Historic plans for Greater Manchester's 10 councils to share their powers could be on the brink of collapse.

The proposals – which would see unified policies on skills, economic development and transport – have taken years to prepare and have been hailed by ministers as an example to the rest of the country.

They were due to be agreed by the leaders of the councils at a meeting on Friday.

Now the M.E.N has learned at least two councils – Liberal Democrat-run Stockport and Conservative-led Trafford – are set to vote 'no'.

Both have concerns about the fact that once they have signed up to the deal, they will not be able to walk away without the government's permission.

They are also  unhappy that decisions will be made an a strict majority basis – meaning a six-four vote will force them to follow the other councils' lead.

Congestion charge

Senior sources at both councils point out that those arrangements would have seen Greater Manchester introduce a congestion charge in return for billions of pounds to spend on public transport. In the event, the issue was put to a referendum – and roundly rejected in all 10 council areas.

Frantic negotiations have been going on for the past few days as senior local government officials try to salvage a deal.

Any collapse - coming on the back of the abortive congestion-charge bid - would be a major embarrassment for council leaders who have thrown their weight behind the plans.

Supporters of the deal remain confident a compromise will be found before the Friday deadline.

If Stockport and Trafford do pull out, the remaining councils could still choose go ahead - raising the prospect of a 'Greater Manchester' without Trafford Park and Old Trafford cricket and football grounds.

The proposal is for AGMA - the current, purely voluntary coalition of 10 council leaders - to be beefed up into a 'combined authority'. This body would have binding powers over its members.

The 10 leaders will meet on Friday. They were expected to agree to recommend the move, which must then be voted through by all individual councils before being rubber-stamped by the secretary of state.

The plans have been given extra urgency by the prospect of a general election, with the Conservative opposition yet to throw their backing behind such 'city-regional' arrangements.

Greater Manchester's five Labour-run councils - Manchester, Salford, Wigan, Tameside and Bolton - are believed to be in favour of the deal. Liberal Democrat-run Rochdale and Oldham, and Bury - which is Conservative controlled - are yet to show their hands.

Friday's meeting could now become the equivalent of a high-stakes poker game. If Trafford can be brought back into the fold - possibly by making it easier to leave the new group - Stockport could be left isolated. That would give them a major headache in trying to plan issues like local transport, which naturally crosses council boundaries.