BURY residents will vote for a directly elected Mayor of Greater Manchester in 2017, under groundbreaking devolution plans announced by Chancellor George Osborne.

The leaders of the 10 Greater Manchester authorities, including Bury council leader Mike Connolly, signed a deal with the Government on Monday designed to make the region the heart of a new ‘Northern Powerhouse’.

The new Mayor will oversee the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, a body made up of the leader of the region’s 10 local authorities which sets the strategy for transport and some economic development and regeneration.

Under this, the newly-created Mayor will have a transport budget and be responsible for franchised bus services — including the introduction of an Oyster card-style ticketing system — and devolved planning freedom to guide developments across the region.

The new Mayor will also have control of a new Housing Investment fund, worth up to £300m, which will deliver an additional 15,000 homes over a 10-year period, and oversee public service reform to integrate health and social care to reduce pressure on hospital accident and emergency departments.

The existing Police and Crime Commissioner’s role, held by Tony Lloyd, will be merged with the Greater Manchester Mayor’s role.

Leaders insisted the move would not mean a reduction in power for local authorities like Bury, with more power coming from central government instead of being taken away from councils.

At the launch in Manchester Town Hall, Mr Osborne described the announcement as a “massive moment” for the north of England.

He said: “After several months of private discussions with local representatives from all three parties, I have reached an agreement with the civic leaders of Greater Manchester to create the first metro-wide elected mayor outside of London."