LEADERS in Bolton and the rest of Greater Manchester have agreed a deal with the Chancellor to devolve more powers to the region — including the transfer of power over fire services to a newly elected mayor.

Under the plans, the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Authority will be abolished and its functions will be transferred to the incoming Greater Manchester Mayor.

Other new measures which have been added to last year’s historic devolution deal will see a new local land commission created, to look at and co-ordinate how all publicly owned land in the region can be used — including for the provision of the 10,000 new homes required to be built each year.

There will also be more collaboration between the government and the local authorities on issues such as planning, children’s services and employment programmes.

Town hall bosses could be given new powers to relax Sunday trading laws for businesses in the region.

The agreement was outlined by George Osborne as he announced his emergency summer budget — the first by a majority Conservative government since 1996.

Last November, Bolton Council leader Cllr Cliff Morris and the nine other regional leaders in Greater Manchester signed an historic devolution deal to bring in the first directly elected metro-wide mayor outside of London — with powers over transport, housing, planning and policing.

Former police and crime commissioner Tony Lloyd has been appointed interim mayor for the region, but a permanent figure will be elected to take on the additional powers.

In his budget speech, Mr Osborne said that the devolution deal will now go even further.

He said: “I can today announce that I've reached agreement with the 10 councils of Greater Manchester to devolve further powers to the city.

“These include putting fire services under the control of the new mayor, establishing a land commission in the city, and further collaboration on children's services and employment programmes.”

The Chancellor also announced that the newly created Transport for the North body, which aims to oversee the “Northern Powerhouse” plan — will be given £30 million to help connect northern England, with “seamless Oyster-style ticketing across the region”.

This new ticketing system, based on the one used on the London Underground, will mean Bolton commuters will be able to use an integrated ticket system across trains, buses and trams.

Another key new measure will bring in a review of the way that all children’s services are delivered.

The review will look at more efficient ways to deliver these services and will focus on “locally accountable leadership.”

Cllr Morris is the health lead for the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and he welcomed news that a new strategic sustainability health plan will be “aligned” with the government’s spending review process.

He said: “Greater Manchester people have some of the worst health outcomes in the country. This is something we are working hard to turn around and the plans we are developing for integrated health and social care have the potential to make a significant difference.

“Aligning this planning with the spending review period will enable greater certainty over funding and allow us to plan further ahead.”

One aspect of the new deal which Cllr Morris feels less comfortable about is Mr Osborne’s plan to give whoever is elected as Greater Manchester Mayor the power to relax Sunday trading regulations, meaning shops in Bolton could be able to stay open later on Sundays.

Cllr Morris said: “It seems like the government wants this but are saying we can decide on it — if it is something they want they shouldn’t pass the ball, because this could raise some issues.”

Bolton North East MP, David Crausby has previously said that while he welcomes the devolution of powers to Greater Manchester he thinks it is “fundamentally wrong” that local residents have been given no say over the constitutional change.

Speaking from Parliament yesterday he said: “Whether it is right or wrong, it is really important that the people of Bolton and Greater Manchester have a say on whether they want this change and whether they want a Mayor for the region.

“They wouldn’t impose this on Wales and the population of Greater Manchester is bigger than Wales — I just think the English get taken for granted sometimes.”

Mr Crausby added that he is “totally in favour” of anything that brings more power to the north.