Our topic this episode discusses directly-elected mayors in England and Wales, a system introduced by the Local Government Act 2000. There are three main ways local authorities can be run: mayor and cabinet, leader and cabinet, or the committee system. Discover how mayors are introduced, either by referendum or council resolution, and why most referendums have voted against them. We also distinguish local authority mayors from different roles like metro-mayors or ceremonial mayors.

Key Takeaways:

• Directly-elected mayors for local authorities were introduced in England and Wales by the Local Government Act 2000.
• Local authorities can choose one of three main political management setups: mayor and cabinet, leader and cabinet, or the committee system.
• A mayor can be created either by a referendum vote or a resolution passed by the full council.
• Most referendums held to create an elected mayor have resulted in a 'no' vote.
• Local authority mayors in England and Wales do not automatically have more powers than authorities using other systems.
• There are different types of mayors, including metro-mayors and ceremonial mayors, who are distinct from directly-elected local authority mayors and have different roles or powers.
• The voting system for elected mayors changed from Supplementary Vote to First Past the Post in May 2023.

Definitions

• Directly-elected mayor and cabinet: One of three ways a local authority can be run, where a mayor is elected by the public and leads an executive cabinet.
• Committee system: A traditional way for local authorities to make decisions through policy committees approved by the full council.
• Metro-mayors: Elected chairs of combined authorities covering multiple council areas, established under different legislation and having distinct powers (like transport and economic development) compared to local authority mayors.

Discussion: most referendums on elected mayors have resulted in 'no' votes. Why do you think local electorates have often rejected this model?

Source: Directly-elected mayors - Briefing Paper

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