From Friday 27 November the monthly meetings of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) will be streamed live over the internet.
November’s meeting at Trafford’s Town Hall, where council leaders are due to discuss issues including empty homes and transport, will be the first live-streamed event. The meeting will begin at 11am.
Salford City Council joined other authorities in Greater Manchester when it introduced livestreaming in September 2014. Now the idea is being rolled out to higher-level governance meetings in an effort to involve local residents in the work and decisions carried out on their behalf.
The Combined Authority already publishes meeting agendas, minutes and reports on its website and now publishes copies of informal policy papers discussed by council leaders.
Tony Lloyd, Greater Manchester’s Interim Mayor, said: “Devolution to Greater Manchester’ has delivered additional powers and responsibilities to the city-region and, alongside this, greater calls for transparency and engagement from the public.
“We want to give local people every opportunity to learn more about the work of the combined authority and allow them to scrutinise the decisions we make.
“With meetings held during the day at locations across Greater Manchester we know it’s difficult for many to attend in person. We hope that by streaming proceedings on our website we’ll enable more people to become engaged in local decision-making from the comfort of their own homes.”
To watch live or to learn more about the work of the Combined Authority visit www.greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk
Main image: Trafford Town Hall
