News / Politics
Could Greater Bristol get elected mayor too?
Manchester and its surrounding councils will be ruled by an elected mayor to preside over regional issues by 2017, the Chancellor has announced.
The move, agreed with leaders of the region’s 10 councils, will give local politicians greater control over billions of pounds of public money.
The mayor will oversee policies such as transport, social care and housing as well as police budgets.
is needed now More than ever
The announcement comes after the Labour Party announced last week they would devolve powers and billions of pounds of cash to Bristol and the regions if it forms a government next year.
But the mayor announcement will reignite the debate over the Greater Bristol region, and highlight the lack of powers devolved to the city since George Ferguson became its first elected mayor in 2012.
Councils in Greater Manchester currently control £5bn of public money each year. This deal would give them control over a further £2bn.
“This will give Mancunians a powerful voice and bring practical improvements for local people, with better transport links, an Oyster-style travelcard and more investment in skills and the city’s economy,” George Osborne said.
“I want to talk to other cities who are keen to follow Manchester’s lead – every city is different and no model of local power will be the same.
“Giving cities power is part of our long-term economic plan to reduce the decades-old gap between north and south; London and the rest,” he said.
The announcement comes after a report last month said combining the strength of Bristol and Cardiff would create an extra £782million for the regional economy.
The RSA City Growth Commission said devolving powers on tax and spending to the 15 largest cities in Britain could boost economic growth by £79bn a year by 2030.
The Severn region of Bristol and Cardiff would make an extra £782m in gross value added economic growth, it said.
Meanwhile, Labour has planned to woo Bristol voters with a pledge to give the city powers to deal with its transport problems – including rail and bus services.
“For too long, the other regions of England have been unable to plan ahead or join up their transport networks to help secure the prosperity they need,” Labour leader Ed Miliband said.
“The next Labour government will hand regions that want it the power to regulate their bus services so that local people and local businesses get the public transport system they need to succeed.
“Labour will legislate so that city and county regions can set fares, decide routes, and integrate bus services with trams, trains and the wider public transport network.”
Picture: Manchester’s City Hall, Tupungato / Shutterstock
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