Yahoo News Gloucestershire metro mayor bid splits opinion among councils
Calls for Gloucestershire to have a directly elected mayor have split opinion among council leaders across the county. Local government in the county is currently split between Gloucestershire County Council and six districts representing Gloucester, Cheltenham, the Cotswolds, the Forest of Dean, Stroud and Tewkesbury.
The new Labour Government has made devolution a key priority and says it is committed to advancing this through the creation of more Metro Mayors. These are mayors who are directly elected to cover combined authorities or combined county authorities. Examples include the mayor of Greater Manchester and the mayor of the West Midlands.
The English Devolution Bill is expected to set out more detail on the Government's devolution plans and will include working with councils to move to simpler structures that make sense for their local areas, with cost cutting from council reorganisation.
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Cotswold District Council leader Joe Harris (LD, St Michaels) has written to the Government urging them to begin talks of creating the new post alongside a commitment to maintain the role of district councils. The Liberal Democrat, who is also vice chairman of the Local Government Association, said there is broad cross-party support across Gloucestershire for devolution, provided it leads to increased funding for local infrastructure, housing, and public transport.
Councillor Harris has acknowledged the Government’s mandate and its commitment to the mayoral model, and stressed that Gloucestershire should engage proactively in these discussions to shape devolution in the region.
However, Councillor Harris has also raised concerns about recent reports suggesting that district councils could be abolished as part of the English Devolution Bill. He believes district councils are essential partners in devolution, being closest to the communities they serve. He warned that removing them from the process could dilute local representation and decision-making.
But Gloucestershire County Council’s Conservative leader Stephen Davies (C, Hardwicke and Severn) has blasted the Liberal Democrat for “being out of touch” as the Labour government wants combined authorities which if implemented in the county could lead to the loss of districts.
“Personally whatever I think about a Gloucestershire Mayor is not relevant, this demonstrates that the Liberal Democrat leader of Cotswold District Council is out of touch or just not listening,” he said.
“The focus of this Labour Government is clear, they want Combined Authorities, larger than just Gloucestershire and recognises that if you add a layer of local government you should consider removing one. Only by understanding this can we work on finding a way forward rather than sitting on the sidelines pontificating.”
Elsewhere in the county Cllr Harris’ letter has been met with mixed responses. Gloucester City Council leader Jeremy Hilton (LD, Kingsholm and Wotton) said they are still awaiting the English Devolution white paper and the conversations on a metro mayor were premature.
He said he was "not enamoured" by directly elected mayors and said there are better ways of devolving power. “Frankly, it’s not real devolution in my opinion,” he said.
“It just seems to be handing back powers we had in the 1980s. It’s clear that Gloucestershire is a distinct single county with a strong community and economy feel to it that other areas haven’t.
“I’ll leave my judgement on whether a metro mayor for Gloucestershire is a good or bad thing.”
Cheltenham Borough Council leader Rowena Hay (LD, Oakley) said delays in the white paper have not been helpful. But she welcomes devolution and it’s right for Gloucestershire to be on the front foot.
“The government is setting the direction of travel. And Joe’s not wrong to put us on the front foot," she said.
“We’ve heard enough from the Government that this is absolutely their direction fo travel. The important thing for me is the fact that devolution and mayors are separate from local government reorganisation.
“District and Borough Councils know their areas better than anyone else in the heart and those communities. It’s a voice that must not be lost. For me as Cheltenham’s leader I don’t want us to be left behind.”
Forest of Dean District Council leader Adrian Birch (G, Tidenham) said he has not had a conversation with Cllr Harris about his letter. But certainly supports his opinion that district councils are close to the communities they serve and should not be subsumed by county councils or indeed larger combined mayoral authorities.
“A fuller response will be made following discussion with Joe Harris and we await the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government white paper which is to be released by the Government in late December," he said.
And Tewkesbury Borough Council leader Richard Stanley (LD, Cleeve West) said ministers have been signalling strongly that they favour metro mayors. He said it is essential Gloucestershire has the right model of local government to best serve residents.
“The Government have made very clear that their white paper is due for release in December and the paper will set out the future direction for local Government,” he said.
“In my recent discussion with the minister I raised the need for the paper to be clear, detailed and to give specific time frames. I also set out to the minister the huge opportunities for Tewkesbury Borough and Gloucestershire as a place to deliver significant numbers of high skilled well paid jobs providing the government, particularly the Department for Transport can help to unlock the infrastructure investment our area needs.
“Investment and devolution will go hand in hand together, which is why leaders are already working closely together across all the Gloucestershire districts and with partners at County. When we have the clarity and details from Government we will take on board all the proposals. It is essential that Gloucestershire has the right model of local Government for the people of Gloucestershire, one that works to serve the best interests of our communities for the long term.”
Stroud District Council leaders were also approached for comment. In his letter to Local Government Minister Jim McMahon, Councillor Harris called for an open dialogue with the Government and invited county leaders to join him in discussions about what a mayoral model could look like in Gloucestershire.
He stressed the importance of ensuring that Gloucestershire’s specific needs—particularly in rural areas—are reflected in any new governance model. Councillor Joe Harris said: “The new Government has made it clear that Mayors are central to the future of local government.
“I want Gloucestershire to be proactive in these discussions, ensuring we have a say in shaping the future of devolution. Our county faces significant challenges, such as a lack of infrastructure to support new housing.
“Devolution could bring much-needed investment and power to address these issues. While I’m not convinced that a mayor is the ideal solution for a rural area like Gloucestershire, the reality is that if we don’t engage now, devolution could be imposed on us without our input. If we indulge in an argument about whether we think a Mayor is right or wrong for our area then we’re going to lose out.
“District councils also play a vital role in representing local communities, and they are the ideal partners for a Mayor. Abolishing district councils would remove local decision-making and diminish the connection between government and the people it serves.”
