CONSERVATIVE LEADER TELLS MINISTER WHAT AN

ELECTED MAYOR NEEDS TO GET BRISTOL OUT OF A PICKLE!

Conservative Leader Councillor Peter Abraham has sent to the Minister and Officials at the Department for Communities & Local Government his Group's ideas on what powers need to be given to an Elected Mayor.

The Coalition Government is keen for the twelve largest cities in England to change the way they are run – subject to a confirmatory referendum to be held in Bristol on 3rd May.

Last November, as part of this process, a consultation paper was launched entitled "What can a mayor do for your city?" which specifically invited suggestions on the type and range of decision-making it was believed locally should be devolved to such a figure. Responses had to be submitted by Tuesday, 3rd January 2012.

The submission, made on behalf of the Conservative Group who will be actively campaigning for a 'yes' vote in next May's referendum, identifies five major areas where the powers of an Executive Mayor need to be enhanced.

Key amongst these are the ability to control or intervene in transport and highway management. This envisages the granting of powers analogous to that of an Integrated Transport Authority which is widely recognised as necessary to regulate bus fares, routes, modify road schemes and revive the city's suburban rail network.

In addition, Cllr Abraham is lobbying for the devolution of all Ministerial level planning powers so that local people could have a right of appeal to the Mayor on controversial major planning applications.

Conservative Leader Councillor Peter Abraham is particularly concerned over the failure of the Lib Dem-run Authority to engage in this consultation exercise.

Cllr Abraham said: "I find it shocking that the Lib Dem Administration seems to have turned their backs on this important process.

"As a result, they have lost an opportunity to help determine what a Bristol Elected Mayor could actually look like.

"Of course, the ultimate decision in this matter rightly rests with the electorate but we will continue to argue for a vote for change in next May's referendum.

"The Minister of State, the Rt. Hon. Eric Pickles MP has already written to me to say he is looking forward to reading the Conservative Group submission.

"If we do get an Executive Mayor, then we believe this individual will ideally need to exercise the range of powers outlined in our paper.

"It is worrying that the Lib Dems continue to display their ostrich-like disposition towards the City's problems and now, it seems, also towards any potential solutions."

Back to Local News Index 3rd January 2012