Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Authority

(Left to right) Councillor Jack Walton, Chairman Councillor Paul Shannon, County Fire Officer Barry Dixon, Councillor James Pearson

What is Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Authority?
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Authority is an independent body made up of 30 elected councillors from the districts of Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford and Wigan. It is responsible for agreeing strategic policies and priorities, and overseeing and monitoring the Fire and Rescue Service's operations, performance and finances.

How does it work?
The Authority has five committees which meet regularly:

• Personnel Committee
• Finance and General Purposes Committee
• Policy Committee
• Standards Committee
• Audit Committee

There are also a number of sub-committees and other groups. Most meetings are by law open to the press and public, although they can be excluded by special resolution if confidential information is likely to be discussed. The meetings are held at Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service Headquarters in Swinton.

Who are the members of the Authority?
The Authority consists of 30 members, all of whom are councillors appointed by Greater Manchester's 10 district councils. On Thursday 26th June 2008 the Annual General Meeting of the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Authority appointed Liberal Democrat Councillor Paul Shannon of Manchester City Council, as the new leader of the Authority with Councillor James Pearson as Vice Chairman and Councillor Jack Walton as Deputy Chairman. The Authority appoints its own Chair and Vice-Chair annually.

The Authority makes a number of appointments to outside bodies, principally the Local Government Association (LGA), and it appoints eight members to the North West Fire and Rescue Management Board.

Under the terms of a service level agreement between the Authority and Wigan Council, Joyce Redfearn, Chief Executive of Wigan, is the Clerk to the Authority, and David Smith, Wigan's Director of Finance and IT is the Authority's Treasurer. These officers are responsible for the provision of legal/democratic and financial services.

Members of the Authority (PDF)

When was the Authority established?
Until April 1986, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service was part of Greater Manchester Council. However, when the Local Government Act 1985 came into force, the metropolitan county council was abolished and Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Authority was established and took over the statutory responsibility for the Fire and Rescue Service.