Julie Connor: Head of GMIST Telephone No: 0161 234 3181 E-mail: j.connor@agma.gov.uk

Greater Manchester Integrated Support Team

Manchester Town Hall PO BOX 532

Manchester M60 2LA

29 April 2015 Dear Councillor, Re: Greater Manchester Interim Mayor – Councillor Engagement Sessions The process to recruit the Interim Mayor for Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) will include a series of engagement events comprising four councillor engagement sessions and a stakeholder panel discussion. The feedback from these events will contribute to the overall recruitment process and will assist the GMCA in making a decision on this important appointment. There will be four councillor scrutiny sessions to be held across Greater Manchester and I am writing to invite you to attend one of the following sessions:- Monday 11 May 5-7pm Council Chamber, Manchester Town Hall Wednesday 13 May 5-7pm Council Chamber, Civic Centre, Salford Friday 15 May 2.30-4.30pm Council Chamber, Bury Town Hall Monday 18 May 6-8pm 1864 Suite, Lancashire Cricket Club, Old

Trafford Any councillor from across the ten Greater Manchester local authorities may attend any of the sessions and attendees are asked to confirm which session they will be attending in writing. The sessions will not be open to the public however councillors are advised that it is intended that the sessions will be live streamed (where possible) to enable councillors who are not able to attend to hear the presentations and discussions and will also enable

the public at large the opportunity to hear the candidates. Format The engagement sessions will be chaired by the GMCA member of the host authority and there will be a short introduction by the Chair at the start of each session to provide an overview of the process, ground rules for the discussion, questions and recording feedback.

Each candidate will be given an opportunity to make a ten minute presentation outlining

their reasons for seeking appointment, their overall approach and ambitions for the role.

There will then be opportunity for questions from councillors in the audience to each

candidate individually (see below). This part of the process will be done on a separate

basis for each candidate. Following individual presentation by the candidate, if any

councillor wishes to ask additional questions, these should also be made in writing and will

be collated from tables at the session and submitted so that they can be ordered through

the Chair. The Chair will be responsible for the efficient management of the session. Questions GM Councillors are invited to submit questions in advance of the session which they are attending, or on the day of the session, for each candidate. Questions can be the same to both candidates or addressed to one candidate only. These questions should be made in writing and submitted to myself at the address given below. It is suggested that questions should relate to the role description and relevant topics, eg the Greater Manchester Strategy, Devolution, Growth and Reform and links to relevant documents are provided below. Exact timings will be subject to attendance numbers on the day but with an equal amount of time given for each shortlisted candidate. It is expected that all councillors will adhere to the spirit of GMCA’s Code of Conduct during the sessions, which can be viewed via the link below, on page 108 of the constitution. Feedback to the GMCA Appointment Panel Members of the GMCA (or their GMCA substitutes where appropriate) will be asked to ensure that any feedback from councillors arising from these engagement sessions and from other discussions within their local authorities is collated and fed back to the Interview Panel on 29th May.

If you would like to attend an engagement session or submit questions please

would you do so by email to the inbox address below, for the attention of Julie

Connor Head of GMIST, Applications@nwemployers.org.uk. This will enable us to

manage attendee numbers and ensure facilities at each venue meet requirements. Yours sincerely,

Julie Connor Head of the Greater Manchester Integrated Support Team GMCA

Links to documents

Greater Manchester Strategy

http://www.agma.gov.uk/cms_media/files/gm_strategy_stronger_together_full_report2.pdf

GM Interim Mayor, Guidance Notes, Eligibility Criteria, Role Description & Person

Specification

http://www.agma.gov.uk/gmca/gmca-devolution-agreement1/gm-interim-mayor/index.html

GMCA Code of Conduct http://www.agma.gov.uk/cms_media/files/gmca_constitution_as_of_june2013_final.pdf?static=1