The Government has confirmed that referendums on whether to hold mayoral elections will take place across 11 cities next year.
The polls will take place on 3 May 2012 and will cover Birmingham, Liverpool, Bristol, Bradford, Coventry, Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham, Sheffield and Wakefield.
Former transport secretary Lord Adonis, one of Labour's strongest supporters of the proposals, said: 'If we can get agreement for mayors in the fourth and second largest cities in England, as well as London, it will be the start of an unstoppable process.'
In Bristol the scheme has received cross-party support from MPs. Labour's Kerry McCarthy, Tory Charlotte Leslie and Liberal Democrat Stephen Williams are all, to varying degrees, in favour. In Birmingham, a cross-party campaign has been formed with strong support from business leaders and Labour council leader Sir Albert Bore.
In response to the reports, council leader Cllr Mike Whitby said: 'For a long time I have championed greater autonomy and freedom for our cities, with local authorities working side-by-side with the business community to stimulate the local and regional economy.
'I'm delighted the Government continues to recognise the exceptional potential here in Birmingham and the key role we will play as a catalyst to the wider regeneration of the national economy. Every city is different and this means we will be able to invest money according to local need, while at the same time protecting essential services.'
