High Peak could elect its own mayor (High Peak Liberal Democrats)

High Peak Liberal Democrats <info@highpeaklibdems.org.uk>

High Peak could elect its own mayor

August 27, 2010 1:43 PM
By Kate Weir in Glossop Advertiser

Glossop could soon come under the control of a directly elected mayor due to legislation put in place by the last government. Under the changes, local people will have a say in whether High Peak Borough Council comes under the control of an elected ward councillor who is then appointed leader, or a mayor voted in by residents from across the High Peak.

As part of the changes outlined in the Local Government Act 2007, the council can either opt to appoint a new-style leader who picks cabinet members - similar to the current situation - or it can choose to have a directly elected mayor who then also chooses his or her own cabinet. The council must choose one system by May next year.

Both the new-style leader and the directly-elected mayor would be appointed for four years, but while the leader can be removed from office at any time if other councillors agree, it is not possible to do this with a mayor.

Currently, the borough council has a designated leader and a group of executive councillors, each with an area of special responsibility, who have been approved by the whole council. And presently the mayor's role is almost entirely ceremonial.

Old Glossop independent councillor, Ivan Bell, has stated that he would interested in running as an elected mayoral candidate, if the council opts for that system.

He said: "My own personal thing would be to have a directly elected mayor chosen by the constituents of the whole of the High Peak and not a directly elected mayor by councillors. High Peak Borough Council has been forced to do this but they're hanging back. They're only doing it because they have to." The system of directly elected mayors has already been used in other parts of the country, most notably in Hartlepool where in 2002 residents elected a man in a monkey suit whose election pledge was free bananas for all schoolchildren.

Cllr Bell continued: "I think the people of Hartlepool had the right idea. It shows contempt for the political parties locally. Political parties and groups should never have been introduced into local politics because councillors ought to support constituents and not be subjected to party whips."

Meanwhile, one former High Peak ceremonial mayor and Hadfield councillor, Bob McKeown, disagreed.

He said: "I think an elected mayor might work in the big cities, but not in the High Peak.

The problem is you could get somebody standing as a gimmick who might not have the interests of the people at heart. I'd support a system similar to what we have now. That way if there's a problem with the leader or a member of the executive we've got the right to get rid of them. You can't do that with an elected mayor."

But whichever change comes into place, it could be short lived. The coalition government has said that it is looking to do away with the legislation, but has encouraged all councils to press ahead with the changes anyway.

Anyone wishing to help the council decide on which option to choose can either visit the website to complete an online survey at www.highpeak.gov.uk/consultation or put your comments in writing to the Corporate Policy Team, Assistant Chief Executive's

Office, High Peak Borough Council, Hayfield Road, Chapel-en-le-Frith, High Peak, Derbyshire, SK23 0QJ. The closing date for submission is Friday September 10