July 2026
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This conference focused on next steps for regional autonomy and partnership working in Greater Manchester. Areas for discussion included implementation of new devolved powers, approaches to fiscal flexibility and strategic governance, and priorities for co-ordinating investment, transport, skills and public service delivery across the city region in the context of the forthcoming mayoral by-election.
With the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026 now in force, and implementation of the Government’s new devolution framework beginning across England, the conference brought together stakeholders and policymakers to discuss implications for Greater Manchester as responsibilities expand in areas such as skills and employment support, emerging fiscal powers through a proposed Overnight Visitor Levy Bill, and approaches to using greater discretion over how central government funding is deployed.
Practicalities for implementing measures within the Act were discussed, including the commitment to establish a Local Audit Office public body, Community Right to Buy powers, and the introduction of a formal process allowing Established Mayoral Strategic Authorities to request additional devolved powers.
With a forthcoming change in Prime Minister, delegates considered implications for future devolution funding, including at the 2026 Autumn Budget, sessions will assess priorities for further financial autonomy, including approaches to local revenue retention, accountability, long-term funding certainty and practical flexibility for delivery, drawing on issues and priorities emerging through the House of Lords Economic Affairs Committee inquiry into fiscal devolution in England.
The conference also considered priorities for the mayoralty in delivering the Greater Manchester Strategy 2025-35, including strategic governance and management of expanded responsibilities, alongside effective use of funding certainty for planning and delivery, and putting in place the institutional capacity required to support implementation and sustain growth across the city region.
Investment, research, innovation & productivity
With the expansion of the Greater Manchester Good Growth Fund to £2bn, sessions explored priorities for translating investment into regeneration, private sector growth and longer-term productivity across the region, including through collaboration with bodies such as the National Wealth Fund. Discussion also considered approaches to deploying the fund to maximise commercial, community, innovation and employment benefits.
Delegates also considered how the fund and wider financing initiatives can best be used to strengthen the region’s innovation ecosystem, including support for life sciences and digital sectors. Approaches to improving routes from research to commercialisation were discussed, including the role of Industrial Strategy Zones, spin‑outs and entrepreneurial firms in enhancing the city region’s global attractiveness to talent, investors and growing enterprises.
Transport integration & regional connectivity
The way forward for further integrating local rail services into the Bee Network was discussed, including priorities for improving regional connectivity, service reliability, and affordability. Discussion assessed the role of bus franchising in supporting co-ordination across transport modes, alongside approaches to aligning services with the needs of areas across the region, and strategic considerations for how transport reform can support wider economic development across Greater Manchester.
Next steps for major transport developments including Northern Powerhouse Rail were also considered, alongside priorities for effective capital deployment into improving road networks and developing active travel options, looking at strategy for practical delivery moving forward.
Neighbourhood health, skills & public service delivery
Further discussion focused on ongoing strategies and reform to health services through neighbourhood‑based delivery models, drawing on early experience of the rollout of the Live Well programme and the emerging national direction set out in the Neighbourhood Health Framework.
Attendees assessed approaches to collaboration between local government, the NHS and voluntary sector partners, alongside the capacity and governance arrangements needed to support delivery at scale and implement effective accountability mechanisms. Areas for discussion included how the new duty for public bodies to work together to prevent homelessness will function in practice, as well as priorities for commissioning and scheme design to support effective civil society engagement. This included consideration of how principles in the renewed Greater Manchester VCFSE Accord can be reflected in commissioning and partnership working.
The agenda also examined priorities for strengthening alignment between skills provision and labour market demand, including initiatives to develop clearer pathways into regionally targeted roles and high-potential industries. Discussion considered implications of the Greater Manchester Baccalaureate, the second cycle of the Local Skills Improvement Plan, and the potential scope for devolved adult skills funding.
Further discussion assessed approaches to addressing challenges around productivity, rising NEET rates, skills shortages and attainment, alongside how partnerships with national bodies such as Skills England may operate in practice to support workforce development and longer-term employment outcomes.
Planning, land use, housing, connectivity & regeneration
With reform to the planning and delivery of place‑based growth and regeneration across Greater Manchester under way, further areas for discussion included strategic connectivity, regeneration priorities and key delivery mechanisms. The agenda considered the operation of the Places for Everyone plan as the statutory spatial framework guiding housing, employment, land and infrastructure decisions, alongside practicalities for ensuring targeted funding and community engagement in major developments, as well as how strategic and local authority collaboration can be effectively delivered to reduce sector uncertainty and unnecessary administrative burden.
Further sessions explored the use of Mayoral Development Corporations to accelerate delivery, unlock complex sites and support major regeneration, and assess how new planning, land assembly and infrastructure powers introduced through the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 can support certainty, pace and long‑term placemaking across the city region.
As well as key stakeholders, those attending included officials from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government; Department for Business and Trade; Department for Education; Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Department for Energy Security and Net Zero; Department of Health and Social Care; Department for Science, Innovation and Technology; Department for Transport; Government Legal Department; Competition and Markets Authority; National Wealth Fund; Ofcom; and Active Travel England.
