No vehicles should be charged in the new Clean Air Zone (CAZ), Greater Manchester leaders have agreed, as the scheme remains under review.
11.02.2022 - 20:43 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Greater Manchester residents will face a 7.1 pc increase in part of their council tax bill from April as leaders approve spending plans for the next financial year.
Andy Burnham's request to raise council tax for his budget has been approved.
The increase of £12 for Band D properties is made up of £5 for fire services and £7 for the general budget to cover bus reform and homeless shelters.
READ MORE: Council tax hike of £22 to pay for police, buses and fire service
It comes after the police precept part of the bill was also raised by £10 for Band D households following protests by members of the public last week.
The Greater Manchester mayor told council leaders on Friday (February 11) that he is 'extremely conscious' of the cost of living pressures residents face, claiming he had been 'careful' not to increase tax too much in recent years.
But Burnham said there is an 'exceptional case' for the council tax hike now.
He explained that the extra funding would allow the fire service to maintain 50 pumps across all of its stations with four to five firefighters staffing each one.
The additional revenue is also needed to fund a pay rise for firefighters which recognises they may be required to respond to a marauding terrorist attack.
It comes after the fire service in Greater Manchester was criticised by inspectors for lacking the capability to deal with a marauding terror attack – but the watchdog warned not to increase firefighter's pay for this reason.
Another 'exceptional pressure' on the budget next year will be the cost of bringing buses back under public control, Burnham told council leaders.
The Labour mayor said there are still 'significant uncertainties' for buses as operators await a government decision on
No vehicles should be charged in the new Clean Air Zone (CAZ), Greater Manchester leaders have agreed, as the scheme remains under review.
Boris Johnson has branded Greater Manchester's original Clean Air Zone (CAZ) proposal a "thoughtless" plan that would have "damaged business".
Manchester is to suspend a 'friendship agreement' with St Petersburg following the Russian invasion of Ukraine it has been confirmed.
Andy Burham has slammed 'frankly disgraceful' claims made about his wife in a lengthy and detailed 'personal' statement issued regarding Clean Air Zone plans.
The towns in Greater Manchester have always held a fierce pride in their own sense of identity and community.
Andy Burnham faced a furious crowd as he was asked about the Greater Manchester Clean Air Zone at a Mayor's Question Time event this week.
Lisa Nandy has slammed the government's levelling up strategy, likening it to a feudal system in which the north has to go 'cap in hand to a group of masters' in Westminster 'who determine what happens in our own lives and our community'.
Johnny Marr says that The Smiths “never fell out over politics,” but that they “probably would now.”Marr and songwriting partner Morrissey have had a number of high-profile beefs in the press since the band split up in the late 1980s, with Morrissey most recently asking Marr to stop mentioning him when giving interviews.In a new interview with The Guardian, Marr was posed questions by fans and celebrities about The Smiths, his solo work and beyond.In the interview, Marr was asked by Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham: “Did the Smiths ever fall out over football or politics?”Marr replied: “We never discussed football so that’s that. And we never fell out over politics, but we probably would now.”A subsequent question from a fan then said: “Morrissey’s recent political views have cast a shadow over the Smiths for me – reaching back into the past and tainting something that was very important to me. I’m so disappointed in him.
The killings of 16-year-old Kennie Carter, 17-year-old Alan Szelugowski, and 20-year-old Dylan Keelan, over the last three consecutive weekends has shocked the Greater Manchester community.
The introduction of Greater Manchester's Clean Air Zone is being delayed, the government has announced.
The introduction of Greater Manchester's Clean Air Zone is being delayed until July, the government has announced.
The Clean Air Zone for Greater Manchester has been delayed until July after facing heavy criticism, and we want to hear your thoughts on the developing situation.
Boris Johnson says he wants to see plans for Greater Manchester's Clean Air Zone put on hold to avoid 'stuffing up businesses'.
Nearly 150 taxis across Manchester and Salford staged a two-pronged protest against the introduction of Clean Air Zone (CAZ) charges today (Febuary 3).
Household energy bills are set to rocket this year with the energy price cap set to rise by 54% in April.
The mayor of Greater Manchester has vowed that Clean Air Zone charging will come to an end as soon as air quality reaches the required level.
When asked about the government’s ‘levelling up’ plan in Ashton town centre, a blank look falls over most shoppers’ faces.
Andy Burnham has been accused of 'ignoring' the public as he defended a full council tax increase for police which fewer than one in four people supported.
Boris Johnson today said that Greater Manchester's Clean Air Zone plan is 'completely unworkable'.
Wigan MP Lisa Nandy has blasted the government's plan to 'level up' the country, saying it "does nothing" to address the issues faced by northern towns and cities.