Public Funds, Delayed Answers: GMCA Investigation Moves to FOI | Tameside Independent

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Public Accountability

Public Funds, Delayed Answers: GMCA Investigation Moves to FOI Stage

After repeated delays and a failure to answer a press enquiry, Tameside Independent has now submitted a formal Freedom of Information request to the Greater Manchester Combined Authority.

By Jason Nield – Updated 22 July 2025

After more than two weeks of delays and evasive responses, the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) failed to provide answers to a press enquiry about the oversight of public housing funds. As a result, the Tameside Independent has escalated the matter by submitting a comprehensive Freedom of Information (FOI) request to compel the release of this vital information.

The Original Unanswered Questions

Our initial enquiry on 3 July 2025 sought to clarify basic oversight procedures. We asked GMCA to explain:

Eligibility conditions for housing providers under the Wave 3 Warm Homes Social Housing Fund.
Performance measures and how delivery is tracked against targets.
Oversight mechanisms, including audits and clawback provisions for underperformance.
How GMCA responds when housing providers miss crucial delivery targets.
Whether age-restricted housing (55+) is being prioritised over general needs housing in fund allocation.

Timeline of Delay

3 July 2025

Initial Enquiry Sent

A detailed press enquiry is sent to GMCA with a response deadline of 11 July.

11 July 2025

Deadline Passes & Enquiry “Lost”

After the deadline passes, GMCA claims they “cannot find” the enquiry and ask for it to be resent.

15 July 2025

Relevance Questioned

GMCA questions the enquiry’s relevance. The editor clarifies the wider scope of the investigation.

18 July 2025

Final Deadline Missed

A final courtesy deadline of 12:00 PM passes with no formal statement from GMCA.

22 July 2025

Formal FOI Request Submitted

With no answers provided, the investigation formally moves to the FOI stage.

“We’re not asking for trade secrets — we’re asking how public money is allocated, tracked, and safeguarded. Two weeks is more than enough time to answer a press enquiry. If GMCA can’t explain how housing funds are managed, then who’s really overseeing Greater Manchester’s housing future?”

– Jason Nield, Editor

Update: FOI Acknowledgement Received

GMCA has formally acknowledged receipt of our Freedom of Information request. The full text of their acknowledgement is below.

Dear Mr Nield, Freedom of Information Act 2000 Thank you for your request for information, which was received by us on 22 July 2025, regarding the following information: 1. Social Housing Build Data * The total number of social rent homes planned, approved, started, and completed in Tameside. Greater Manchester via received funds from GMCA. * Projected versus actual figures for homes classified under ‘Affordable Rent,’ ‘Social Rent,’ and ‘Supported/SEND-linked Housing.’ 2. Funding Allocation & Use * Details of all capital and revenue allocations made by the GMCA or its delivery partners to Tameside Council or affiliated Registered Providers (RPs). * Details of any clawbacks or unspent funds that have been returned to the GMCA. * A breakdown of any Homes England funding that has been administered via the GMCA for use in Tameside. 3. Delivery Partners & Oversight * A list of all RPs receiving GMCA funding for housing projects in Tameside. * Any documents defining the oversight mechanisms in place, such as formal agreements, performance dashboards, or review meeting minutes. * Any correspondence or meeting notes between the GMCA and Jigsaw Homes or Tameside Council regarding housing delivery timelines or failures. 4. Policy Interventions & Monitoring * All internal memos, briefing papers, or minutes from the GMCA’s housing board or associated subcommittees that reference delays, under delivery, or SEND-linked housing needs in Tameside. 5. Correspondence Trail * All emails, letters, or memos exchanged between the GMCA and: o Angela Rayner MP (in her Ministerial or constituency capacity) o Cllr Leanne Feeley or Cllr Andrew McLaren o Tameside Council senior officers (Director-level and above) concerning housing delivery, underperformance, or public accountability queries. 6. Press Handling * Copies of all internal communications, briefing materials, or media handling notes related to press enquiries submitted by the Tameside Independent or FOIGUK between June 2024 and the present. We are processing it in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act 2000. We aim to respond as soon as possible and no later than 20 working days following the date of receipt , the deadline for your request will be 19 August 2025. If the timescale needs to be extended , you will be notified of this. Please quote the reference number 12791348 in all further communication as this will allow us to quickly identify your request . The Freedom of Information Act 2000 may restrict the release of some or all of the information you have requested. We will carry out an assessment and if any exemptions apply to some or all of the information then we might not provide that information to you. We will inform you if this is the case and advise you of your rights to request an internal review and to complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office. If you have any queries or concerns, then please do not hesitate to contact us. Yours sincerely, Information and Data Governance Team Greater Manchester Combined Authority foi.officer@greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk

The deadline for a substantive response is 19 August 2025. The reference is 12791348.