A bold new vision to make Greater Manchester one of the best places in the world to grow up, get on and grow old has been unveiled today.
Pledges that all children will start school ready to learn, that young people are equipped for life, that good quality housing is provided as well as an end to rough sleeping and a pioneering
positive vision for growing older have all been revealed.
Our People, Our Place’, the new Greater Manchester Strategy is a long term blueprint for the future of the 2.8m people who make up our region.
The plan looks at ten priority areas which affect all Greater Manchester residents and details how life will be improved for all who live in the city-region, from being ready for school, to starting work and growing old, as well as everything else in between.
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham said: “My vision for Greater Manchester is a region where no person or place is left behind. This strategy has been created to make sure that everybody in Greater Manchester has access to the best opportunities growing up, getting on and growing older.”
Air quality, a curriculum for life, world-class transport systems, good jobs and opportunities, a thriving economy, safe and affordable housing, high quality culture and leisure, and safe and strong communities are all planned out in detail in the strategy.
A key focus of the brand new strategy are the city-region’s children, with ambitious plans in place to make sure every child starts school ready to learn, improve parent support services and prioritise good air quality around schools and pre-schools.
The strategy has been designed to ensure everyone in Greater Manchester has opportunities to progress and get on, with a particular focus given to the ongoing work to eradicate rough sleeping and tackle the causes of homelessness.
Andy added: “It’s an ambitious plan but it is one that, with the help of everyone across Greater Manchester, we are determined to achieve. Through devolution, we have the best chance we will ever get to do things differently and write our own future. It is time to grab it with both hands. The people of Greater Manchester are our best asset and I want to involve them in new ways to make this strategy a reality. Greater Manchester is already the best place in the UK to live – we want to make it one of the best places in the world.”
So Stockport will get the trams we’ve already paid for, yes?…..no