by the ten Greater Manchester local authorities and the GMCA under section 101(5) of the Local Government Act 1972. The committee's membership consists of the lead executive member for clean air from each constituent authority and the relevant portfolio holder from the GMCA.

The committee also reviewed its membership for the 2026/2027 year, including representatives from Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, and Wigan, alongside Councillor Eamonn O'Brien representing the GMCA.

Minutes of the Previous Meeting

The committee reviewed the minutes of its previous meeting, held on 29 January 2026. Those minutes detailed updates on the GM Clean Air Plan, including progress on bus fleet electrification, local traffic measures, the distribution of hackney carriage support funds, and the outcome of a consultation regarding the transfer of Clean Air Zone ANPR cameras to Greater Manchester Police.

You can find more details about these discussions here: Greater Manchester Air Quality Administration Committee.

This week in Greater Manchester Combined Authority:

Audit Committee Reviews Information Governance and Fire Service Performance

The Greater Manchester Combined Authority Audit Committee met on Wednesday 22 July 2026. A key focus was the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) practice recommendation regarding the publication of Freedom of Information (FOI) performance statistics. The Authority had previously failed to publish these statistics, a requirement for organisations of its size. Compliance was achieved by 14th May 2026, with the ICO accepting the actions taken. The committee considered how to embed Information Governance assurances and annual reporting into its terms of reference, aiming to bolster transparency and accountability in how resident data is handled.

The committee also received an update on the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service's (GMFRS) HMICFRS inspection outcome report. GMFRS was rated 'Good' for understanding risk, 'Outstanding' for prevention, 'Adequate' for protection, and 'Good' for response. While promising practices were noted, areas for improvement were identified within the protection function, specifically concerning the follow-up of formal notices and the effectiveness of performance management.

Risk management was also a significant topic, with the committee reviewing the complex and pressured risk environment facing GMCA. Key risks identified include financial resilience, external shocks, cyber security, artificial intelligence, and contract resilience. New risks related to Artificial Intelligence and the Waste Emissions Trading Scheme were added, and risk scores were updated. Mitigation activities are focused on strengthening oversight and delivery of risk actions.

The committee reviewed several internal audit reports, including the Head of Internal Audit's annual opinion, which provided a Reasonable Assurance on GMCA's governance, risk management, and internal control framework. The Internal Audit Progress Report noted that the implementation of audit actions fell below the target, with capacity issues affecting timely delivery.

The draft Statement of Accounts for 2025/26 was presented, with the consolidated Group Accounts published later than usual due to delays in receiving financial information. Notably, the external auditors expected to issue a disclaimer of opinion on the accounts, not due to specific concerns about GMCA's financial management, but due to the wider local government audit backlog.

The committee also reviewed and approved updated Treasury Management Practices for 2026/27, noting compliance with legislative and regulatory requirements and robust investment returns. The Authority's ability to continue as a going concern for the purposes of preparing the 2025/26 Statement of Accounts was also assessed and confirmed.

You can find more details about these discussions here: Greater Manchester Combined Authority Audit Committee.

Waste and Recycling Committee Elects Leadership and Tackles Environmental Challenges

The Greater Manchester Waste & Recycling Committee met on Wednesday 22 July 2026. The committee nominated Councillor Alan Quinn as Chair and Councillor Stephen Adshead as Vice-Chair for the 2026/27 municipal year, with these nominations to be put forward for approval by the GMCA.

A significant discussion centred on the pressure on Household Waste and Recycling Centres (HWRCs) from use by residents outside the nine GMCA districts. A two-stage approach was approved to address this, starting with soft steps such as postcode checks and informing visitors about future ID requirements, with research into more technologically based systems to follow. The committee also requested that officers write to the government seeking enhancements to local authority powers regarding HWRCs and cross-border usage.

An early warning was given regarding the future requirement to manage per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in landfill leachate from GMCA's closed landfill sites. New discharge limits for PFAS are expected in April 2027, which could impact landfill operators and push the issue back to them. The committee noted the report and recognised the need to explore future options.

An update on contracts highlighted that the combined contract recycling rate was 46%, a slight decrease from the previous year. Contamination levels in kerbside collected recyclate were noted, with ongoing efforts to improve accuracy. Two further incidents reportable under RIDDOR 2013 were detailed, relating to Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

The committee received an update on communications campaigns and educational activities, including the 'Big Recycling Survey' which identified resident reliance on councils for information and confusion around certain recyclable items. 'GM Repair Week' was celebrated, and development of English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) resources was underway.

Concerns were raised about increased fly-tipping around the closed Reliance Street HWRC, and the committee requested officers review communications regarding the closure. Wider concerns about endemic fly-tipping were discussed, with a suggestion to lobby the government for changes to legislation to enhance local authority powers. The committee also requested clarity on responsibilities for clearing rubbish from the vicinity of Metrolink tram lines.

You can find more details about these discussions here: Greater Manchester Waste & Recycling Committee.