Bev Craig is the new Mayor of Greater Manchester.
Votes for the Greater Manchester Combined Authority Mayoral Election were counted across the city region’s ten districts on July 31, with the result announced at the Co-op Live Arena.
Bev was elected after securing 309,525 first and second preference votes.
The total number of verified ballot papers was 538,659 – a turnout of 25.14%.
The Mayor of Greater Manchester leads Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), bringing together the leaders of ten councils to improve life for people across the city region.
They also oversee a wide range of policy areas that affect people’s everyday lives, including transport, where the Mayor is responsible for how money is spent on new infrastructure, such as tram lines or roads, and planning and housing.
The Mayor also sets the budget and priorities for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) and serves as the Police and Crime Commissioner for Greater Manchester Police (GMP), with the power to appoint the Chief Constable, set the policing budget, and hold GMP to account on behalf of the public.
In addition, as part of the largest package of financial powers ever offered to English mayors, the prime minister has now announced they will receive a share of income tax revenues for the first time, giving communities greater control over the decisions that shape jobs, transport, housing and public services in their area.
Adam Price, CEO of Select Property, a developer of residential schemes in Manchester, said: “Devolution has played an important role in Manchester’s success in recent years, particularly in helping to create the conditions for property market investment. The mayor has enjoyed enhanced powers and the existence of the combined authority alongside the city council has meant that the benefits of major housing and regeneration schemes are felt beyond the city centre.
“As investors in regional cities ourselves we welcome the move by a prime minister and former mayor to further empower the regions. There are, of course, no shortage of places that extra cash for devolved regions could go. But while housing and commercial property help to power economies, social infrastructure like schools, hospitals, GP surgeries and public spaces are just as important to creating thriving places.”
“When we speak to those outside the UK looking to invest here, they see the faster decision-making and increased funding at a local level that devolution offers as net positive and more likely to sway them as they consider where to deploy their capital.”
Tim Heatley, co-founder of Capital&Centric and chair of the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity said: “I’ve really enjoyed working with Bev over the years, both through our work as a social impact developer and investor in Manchester city centre, and in my role as Chair of the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity. She’s always been generous with her guidance, encouragement and support, particularly around Embassy Village and our shared ambition to tackle homelessness.
“Bev knows Manchester, understands Greater Manchester and, most importantly, cares deeply about its people and places. I’m really looking forward to working even more closely with her as Mayor, particularly on homelessness and affordable housing.
“I’m excited to have Bev’s energy, ideas and enthusiasm around the table as we strengthen the homelessness ecosystem across Greater Manchester, and work with Number 10 to support the new national programme to end homelessness.”
