Tony Lloyd to be appointed Interim Mayor of Greater Manchester

Tony Lloyd, Greater Manchester’s Police and Crime Commissioner & Interim Mayor of Greater Manchester

Tony Lloyd will be officially appointed Interim Mayor of Greater Manchester this Friday, 26 June.

The appointment marks the latest milestone in the devolution of powers from Whitehall to Greater Manchester, with local people being given direct control over the region's destiny and the power to shape its future.

Mr Lloyd said: "For too long people in Greater Manchester have felt disengaged from politics and politicians. Politics is often seen as something that happens down in London with no relevance to us here. The devolution agenda changes all that. Real power is being repatriated from Whitehall to the streets of Greater Manchester. That gives everyone a stake.

"There has been criticism of this process that, so far, decisions have been taken behind closed doors and the public has been largely excluded. I understand those criticisms, which is why I want to assure the people of Greater Manchester that they must and will be involved. We are on the brink of change that is real and will be lasting. It is vital the public takes centre stage and is part of the debate.

"As Mayor of Greater Manchester I also want you to know that I will be a loud and clear voice for you. Greater Manchester is blazing a trail that others across the country will follow. Working alongside the 10 local authority leaders, I will seize every opportunity to deliver the best possible deal for Greater Manchester."

Mr Lloyd will be appointed at the meeting of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) which is taking place in Oldham on Friday.

In his new role, which will also see him chair GMCA, Tony will work with the other GMCA members to oversee the effective delivery of the Greater Manchester Strategy. The strategy sets out a vision of Greater Manchester as a place with buoyant economic growth and opportunities for job creation. It also seeks to cultivate an environment where public services work more closely with each other and key stakeholders such as the business and voluntary sectors to support greater opportunities, improved health and better neighbourhoods.

The position paves the way for the directly-elected mayor who will be chosen by the people of Greater Manchester in 2017. At that point new powers in relation to transport, housing and planning will be granted to the Mayor, working alongside the GMCA cabinet.

Mr Lloyd will combine being Interim Mayor with his current role as Police and Crime Commissioner, which he was elected to in 2012. The roles will be formally combined in 2017 with the advent of the directly-elected mayor. Tony has said that he will only take one salary while performing both roles.