Cities Minister Greg Clark is asking the residents of 12 English cities to contribute their views on what powers they would like an elected …
Cities Minister Greg Clark is asking the residents of 12 English cities to contribute their views on what powers they would like an elected mayor to be able to exercise on their behalf.
In May 2010, the Coalition Agreement set out Government’s commitment to create directly elected mayors in the 12 largest English cities outside London, subject to confirmatory referendums and full scrutiny by elected councillors.
Leicester has recently elected a Mayor. The Government is now planning for referendums to take place in 11 other cities - Birmingham, Bradford, Bristol, Coventry, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle upon Tyne, Nottingham, Sheffield and Wakefield - in May 2012. Where people vote in favour, the city will move to an elected mayor.
The Government is seeking to ensure that these elected mayors have powers that are properly suited to local circumstances. Rather than imposing a standard set of powers, the Government is launching a consultation to give local people a say over what they would want a mayor to be able to do on their behalf.
The consultation invites people who live and work in the 12 cities to contribute their views on the proposed approach for giving powers to city mayors, the powers that should be transferred, and on how mayors can best be subject to local scrutiny.
Mr Clark said:
English cities aren’t just home to millions of people; they are cultural powerhouses and economic dynamos. Cities will play a crucial role in driving and sustaining our economic recovery, and I will do everything in my power to help them thrive.
Evidence from London and beyond shows the difference elected mayors can make. They can provide strong and visible leadership, and take the tough decisions needed to attract jobs and investment for the future.
Every city has its own unique needs, identity and character. There’s no such thing as a “one size fits all” mayor - they should be able to do whatever it takes to get to grips with the local challenges and help their city flourish. That’s why I’m asking the people who live and work in our 12 largest cities - what could a mayor do for you?