Greater Manchester mayoral election LIVE updates as voters across the region head to the polls

The Mayor leads Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), which was formed in 2011 by the ten councils that make up Greater Manchester: Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford and Wigan.

Each council has one seat on the GMCA, usually held by the council leader. The mayor is the eleventh member and the chair of the GMCA.

The role of Greater Manchester mayor has one of the broadest regional remits across the UK, with the person in power also holding the post of police and crime commissioner (PCC) for the area.

This means that the mayor is “the public’s voice on policing matters” and has a statutory duty to hold the Chief Constable and GMP to account for their performance, according to GMCA. Other duties as the PCC include setting the policing budget and agreeing priorities through the Police and Crime Plan.

Other powers held by the mayor include responsibility for the fire and rescue service. The mayor sets the budget and strategic priorities for the service, while the Chief Fire Officer is responsible for operational matters.

They also oversee a wide range of policy areas that affect people’s everyday lives, which includes transport, such as how money is spent on infrastructure like new tram lines or roads, as well as planning and housing.

The Mayor also works with businesses to promote economic growth and oversees budgets devolved from central Government, including a £630 million integrated settlement.