Dermot Finch, Director Centre for Cities, has rejected Michael Heseltine's idea to elect 'super mayors' with wide-ranging powers to tackle the problems of regeneration in UK cities.
"Directly-elected city mayors are an idea whose time has come. Mayors will help England’s big cities unlock the powers they need to deliver regeneration, improve transport, and spark further economic growth. But empowered cities will still need to work with regional institutions. A regional tier that is streamlined and more accountable, together with devolved powers and funding for cities, is needed to support wider economic development objectives."
Lord Michael Heseltine’s new report, Cities Renaissance: Creating Local Leadership, is the first publication of the Cities Task Force, which was convened to advise the Conservative Shadow Cabinet on urban policy. This recommended:
- The transfer of power from regional agencies downward to local government
- Directly-elected mayors for all top-tier authorities, with four-year terms
- Pan-city’ Executive Mayors for Birmingham, Newcastle, Manchester and Liverpool – with powers over regeneration, transport, skills, fire, waste and police services. These would sit above existing councils
- Greater local control over finances, including retained business rates from new developments, more capital funding, and freedom to issue local bonds
Aside from the Mayor of London, there are currently only 12 directly-elected local authority mayors in England – in Doncaster, Mansfield, Hartlepool, North Tyneside, Middlesbrough, Stoke-on-Trent, Torbay, Watford, Bedford, Newham, Hackney and Lewisham. These mayors are elected for four-year terms – but have little more power than traditional council leaders.
The Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Bill, currently going through the Commons, would require all English councils to choose a directly-elected mayor, elected Executive, or a council leader with a four-year term.
The Government’s Sub-National Review of Economic Development and Regeneration, part of the 2007 Comprehensive Spending Review, will make recommendations on the distribution of power and funding at regional, sub-regional and local level. It is expected in Autumn 2007.