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 I think I’d need to see what the objections are about really. As always with these things, what’s the ultimate outcome trying to achieve here? I’ve worked in housing all my life. Of course, you have to balance these environmental and social impacts, with a need to do more housing. Because the truth is, we need more housing. Manchester’s population is growing, it’s anticipated to grow by 600,000 in the next five-10 years. So there needs to be some form of housing, always keeping an eye on what’s being delivered and what the market is really saying is important.”

A key part of Roney’s role will be driving forward the devolution agenda as part of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority. Would she like to see greater devolution? “I’ve always been struck by Manchester’s relentless ambition, so whatever is on the table now in terms of a devolution agreement with the mayor, I’m sure is just a starting point,” she says.

“Quite rightly, local government needs to evidence that it delivers for government. It has to deliver, not just ask for more money or freedom and flexibilities to devolve power. We need to deliver and then ask for more.”

As lead executive for skills funding at the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and a member of the Leeds City Region Local Enterprise Partnership, she knows what it’s like to negotiate with other council chief executives. But if an Amazon or a Google wanted to set up a new European HQ in the North of England, would she fight tooth and nail to make sure they came to Manchester? Roney smiles: “In some instances, we might all have to compete and show our best offer and the choice will be made.”

But she insists she is behind the Northern Powerhouse agenda. “It’s not the success of Manchester at all costs to other areas. That’s not a long-term strategy, is it? So the principle has to be that we want to see everywhere benefit and grow.”

The role Roney is stepping into will look rather different from the one left by Bernstein. With an elected mayor in place, the council chief executives will be reporting to the combined authority. “I think we will all work through who does what, where,” Roney says. “I think the public sector now is operating in a very different way to perhaps how people realise. We’re much more collaborative and collegiate and collective and getting the ambitions delivered, with maximum benefits for residents.”

During his 18 years at the top of Manchester council, Bernstein became known as much for his achievements as for his personal style. What will Roney’s leadership style be? She laughs and says I should ask someone else who has worked with her. Industry reports are positive. 

Mark Latham, regeneration director at Urban Splash, who remembers her involvement in Park Hill, says: “She and her team understood partnerships and the drivers that commercial organisations have but also getting the right thing for the city, so I see her appointment as fantastically positive.”

A survey of Roney’s Wakefield office suggests Star Wars memorabilia could replace the Manchester City totems that adorn Bernstein’s town hall lair. A sign hanging on a door of her office is revealing: “I’m not bossy, I just have better ideas.”

Roney will be at MIPIM Cannes, but says she will be keeping a low profile until her tenure officially begins. I ask her if she is looking forward to the Manchester pavilion, which will position the city on the Riviera for the first time, in between Paris and London. She is, but says she might be spending more time on the low-key West Yorkshire stand. As I get up to leave, Roney adds, “Maybe with a woman in charge, we could have a Northern Powerhouse pavilion next time.”  She might be a Brummie, but she has plenty of Northern grit.