Chief Executive of Manchester City Council, Sir Howard Bernstein, has welcomed the announcement by Planning Minister Greg Clarke about the City Deal for Greater Manchester, and, together with the Budget called it a “game changer” for the city.
The new City Deal measures include ‘earn back’, a principle where the government has agreed in principle that capital invested in infrastructure improvements in Greater Manchester will be ‘paid back’ from additional taxes that result as real economic growth is seen.
The money will be used to establish a low carbon hub, and, with Department of Energy and Climate Change assistance, to develop a plan to reduce emissions.
With financial support from the precursor to the Green Investment Bank, UK Green Investments, and Greater Manchester, it will establish and fund a 50/50 joint venture company, called Greater Manchester Green Developments Ltd to develop a portfolio of investment propositions such as retrofit housing, retrofit public buildings and heat networks.
Todd Holden, director of Low-Carbon Policy and Programmes at the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, stated that there will now be a drive to make all homes and businesses in Manchester lower their environmental impact.
Of fundamental importance to this will be the role of Enworks, an organisation offering practical advice, awareness-raising activities, tailored on-site support, and training to businesses, all geared towards creating sustainable cultural change throughout the entire business workforce.
Source: www.manchester.gov.uk
