The Metro Mayor & What it Means for Local Businesses
Elections are scheduled for May 4th. The new Mayor is due to take office from May 8th. But from our discussions with local businesses and residents there doesn't seem to be much understanding of what this new role involves.
A few frequently asked questions have emerged from our discussions - we try here to provide some answers:
- Why are we getting a new Mayor and Combined Authority?
- Will the new Mayor replace Bristol's current Mayor, or our other Council leaders?
- What will the Combined Authority do?
- What will the Combined Authority's priorities be?
- How do I help to influence those priorities?
Why are we getting a new Mayor and Combined Authority?
The Government has provided for certain powers - currently exercised from London - to be devolved to local areas, subject to certain conditions. In March last year, Bristol, BANES, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset signed up to the 'West of England Devolution Agreement', laying the ground for that devolution of power (although North Somerset has since pulled out).
One of the pre-requisites for that devolution is the creation of a Combined Authority led by a new Mayor. That Combined Authority brings together the participating Local Authorities, and will exercise the devolved powers.
Will the new Mayor replace Bristol's current Mayor, or our other Council leaders?
No. Bristol's Mayor - and the Local Authorities for Bristol, BANES and South Gloucestershire - will remain as currently constituted. The new Mayor and the Combined Authority are being created to exercise additional powers - they are not being created to take over existing powers.
Each Local Authority will have a seat on the Combined Authority, so will feed into its decision making. But neither the Combined Authority, nor the new Mayor, will replace the existing Local Authorities.
However, that's a rather nuanced message for the local electorates. The Combined Authority faces some challenges in getting this message out, and in ensuring voter engagement in the May elections. We expect this to particularly challenging in Bristol, where it may be difficult to differentiate the current Mayor from the 'Metro Mayor'.
What will the Combined Authority do?
The headline figure is that under the devolution arrangements, the Combined Authority will receive £30m funding per year, over 30 years, to deliver local infrastructure with the aim of boosting growth in the region.
The devolution agreement has a particular focus on transport infrastructure, adult education, and the delivery of housing. Rather than decisions as to where investment is made in those areas resting with the Government, those decisions will be devolved to the Combined Authority. The Combined Authority will be responsible for prioritising where that investment is spent.
What will the Combined Authority's priorities be?
That's not an easy question to answer! No doubt the candidates for Metro Mayor will set out their priorities in their election manifestos - but it's not a simple as the elected Mayor being able to implement their manifesto.
The Combined Authority will also comprise the leaders from each of the three Local Authorities, and those leaders will each have their own agendas, and their own electorates to answer to. We understand that there is a 'long list' of potential projects of varying size and value - we can be sure that there will be 'healthy debate' between the participants in the Combined Authority as to which projects should take priority.
How do I help to influence those priorities?
The core purpose behind the devolution arrangement is to devolve responsibility for pulling some of the key levers which will drive growth in the region. Local business will be the engine of that growth - you know better than most what you need to grow your business, employment, and value for the local economy.
Where should investment be made in adult education to ensure the local workforce has the skills that are needed by local businesses? What transport priorities will help local businesses, and help to boost growth? These will be important questions for the Combined Authority, but they can only be answered properly with the input of local businesses like yours.
We understand that the thinking is being developed by the Combined Authority as to how consultations with local businesses will work. It seems certain that the West of England LEP will have a leading role. However, we recommend that you - as a local business with a stake in the region - should keep up to date on the work of the Combined Authority, and take an active role in feeding in on its proposals.
We will keep you up to date with key proposals as they are developed, and look forward to discussing them with you as the work of the Combined Authority gets under way.