10:12pm Wednesday 17th March 2010
BOLTON will be part of the historic Greater Manchester city region after councillors tonight voted in favour of the proposals.
It was a debate which split members, with Labour councillors voting in favour of the borough becoming part of the new Greater Manchester combined authority, which will be given devolved powers by the Government - although it is not yet clear what those powers will be.
It is envisaged that the new body, made up of the 10 Greater Manchester authorities, will have an increased say in the governing of the region.
It will replace the existing Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (AGMA).
The Conservative group, whose leader Cllr John Walsh tabled an amendment calling for a public consultation on the issue, voted against the plans.
Lib Dem leader Cllr Roger Hayes had revealed last week that his party - like the Tories - would be given a free vote and while he and four other members of his party voted in favour of joining the new authority, four of his group voted against.
Cllr Walsh's motion was defeated.
There had been concerns from Cllrs Walsh and Hayes over a number of issues, including the name of the new authority, a lack of an opt-out clause and the voting policy when it came to major decisions.
But Labour council leader Cllr Ciff Morris had sought compromises from the other Greater Manchester leaders and said his success in doing so showed the level of influence Bolton had in the arrangement.
A meeting of the council's Executive following the meeting and the decision was ratified.
Speaking after the meeting, Cllr Morris said "I am pleased that this will benefit the people of Bolton and help secure the economic future of the town."
A defiant Cllr Walsh said he was "disappointed" that there had not been a public consultation.
He added: "There were members in the chamber who didn't fully understand the proposals so what chance have the public got?"
If the city region plan gets the support of the other nine Greater Manchester authorities, a proposal will be sent to the Government for the final decision.
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