William Eichler 08 May 2025

‘Watchdogs with bite’ needed to hold mayors to account

‘Watchdogs with bite’ needed to hold mayors to account image
UK Mayors (c) Tracy Brabin.

More scrutiny is needed to ensure that increasingly powerful mayors are held to account, think tank says.

IPPR North warned that systems of accountability haven’t ‘kept pace’ with the growing power and autonomy of mayors.

It proposed the establishment of independent, well-resourced Mayoral Authority Accountability Committees (MAACs) to improve scrutiny.

The think tank characterised the proposed committees as ‘watchdogs with bite’.

Director of IPPR North and report co-author, Zoë Billingham commented: ‘Mayors are getting more power and that’s a good thing. But the systems that keep them in check haven’t kept up, and will hold devolution up if left as they are.’

She added: 'We need to beef up scrutiny, do it properly, and design a watchdog that ambitious councillors want to be part of. MAACs are the answer to this pressing need and the English Devolution Bill is the government’s opportunity to get this right.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Adult Social Worker Mental Health

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
£38,976 - £52,767
Mental Health Social Worker
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Director of Finance (Deputy Section 151 Officer)

Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames Council
up to salary max £121,445 per annum
We are now seeking a Director of Finance and Deputy Section 151 Officer to play a pivotal role Hybrid / Kingston Upon Thames
Recuriter: Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames Council

Principal Engineer - Adoptions

West Northamptonshire Council
£49,587 - £52,860
We are seeking an experienced and motivated Principal Highways Engineer to join our Highways Development Management team at West Northamptonshire Council. This is a senior role leading on the assessment, negotiation, and delivery of highway works linked t Northampton
Recuriter: West Northamptonshire Council

Head of Highway Operations

Derbyshire County Council
Grade 15 £63,002 - £69,103 per annum
As we begin to implement our new structure, we have an exciting leadership opportunity as the head of our new operations service. Derbyshire
Recuriter: Derbyshire County Council

Trainee Roadworker Driver

Derbyshire County Council
Grade 5 £25,185 - £25,583 per annum
We’re looking for Roadworker/trainee LGV drivers to be part of our team undertaking all aspects of highways maintenance and improvement works Derbyshire
Recuriter: Derbyshire County Council
Linkedin Banner