Thinktanks call for more power for mayors

The Centre for Cities and the Institute for Government have called for wider powers for elected mayors and advocated a ‘metro mayor’ option for major conurbations, with similar powers to those seen in London.

In their joint report, entitled Big Shot or Long Shot, the thinktanks argued that mayors should gain more powers to make decisions that affect growth, in particular around planning and transport. New mayoral powers should include strategic oversight of councils’ core strategies for planning to ensure these fit with neighbouring areas, in the same that the London Plan covers London boroughs. Mayors should also gain power to decide on strategic planning applications which support economic growth, such as major infrastructure projects or housing sites, the report said.

It further proposed that mayors should chair the integrated transport authority in the metropolitan areas and co-chair local enterprise partnerships alongside the business community. Alexandra Jones, chief executive of Centre for Cities said: “Our research shows that skills, transport and planning remain the most significant and urgent barriers to growth; mayors will need to be able to tackle these through formal and informal powers.

“Citizens in every city and city region should be able to make their own decisions about the right governance for their place and their economy. So we are also urging the government to amend legislation to give cities the option to have either a local authority or metro mayor.”

Institute for Government director Andrew Adonis said: “Evidence from the UK and abroad shows that elected mayors can have a transformative effect on city economies. But if they are going to succeed, government first has to give them the powers to make a difference.”

The Localism Bill provides for mayoral referendums in 11 major cities. But the report admitted mayors had not proved a popular model.

Since mayoralties were created in 2000, only 37 areas have held referendums on their introduction, and just 12 of those secured a ‘yes’ vote.

The report admitted that during Lord Adonis’ tour of the 11 cities he had been told that councils considered the present system of governance worked well and they saw no need for change.