Andy Burnham gets millions in budget... but local councils are in limbo

Big news for Greater Manchester was announced in the budget this week. For the first time, mayor Andy Burnham will be able to spend money according to his own priorities with a single pot of funding to be agreed over several years.

The new devolution deal - described the 'deepest' yet - also give local leaders more powers over transport, housing and technical education. But the biggest change is the financial certainty and flexibility that the 'trailblazer' deal offers.

The move means that the city-region will be treated like a government-style department with more financial freedom than the current arrangements allow. "We'll be able to do more of what we want to do," Mr Burnham explained, "rather than dance to the tune of the individual government departments who are often putting lots of conditions on the funding pots that they give out."

READ MORE: The groundbreaking deal that will change Greater Manchester forever

Councils of all colours across Greater Manchester have welcomed the new deal. However, their own finances have hardly been affected by this budget.

One-off funding was awarded for projects across the city-region including several schemes which failed to win Levelling Up money earlier this year. Meanwhile, local authorities are set to benefit from extra cash to cover rising costs for swimming pools as well as a £200m increase to the pothole fund.

The Chancellor also announced that places like Greater Manchester can keep more of the business rates councils collect, extending existing arrangements. This 'long-term commitment' to continue the 100 pc business rates retention scheme which was trialled, gives local authorities more financial certainty.

Nevertheless, day-to-day spending for councils continues to