Commitment to equality and inclusion

OMBC leader Cllr Jean Stretton

OLDHAM Council Leader Jean Stretton has been appointed as the lead for Equality, Fairness and Inclusion in the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA).

Councillor Stretton will be responsible for ensuring that Greater Manchester's ambitious plans for the future are set to improve life for everyone, regardless of characteristics such as age, gender, or race, following her appointment by Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham.

Councillor Stretton said: "The Combined Authority's plans around key topics such as housing, employment and education, must factor in the needs of everyone who lives here.

"Regardless of how old someone is, where they live, or the colour of their skin, Greater Manchester must become a place where everyone receives the same opportunities; where everyone can find a job, be healthy, and put a roof over their heads."

The move comes as Mr Burnham delivered on his manifesto promise of a gender-balanced Combined Authority and, during the first GMCA meeting to be chaired by him, it was agreed that for all future meetings both men and women would be represented from across the 10 local boroughs that make up Greater Manchester.

Mr Burnham said: "If we are to make Greater Manchester a world-leading city region, we need men and women involved in decision-making.

"It's vital that our plans for Greater Manchester benefit everyone, not just the few. Jean will be playing a key role to ensure that Greater Manchester is a fair and inclusive city region; a place where everyone can get on in life, healthy and happy.

"Ageing in particular is an area we need to address. We will pioneer a new positive vision of ageing that sees people living longer, being given access to training and skills, and valued for the contribution they can make. I want Greater Manchester to become the first age-friendly city region in the UK."

As an employer and service provider, Greater Manchester Combined Authority, like other agencies, has to comply with the Equality Act 2010 and fulfil statutory duties with regards to equality and inclusion.

However the Combined Authority states it has bigger ambitions, with many of the aspirations set out in the Greater Manchester Strategy and the Mayor's manifesto looking to improve outcomes for all.

The requirements for gender-balance have been cemented in Greater Manchester Combined Authority's constitution, approved at Friday's Combined Authority meeting.

Portfolio leaders have been asked to nominate assistant leads of a different gender to ensure balanced representation in meetings and around decision-making. Committees, panels and boards that advise the Mayor will also be gender-balanced where possible.