Clarity demanded as Osborne restates requirement for elected mayors

THE Conservative manifesto, echoing previously-stated policy, was clear: “we will devolve far-reaching powers over economic development, transport and social care to large cities which choose to have elected mayors”.

The Chancellor yesterday remained unambiguous in his demand for the creation of metro mayors to be part of any devolution deal. He said: “I can also tell the house we are working towards deals with the Sheffield and Liverpool City Regions and Leeds, West Yorkshire and partner authorities on far reaching devolution of power in return for the creation of directly elected mayors.”

Yet the reaction from the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP) studiously avoided the word “mayor”, or any reference to changed political structures as it diplomatically welcomed “this government pledge to a second stage devolution deal for our region”.

The sticking point remains the ability to raise revenues.

LEP chairman Roger Marsh said: “What we need to see secure as part of ongoing discussions with government is a deal that would provide powers for our area to raise its own finances.

“Devolution is not real devolution without fiscal powers and we will continue to call for this as we work up the detail ahead of the Spending Review.”

Council leaders in Leeds and Sheffield both emphasised the need for clarity about what powers would be devolved to an elected mayor.

Cllr Judith Blake, the leader of Leeds City Council, said: “It’s clear that the Government wants to force local areas to accept an elected mayor as the price of the deal, but before that can be considered there has to be a much better understanding of what will be devolved.”

The council said that it, along with its partner authorities, have “issued the Chancellor with a comprehensive list of ‘asks’ seeking full local control over both funding and decision-making in a number of areas currently controlled by government”.

Sheffield faces similar challenges as Leeds and its council leader, Cllr Julie Dore, echoed the same theme.

“It is clear that the government are determined to impose mayors as part of this process, and throughout the negotiations we have kept all options on the table.

“But the government need to demonstrate that they are willing to put greater investment, and local control over the programmes we need to deliver results, in return.”