Voters in Bradley Stoke and across the wider West of England region are being called to choose a ‘Metro Mayor’ in a poll to be held on Thursday 4th May.
The election follows the decision by three local councils – Bath & North East Somerset; Bristol; and South Gloucestershire – to accept a devolution deal proposed by the government.
Features of the West of England devolution deal include:
- Control of a new additional £30 million a year funding allocation over 30 years, to be used to boost growth in the region
- Devolution of multi-year transport budgets, enabling the region to deliver transport projects with greater certainty that the funds are in place
- Responsibility for the adult education budget, helping the region ensure that adult skills provision meets the needs of local businesses and learners
- Enhanced powers to speed up the delivery of new housing in line with the Joint Spatial Plan
A new West of England Combined Authority was established in February 2017 to oversee the new powers. The authority’s current members are Cllr Tim Warren, leader of Bath & North East Somerset Council; Marvin Rees, Mayor of Bristol; and Cllr Matthew Riddle, leader of South Gloucestershire Council.
Following the mayoral election on Thursday 4th May, the authority will be chaired by the new West of England Mayor.
Most decisions made by the authority will require the agreement of a majority of the four members – provided this includes the Mayor.
As we went to press, six people had indicated their intention to stand as candidates in the mayoral election (see list, below). Nominations close on 4th April.
The likely candidates:
- Tim Bowles (Conservative)
- Aaron Foot (UKIP)
- Darren Hall (Green)
- Lesley Mansell (Labour)
- John Savage (Independent)
- Stephen Williams (Liberal Democrat)
Photo: Current members of the West of England Combined Authority – (from left) Marvin Rees, Cllr Tim Warren and Cllr Matthew Riddle – pictured at the first meeting of the authority.
This article originally appeared in the April 2017 issue of the Bradley Stoke Journal news magazine (on page 3). The magazine is delivered FREE, EVERY MONTH, to 9,500 homes in Bradley Stoke, Little Stoke and Stoke Lodge. Phone 01454 300 400 to enquire about advertising or leaflet insertion.
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