YOUNG people from Bury are being given the chance to help shape the future of Greater Manchester.

More than 100 young people are expected to attend Bury Town Hall on Tuesday, October 24, to have their say on city life.

Curriculum for life, transport, hate crime and health will all be on the agenda at the conference, hosted by Greater Manchester Combined Authority in partnership with Youth Focus North West.

The upcoming event comes just three weeks after the launch of the new Greater Manchester Youth Combined Authority (GMYCA) - a group of 40 individuals aged 11 to 18, and including members of all 10 existing youth councils.

GMYCA will develop policies for Greater Manchester to improve the lives of young people.

Labour leader of Bury Council, Cllr Rishi Shori, also hopes the gathering will be an opportunity to develop talent in the borough by connecting businesses and young people.

Cllr Shori, who is also GMCA portfolio lead for young people and social cohesion, said: “Our vibrant business sector acknowledge that they don’t have the skills to grow their businesses, and that is about investing in our people, and enthusing people at a young age through our schools and colleges to think about careers in the borough where we have opportunities.

“I want our businesses to invest back into their area and encourage our young people.

“My vision for Bury is that we provide the foundations to grow talent, by connecting businesses and young people together in a very real way that results in opportunities.”

A further 20 young people will be recruited to GMYCA following the conference in Bury, and recommendations will be taken forward to help develop policies, advice the Mayor of Greater Manchester and GMCA on issues affecting the younger generation, and drive forward recommendations made in the Bury Commission on Life Chance report, which includes proposals for council action.

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham said: “Young people are at the heart of my plans for Greater Manchester.

“The new GMYCA will help us create a city-region that works for all young people.

“This group can make a real difference by developing new policies that can improve the lives of young people, making Greater Manchester the best place to grow up and get on in life.

“I want the GMYCA to go out to Greater Manchester’s young people and tell me how we can improve our city-region, then we will make it happen together.” Tickets for the event, held in the Elizabeth Suite, can be bought from Sharon Watts via s.watts@youthfocusnw.org.uk.