Greater Manchester

Greater Manchester is a metropolitan county in England established in 1974 which covers an area roughly encompassing the conurbation of Manchester. It is situated in North West England.

Local government

Greater Manchester is divided into ten metropolitan boroughs, these are, Bolton, Bury, City of Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, City of Salford, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford and Wigan.

Related Topics:
Metropolitan borough - Bolton - Bury - City of Manchester - Oldham - Rochdale - City of Salford - Stockport - Tameside - Trafford - Wigan

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

For the first twelve years after the county was created in 1974, the county had a two-tier system of local government, and the boroughs shared power with the Greater Manchester County Council.

Related Topics:
1974 - Local government - Greater Manchester County Council

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

However in 1986, along with five other metropolitan county councils and the Greater London Council, the Greater Manchester County Council was abolished, and most of its powers were devolved to the boroughs, which became effective unitary authorities.

Related Topics:
1986 - Metropolitan county - Greater London Council - Unitary authorities

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Despite the abolition of the county council, the boroughs jointly administer some services on a county-wide basis. Including:

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

• The Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive, (GMPTE) which is responsible for planning and co-ordinating public transport across the county.
• The Greater Manchester Police, who are overseen by a joint Police authority.
• The Greater Manchester County Fire Service, who are administered by a joint "Fire and Civil Defence Authority".

These are administered by joint-boards which are made up of councillors appointed from each of the ten boroughs.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The boroughs jointly own the Manchester Airport Group which controls Manchester International Airport and several other UK airports. Other services are directly funded and managed by the local councils.

Related Topics:
Manchester Airport Group - Manchester International Airport

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Greater Manchester is still a Ceremonial County with a Lord-Lieutenant. And is still recognised for statistical purposes.

Related Topics:
Ceremonial County - Lord-Lieutenant - Statistic

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~