For more information on DeHavilland and how we can help with political monitoring, custom research and consultancy, contact:

Transcription

1 \ For more information on DeHavilland and how we can help with political monitoring, custom research and consultancy, contact: +44 (0)

2 DEVOLUTION REVOLUTION?... 2 GREATER MANCHESTER... 3 WEST MIDLANDS... 8 LIVERPOOL CITY REGION WEST OF ENGLAND CAMBRIDGESHIRE AND PETERBOROUGH TEES VALLEY

3 On 4 May, the first Combined Authority Mayors were elected across the country: Greater Manchester, West Midlands, Liverpool City Region, West of England, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, and Tees Valley. The new Combined Authority Mayors (or Metro Mayors) will chair a combined authority. A combined authority is a legal body that enables two or more local authorities to collaborate to improve the delivery of public services and other public functions in their area. Each combined authority has agreed a devolution deal with the Government which sets out the powers and responsibilities of each mayoralty. The Mayors will be responsible for setting out a strategy to grow the local economies in their areas. While their powers will vary, each Mayor will have access to a pot of funding and powers over transport, housing and skills. The new Metro Mayors will not be limited by these powers. As the elected leaders of their areas they will act as ambassadors to attract Government funding and business investment, and will be able to raise the profile of issues that catch their interest. As we have seen in Greater London, the mayors will also be able to influence policy areas where they do not have a formal role and will be able to play a role in in coordinating public services in their area by bringing together in local councils, other government bodies, charities and private businesses. The new mayors will also be looking to the future and seeking to gain further powers and funding from the Government. While it is not clear what, if any, new powers will be devolved after the General Election several of the new Mayors have set out what further powers they would like Government to hand over in their manifestos. This briefing provides an overview of the powers of each of the six mayors, information about each mayor and their policy pledges. Profiles of the Metro Mayors are now available on DeHavilland s PeoplePoint database. For further information, please contact your Monitoring Consultant. 2

4 The Greater Manchester Mayor will chair the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, a partnership of ten local authorities: Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, and Wigan. The Mayor will be supported by a Cabinet consisting of the leaders of the 10 local authorities who make up the combined authority. Each member of the Cabinet will have a portfolio of responsibilities. The Mayor will also be supported by a Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, and a Deputy Mayor for Economic Growth and Business. Budget and Finance Transport The Mayor will be required to set a budget for mayoral functions. The Combined Authority can amend the budget if supported by two thirds of members. Local authorities comprising the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, with council control by party as of May The main source of the Mayor s funding will come from a Single Pot of funding from the Government that can be spent on different projects to support the local economy. The Single Pot is made up of several different budgets including an investment fund grant worth 30m each year ( 900m over 30 years). The Mayor and Combined authority will be able to add a precept to Council Tax bills. They will also pilot 100% business rates retention. Local Transport Plan The Mayor will have responsibility for setting a Local Transport Plan for the area. This Plan will need the agreement of 7 out of 10 members of the Combined Authority. As part of the Single Pot the Mayor will control a consolidated transport budget. Bus Franchising - The Mayor will be able to introduce bus franchising in the Combined Authority area. Roads - The Combined Authority can agree to work with local councils in the area and Highways England on building and maintaining roads. Housing and Planning Strategic Planning - The Mayor will be responsible for preparing a Spatial Development Strategy for the area. This plan will need the approval of all members of the Combined Authority. Housing Investment Fund - The Mayor and Combined Authority have been given a 300m loan from the Government to lend to developers to support housing development. Compulsory Purchase The Mayor and Combined Authority will have compulsory purchase powers. 3

5 Mayoral Development Corporations The Mayor will be able to propose that particular areas should be included in a Mayoral Development Corporation. The Mayor will need the agreement of the relevant local council and the agreement of two thirds of combined authority members. Education, Skills and Employment Apprenticeship Grant for Employers - The Mayor and combined authority will have control of the Apprenticeship Grant for Employers. Adult education budget The Combined authority will take responsibility for the Adult Education Budget in their area from September Work and Health Programme - The Combined Authority will receive funding to design and agree the contract for the Work and Health Programme in Greater Manchester. Life Chances Fund - The Combined Authority will be able to bring together a number of different budgets to support the life chances of troubled individuals Health and Social Care Power and funding for health and social care in Greater Manchester has not been given directly to the Mayor or Combined Authority. Instead, control of 6bn of health and social care spending spent in Greater Manchester will be ceded to the Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership. The Partnership includes representatives from the Combined Authority, local councils, NHS England and healthcare providers. As a member of the partnership through the Combined Authority, the Mayor will have a say in the running of health and social care in Greater Manchester. Policing, Crime and Emergency Services The Mayor will take over the main powers and responsibilities of the local Police and Crime Commissioner. They will set and approve an annual Police and Crime Plan, set the Council Tax precept to fund policing, and make decisions relating to the appointment of Chief Constables. The Mayor will also have responsibility for fire and rescue services. The Mayor will set out a plan and budget and will be able appoint the Chief Fire Officer and senior management team. Greater Manchester s Mayor will also have a role in the local criminal justice, including: a greater role in the commissioning of offender management services and greater influence over youth justice. 4

6 Labour s Andy Burnham set out his policies in Our Manifesto for Greater Manchester. His pledges can be summarised as follows. Greater Manchester Mayor Democracy & Governance Transport Mr Burnham has committed to a gender-balanced Combined Authority, pledged to develop new mechanisms to hold the Mayor to account and has called for the Government to establish a Brexit Committee of the Nations and Regions which would include Metro Mayors. Pledged to publish a plan to tackle congestion and introduce a Clean Air Action Plan for Greater Manchester. He will expand the Metrolink tram network and work with Rail North and train operators to improve rail services. He also called on the Government to bring forward plans for Northern Powerhouse Rail and HS2 to be built as a single integrated scheme He will use bus franchising powers to make services more affordable, more reliable and more accessible to disabled people and families with pushchairs Pledged to give all year olds in Greater Manchester a free bus pass. He will appoint an Active Travel Commissioner for Greater Manchester. Housing and Planning He will require a radical re-write of the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework to produce a plan which provides solutions to the housing crisis, manages traffic congestion, raises our ambitions for jobs and maximises the liveability of Great Manchester. Mr Burnahm will seek to renegotiate the terms of the Greater Manchester Housing Fund so it can be used to help local councils and housing associations build affordable homes. Labour s Andy Burnham was elected Greater Manchester Mayor with 359,352 first preference votes (63.4%), easily beating second placed Conservative candidate Sean Anstee, who received 128,752 votes (22.7%). Arguably the highest-profile politician among the new mayors, Mr Burnham has already had a long political career. He began his career as a Parliamentary Researcher, and later worked as a Special Adviser, before being elected to Parliament in Since then he has served in a number of Government posts including Education Secretary, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Culture Secretary and Health Secretary. Following the 2010 General Election he campaigned unsuccessfully to be Labour Leader. He then served as Shadow Education Secretary briefly before serving as Shadow Health Secretary. Following the 2015 General Election he campaigned unsuccessfully again to be Labour Leader. Following Jeremy Corbyn s victory, he served as Shadow Home Secretary. Mr Burnham remained neutral during the 2016 Labour Leadership contest, and campaigned for a remain vote in the 2016 Referendum. In August 2016 he secured the Labour nomination for the Greater Manchester Mayoral election, defeating opponents Ivan Lewis MP and interim Greater Manchester Mayor Tony Lloyd. 5

7 He pledged to establish a new Homelessness Action Network and has set a goal ending rough sleeping in Greater Manchester by Pledged to work with housing providers to establish a new Greater Manchester-wide Rent-to-Own scheme. He will introduce a voluntary registration scheme for private landlords in Greater Manchester. Pledged that new homes that are built will meet the Lifetime Homes Standard. Business Mr Burnham will establish a Mayor s Business Advisory Panel. Pledged to make the Mayor s office a Living Wage Employer. He will introduce a Greater Manchester Employer s Charter setting out the basic standards and actions expected of good businesses. He will establish a Fairness Commission to develop more detailed plans to tackle inequalities across our city region. Pledged to make Greater Manchester a world-leading Digital City-Region and to hold a Mayor s Digital and Tech Summit within the first year of the election. Education, Employment and Skills Mr Burnham pledges to establish a Greater Manchester Curriculum for Life. He will call for the introduction of a Greater Manchester Schools Commissioner and for the Mayor to have stronger influence over all aspects of education policy from He will develop a new 14+ strategy for skills in Greater Manchester, including adult learning, Pledges to deliver a revolution in technical education. Central to this will be the creation of a UCAS-style application system for apprenticeships. Mr Burnham will call for the Apprenticeship Levy to be placed under the direction of the Mayor and allows for it to be developed into a Skills Levy He will also call for much greater devolution of the Department for Work and Pensions budget. Health and Social Care Mr Burnham pledged to introduce the country s first fully-integrated National Health and Care Service and to demand a fair funding deal for Greater Manchester s NHS and social care. Pledged to make mental health a priority. Will look at retaining an NHS Bursary and introducing a new system of support for anyone who graduates from a Greater Manchester university in a clinical course and commits to working in Greater Manchester NHS. 6

8 Policing, Crime and Emergency Services Mr Burnham has pledged to protect the police force from cuts, recruit more police officers, protect neighbourhood policing and prioritise staff presence on public transport in the evenings. Energy and Environment He will introduce a Clean Air Action Plan for Greater Manchester. Through the Greater Manchester Minerals Policy, the Mayor will propose a presumption of a ban on fracking across our city-region. 7

9 The West Midlands Mayor will chair the West Midlands Combined Authority. There are seven local councils which are constituent (or full) members of the Combined Authority: Birmingham, Dudley, Coventry, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall and Wolverhampton. There are also a number of other local councils who are non-constituent (or associate) members of the Combined Authority. The West Midlands Mayor only represents residents who live in the area covered by constituent councils and their powers only apply in this area. The Mayor will be supported by a Cabinet consisting of the leaders of the 10 local authorities who make up the combined authority. Each member of the Cabinet will have a portfolio of responsibilities. Budget and Finance Local authorities comprising the West Midlands Combined Authority, with council control by party as of May The Mayor will be required to set a budget for mayoral functions. The Combined Authority can amend the budget if supported by two thirds of members. The main source of the Mayor s funding will come from a Single Pot of funding from the Government that can be spent on different projects to support the local economy. The Single Pot is made up of several different budgets including an investment fund grant worth 36.5m per year (worth 1.095bn over 30 years). The Mayor and Combined authority will be able to add a precept to Council Tax bills. They will also pilot 100% business rates retention. Transport Local Transport Plan The Mayor will have responsibility for setting a Local Transport Plan for the area. This Plan will need the agreement of two thirds of members of the Combined Authority. As part of the Single Pot the Mayor will control a consolidated transport budget. Bus Franchising - The Mayor will be able to introduce bus franchising in the combined authority area. Key Route Network - The Mayor and combined authority will be able to set up a Key Route Network of the most important local roads. Housing and Planning Compulsory Purchase The Mayor and Combined Authority will have compulsory purchase powers. Mayoral Development Corporations The Mayor will be able to propose that particular areas should be included in a Mayoral Development Corporation. The Mayor will need the 8

10 agreement of the relevant local council and the agreement of two thirds of combined authority members. West Midlands Mayor Education, Skills and Employment Adult education budget The Combined authority will take responsibility for the Adult Education Budget in their area from September Work and Health Programme - The Government have agreed to co-design the Work and Health Programme with the Combined Authority. The programme will provide specialist help for job seekers who have health conditions and disabilities and the long term unemployed. Conservative Andy Street narrowly won the West Midlands Mayoral election on 4 May 2017, securing 238,628 first and second preference votes (50.4%) compared to second placed Labour Candidate Sion Simon, who secured 234,862 votes (49.6%). Conservative Andy Street set out his policies in Andy Street s Renewal Plan for the West Midlands. He also published Andy Street s Digital Plan for the West Midlands. Please see below a summary of his pledges. Democracy & Governance Transport Mr Street has pledged to publish a report card on how the West Midlands is doing every three months and hold Ask Andy public meetings every three months. He will launch a Finance Commission, will explore potential future financing initiatives and will agree second and third devolution deals with the Government. To tackle congestion he has pledged to create a hit-list of traffic black spots to fix, make sure road works are co-ordinated, explore a scheme to make the M6 Toll free during serious incidents on the M6 but he ruled out introducing a congestion charge. He pledged to introduce a Clean Ait Zone, including charging polluting heavy vehicles to enter the zone. Mr Street s win was seen as a huge win for the Conservative Party, in an area that traditionally votes Labour. Speaking after his election he said his victory was the beginning of a "new, urban Conservative agenda". Before securing the Conservative nomination for West Midlands Mayor, Mr Street served as Managing Director of the John Lewis from 2007 to He joined John Lewis as a trainee in 1985, having harboured unsuccessful ambitions to be a social worker. Mr Street worked his way through the hierarchy to become managing director of John Lewis Milton Keynes in 1993, moving to Bluewater in 1998, where he was promoted to Supply Chain Manager in From 2011 to 2016 he served as Chair of the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership and will therefore have experience of working with some of the local council leaders he will be working with as Mayor. During his election campaign he promised to turn the Wet Midlands into Britain s economic powerhouse. 9

11 Mr Street has pledged to extend the Midland Metro tram, re-open a number of rail lines and to push Network Rail and rail operators to increase the number of trains to ease overcrowding. Mr Street pledged to increase spending on cycling forty-fold to 10 per head. On buses he pledged to protect free buses for older people, accelerate the roll out of smart ticketing, review bus lanes and review ticket prices every year with bus companies. Mr Street does not support bus franchising but he said he would explore whether launching a mutual Park and Ride or bus service owned by its employees, would be feasible for the West Midlands. While supporting better connectivity to Birmingham Airport he is against a second runway at Birmingham airport. Housing and Planning Mr Street is committed to building on brownfield first to protect the greenbelt. He would work with councils to compile a register of brownfield sites and spend 200m on the preparation and decontamination of brownfield sites. Pledge to work with Government and councils to release public sector land and work with neighbouring councils to identify sites for building. He would measures to speed up housebuilding, such as a tax on vacant land being held for development and would review rules on housing density. Mr Street would work with local authorities and housing associations to encourage new mixed housing developments with more affordable housing. To tackle empty homes he will push local authorities to bring more empty homes back into use and make it easier for developers to convert buildings. Pledged to Train a new Mayor s Army of skilled construction workers. Mr Street would launch a Rough Sleeping taskforce. Business He pledged to champion the needs of the West Midlands in Brexit negotiations. Mr Street said he would make sure small and medium-sized businesses have a fair chance at bidding for goods or services commissioned under the Mayor s control and work to make business support schemes easier to access. Pledged to create a Future High Streets Taskforce. Mr Street said he would create a Mayor s Digital Skills Institute, ensure access to superfast broadband for every business and household and explore free wifi in town centres. He pledged to support a number of sectors including manufacturing, the automotive sector, professional services and the Life Sciences Industry. Education, Skills and Employment Pledged to reduce youth unemployment rate in the West Midlands to zero. Mr Street pledged to support local authorities trying to raise standards in schools, encourage as much school choice as possible and to make sure there is funding available for everyone to learn English. 10

12 Mr Street will use procurement rules to make businesses provide employment or training opportunities to young people. He will also encourage employers to offer retrunships. He will launch a Mayor s Mentor s scheme and explore whether a West Midlands All Age Careers Service could be created. Pledge to extend the Work Coaches programme across the entire West Midlands area. He will create a West Midlands Skills Fund using m from the Apprenticeship levy. He will seek further funding for apprenticeships form Government, such as the Apprenticeship levy Health and Social Care Mr Street will use Government funding to pilot initiatives such as the Wellbeing Premium pilot. Pledge to personally chair the West Midlands Well-Being Board to put the recommendations of the West Midlands Mental Health Commission into action. He also called for a Zero Suicide Ambition to prevent suicides in the region. He will explore whether the mutual model could be applied to social care providers. Policing and Emergency Services Mr Street will work with the Police and Crime Commissioner and the Chief Constable to tackle crime and call for more powers to tackle anti-social behaviour on public transport. He will call for the Mayor to take over the responsibilities of the Police and Crime Commissioner in 2020, in time for the second mayoral term. 11

13 The Liverpool City Region Mayor will chair the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority. The Liverpool City Region Mayor is a separate role to that of the Mayor of Liverpool who will continue to have responsibility for running Liverpool City Council. The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority is a partnership of six local authorities: Halton, Kowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens and Wirral. The Mayor will be supported by the leaders of the six councils in the region, each of whom will have a clear portfolio of responsibilities. Budget and Finance Transport The Mayor will be required to set a budget for mayoral functions. The Combined Authority can amend the budget if supported by two thirds of members. Local authorities comprising the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, with council control by party as of May The main source of the Mayor s funding will come from a Single Pot of funding from the Government that can be spent on different projects to support the local economy. The Single Pot is made up of several different budgets including an investment fund grant worth 30m each year ( 900m over 30 years). The Mayor and Combined authority will be able to add a precept to Council Tax bills. They will also pilot 100% business rates retention. Local Transport Plan The Mayor will have responsibility for setting a Local Transport Plan for the area. This Plan will need the agreement two thirds of members of the Combined Authority. As part of the Single Pot the Mayor will control a consolidated transport budget. Bus Franchising - The Mayor will be able to introduce bus franchising in the combined authority area. Key Route Network - The Mayor and combined authority will be able to set up a Key Route Network of the most important local roads. The Key Route Network can be rejected by a two thirds majority of members of the combined authority. Housing and Planning Strategic Plan- The Mayor will be responsible for preparing a spatial development strategy for the area. This plan will need the approval of all members of the Combined Authority. Important Planning Applications The Mayor will be consulted on planning applications of strategic importance and will be able deicide the outcome of the application. 12

14 Compulsory Purchase The Mayor and Combined Authority will have compulsory purchase powers. Mayoral Development Corporations The Mayor will be able to propose that particular areas should be included in a Mayoral Development Corporation. The Mayor will need the agreement of the relevant local council and the agreement of two thirds of combined authority members. Liverpool City Region Mayor Education, Skills and Employment Apprenticeship Grant for Employers - The Mayor and combined authority will have control of the Apprenticeship Grant for Employers. Adult education budget The Combined authority will take responsibility for the Adult Education Budget in their area from September Work and Health Programme - The Government have agreed to co-design the Work and Health Programme with the Combined Authority. The programme will provide specialist help for job seekers who have health conditions and disabilities and the long term unemployed. Labour s Steve Rotheram published a manifesto entitled Our Future Together. Please see below a summary of his pledges. Democracy & Governance Mr Rotheram has pledged to establish effective scrutiny structures with representation from every borough, every political group and key civic stakeholders. He will establish a Fairness and Social Justice Advisory Board to review every aspect of the Mayor s and combined authority policy and practice. Will press for more freedom and autonomy to fund infrastructure projects and greater control of local taxes. Labour s Steve Rotheram was elected Liverpool City Region Mayor with 171,167 first preference votes (59.3%), easily defeating second placed Conservative candidate Tony Caldeira who secured 58,805 (20.4%). A former bricklayer and self-made construction entrepreneur, Mr Rotherham is a former Lord Mayor of Liverpool, and represented Fazakerley ward on Liverpool City Council from 2002 until He was first elected as an MP in the 2010 General Election. During his time as MP he served on the Communities and Local Government Committee and the Culture, Media and Sport Committee and in October 2015 was appointment as PPS to Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn. Mr Rotheram supported Andy Burnham in the 2010 and 2015 Labour leadership elections and he has also pledged to work with the new Greater Manchester Mayor on issue that affect both areas. He voted Remain in the EU Referendum. In August 2016 he was selected as Labour s candidate for Liverpool City Region Mayor, defeating Liverpool City Council Mayor Joe Anderson and Luciana Berger MP. The key themes of election campaign were for the Liverpool City Region to be ambitious, fair, green and better connected. 13

15 Transport Pledged to use bus franchising powers to commit to clean electric or hydrogen buses from Mr Rotheram said he would explore concessionary travel passes for new apprentices and other affordable fares and targeted concessions. Pledged to introduce new rail services and expand the number of Merseyrail services. Mr Rotherham will work to ensure that Liverpool has a direct connection to HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail. He committed to delivering a walking and cycling strategy. Pledged to support the Port of Liverpool with infrastructure investment and better transport connections to the Port. Housing and Planning In the first 100 days he will convene a housing summit which will include scoping the role for a City Region wide vehicle to deliver new homes to rent and buy and other affordable tenures. He will use planning and housing powers to encourage better use of brownfield land, promote good design and improve attractiveness of neighbourhoods across City Region. Pledged to launch a Metro Mayor s Housing Challenge Competition to identify and pilot new ways to meet out housing needs. He will work with local authorities to tackle poor quality rented accommodation and empty homes. Business Mr Rotheram said one of his first actions will be to commission the City Region s first Strategic Economic Review. Pledged to establish a City Region Fair Employment Charter that recognises businesses that meet certan standards. He will use smart procurement procedures, supply chain management and local labour clauses in combined authority contracts to maximise social value and economic benefits. He will also use influence to foster similar policies and principles across public sector procurement in the City Region. He will introduce an annual Innovation Award to encourage advancements in the high-tech and knowledge sectors. Pledges to develop and implement a digital inclusion strategy and lobby Government and network providers for investment to improve broadband. Education, Skills and Employment Pledges to support the work of Local Education Authorities to improve education standards and will encourage greater collaboration and innovation to deal with educational underachievement. He will establish a new Independent Careers Service. 14

16 Mr Rotheram calls for region wide imitative to give people a second chance at education and training He committed to being a Real Living Wage employer. Pledge to roll out gold standard and degree-level apprenticeships and to develop an easily accessible apprentices portal for people to apply for apprenticeships online across the City Region. He will press Government to devolve further powers relating to the year old and adult skills budgets and to ensure that underspend from the Apprenticeship Levy is ring fenced for the Mayor. Mr Rotherham calls for the Department for Work and Pensions to give the City Region its own contract package under the new Work and Health Programme. Energy and Environment Pledged to create a Liverpool City Region Renewable Energy Company. Mr Rotheram will develop a strategy aimed at becoming a zero-carbon city by 2040 and develop a solar energy strategy, Pledged to establish a green energy investment fund to promote renewable and community energy Health and Social Care Mr Rotheram has pledged to convene a City Region health and social care summit. 15

17 The West of England Mayor will chair the West of England Combined Authority. The West of England Mayor is a separate role to that of the Mayor of Bristol who will continue to have responsibility for running Bristol City Council. The West of England Combined Authority is a partnership of three local authorities: Bath & North East Somerset, Bristol and South Gloucestershire. The Mayor will be supported by a Cabinet consisting of the leaders of the 3 local councils. Each member of the Cabinet will have a portfolio of responsibilities. Budget and Finance Transport The Mayor will be required to set a budget for mayoral functions. The Combined Authority can amend the budget if supported by two thirds of members. Local authorities comprising the West of England Combined Authority, with council control by party as of May The main source of the Mayor s funding will come from a Single Pot of funding from the Government that can be spent on different projects to support the local economy. The Single Pot is made up of several different budgets including an investment fund grant 30m per year (worth 900m over 30 years). They will also pilot 100% business rates retention. Local Transport Plan The Mayor will have responsibility for setting a Local Transport Plan for the area. This Plan will need the support of the Mayor and two other members of the Combined Authority. As part of the Single Pot the Mayor will control a consolidated transport budget. Bus Franchising - The Mayor will be able to introduce bus franchising in the combined authority area. Key Route Network - The Mayor and combined authority will be able to set up a Key Route Network of the most important local roads. Housing and Planning Strategic Plan - The Mayor will be responsible for preparing a spatial development strategy for the area. This plan will need the approval of all members of the Combined Authority. Important Planning Applications The Mayor will be consulted on planning applications of strategic importance and will be able deicide the outcome of the application. Compulsory Purchase The Mayor and Combined Authority will have compulsory purchase powers. 16

18 Mayoral Development Corporations The Mayor will be able to propose that particular areas should be included in a Mayoral Development Corporation. The Mayor will need the agreement of the relevant local council and the agreement of two thirds of combined authority members. West of England Mayor Education, Skills and Employment Apprenticeship Grant for Employers - The Mayor and combined authority will have control of the Apprenticeship Grant for Employers. Adult education budget The Combined authority will take responsibility for the Adult Education Budget in their area from September Work and Health Programme - The Government have agreed to co-design the Work and Health Programme with the Combined Authority. The programme will provide specialist help for job seekers who have health conditions and disabilities and the long term unemployed. Conservative Time Bowles was elected West of England Mayor on 4th May with 70,300 first and second preference votes (51.6%). Second placed Labour candidate Lesley Mansell secured 65,923 votes (48.4%). Mr Bowles has served as a South Gloucestershire Councillor since 2010, and was a member of the senior leadership team of the controlling Conservative Group. He has worked as a business development manager for the events and exhibitions company RTH and has also served as a governor of a school form 2003 and Conservative Tim Bowles did not publish a manifesto during the election campaign. The following information is based on press releases and social media output from Mr Bowles, as well as press reports. Transport During his campaign Mr Bowles successfully appealed to voters outside of Bristol, warning that if a Labour candidate won the mayoral race, areas outside of Bristol would be ignored. In the first round of voting he finished in third place in Bristol behind Labour and the Liberal Democrats. He is a strong supporter of new roads and during the campaign supported the A36/A46 link road to bypass Bath, M4 Junction 18a and link road and improvements to the A4 Bath road. To tackle air pollution he is a supporter of clean air zones but has also said new road projects and help remove HGVs from city centres. He has called for reviving suburban rail services in the West of England, including new rail services and new rail stations. He pledged to use bus franchising powers to develop an improved strategic bus network and has called for integrated smart ticketing across all modes of transport. He was also keen to stress during his campaign that he was the only candidate who could work with a Conservative Government, Conservative MPs and Conservative Council s to deliver for the West of England. 17

19 Housing and Planning Mr Bowles supports building on brownfield land rather than the greenbelt: As Mayor I will work to ease the pressure for green field development and the Green Belt. Too often green field development has been the easy option when brownfield regeneration sites haven t been exhausted. He has opposed the development of the Buckover Garden Village near Thornberry. Business, Education, Skills and Employment Mr Bowles has pledged to do everything I can to support small businesses, and the enterprising and hardworking people who run them, to help them flourish. He has pledged to work with the Government to develop apprenticeship schemes across the area. 18

20 The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Mayor will chair Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, a partnership of local authorities in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough: Cambridgeshire County Council, Cambridge City Council, East Cambridgeshire, Fenland, Huntingdonshire, South Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. The Mayor will be supported by a Cabinet consisting of the leaders of the local councils. Each member of the Cabinet will have a portfolio of responsibilities. Budget and Finance The Mayor will be required to set a budget for mayoral functions. The Combined Authority can amend the budget if supported by two thirds of members. The main source of the Mayor s funding will come from a Single Pot of funding from the Government that can be spent on different projects to support the local economy. The Single Local authorities comprising Cambridge and Peterborough Combined Authority, with council control by party as of May Pot is made up of several different budgets including an investment fund grant 20m per year (worth 600m over 30 years) Transport Local Transport Plan The Mayor will have responsibility for setting a Local Transport Plan for the area. This Plan will need the support of the Mayor and two other members of the Combined Authority. As part of the Single Pot the Mayor will control a consolidated transport budget. Bus Franchising - The Mayor will be able to introduce bus franchising in the combined authority area. Key Route Network - The Mayor and combined authority will be able to set up a Key Route Network of the most important local roads. Housing and Planning Housing Fund and Grant The combined authority will have control of a 100m housing and infrastructure fund and has been granted 70m for additional hosing in the City of Cambridge. Strategic Plan - The Mayor will be responsible for preparing a non-statutory spatial framework for the area. The spatial framework will need the unanimous approval of combined authority members. 19

21 Mayoral Development Corporations The Mayor will be able to propose that particular areas should be included in a Mayoral Development Corporation. The Mayor will need the agreement of the relevant local council and the agreement of two thirds of combined authority members. Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Mayor Education, Skills and Employment Apprenticeship Grant for Employers - The Mayor and combined authority will have control of the Apprenticeship Grant for Employers. Adult education budget The Combined authority will take responsibility for the Adult Education Budget in their area from September Work and Health Programme - The Government have agreed to co-design the Work and Health Programme with the Combined Authority. The programme will provide specialist help for job seekers who have health conditions and disabilities and the long term unemployed. Conservative James Palmer comfortably won the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Mayoral election with 88,826 first and second preference votes (56.9%) compared to second place Liberal Democrat Rod Cantrill who secured 67,205 (43.1%). Mr Palmer has been involved in local politics since 2007, recently serving as Leader of East Cambridgeshire District Council and as a Cambridgeshire County Council. He has a professional background in farming and used to run a dairy business. Conservative James Palmer did not publish a manifesto during the election campaign. However, following his election to the mayoralty he published a strategy outlining his plans for his first 100 days in power. Finance Transport In first 100 days he will launch the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Investment Fund, publish an investment strategy and bring forward the first series of investment for delivery. In first 100 days he will publish a Local Transport Plan, announce the first tranche of funding for priority transport and infrastructure schemes and hold a Future Transport Conference. Pledged to commission business cases for dualling the A47 and upgrading the A10 and launch a feasibility study for extending the M11 to the A47 in first 100 days. He was selected as the Conservative candidate for Mayor in January 2017, defeating Councillor Steve Count, leader of Cambridgeshire County Council and Cllr Roger Harrison, executive member for growth at Huntingdonshire District Council. Following his election he said What we have in Cambridgeshire is almost unique. We have the building blocks of success - we just need somebody to put them together. Improving the infrastructure, linking the great city of Cambridge to Peterborough and bringing Fenland into the fold will be absolutely vital if we are to be a success. 20

22 Mr Palmer will commission a feasibility study for the Light Rail and Underground for Cambridge in his first 100 days. He will work with the National Infrastructure Commission to promote investment in the Cambridge-Oxford Arc, including the A428. He has pledged to work with Infrastructure Commission to promote investment into the Cambridge Network Rail to advance strategic rail priorities for our area. Mr Palmer will commission a feasibility study together with the Local Enterprise Partnerships to assess the infrastructure requirements needed to unlock Wisbeh Garden Town and will develop a Masterplan for St Neots. Mr Palmer has ruled out congestion charging. During the campaign he expressed support for shuttle min-buses acting as a feeder for other forms of transport and expressed support for autonomous vehicles. Housing and Planning In first 100 days he will commission the Non Statutory Spatial Plan for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, form a Land Commission and map the needs of communities so that strategic plans tackle disadvantage throughout the area. In first 100 days he will announce the first wave of affordable housing schemes, commence consultation on a Mayoral Housing Fund, launch the development of a strategy to accelerate delivery of 100,000 new homes and lead a Building for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Conference. Pledged to commission a feasibility study to consider how off-site construction methods can be used to speed up housing delivery. He will promote Community Land Trusts. During the campaign he said Only in exceptional circumstances will councils be allowed to alter Green Belt boundaries after consulting local people and submitting revised Local Plans for examination. He has identified the key barrier to housebuilding is increasing the speed homes are built once planning permission is granted. Pledged to make the planning system more open, improve the co-ordination of public investment in infrastructure, support timely connections to utilities, and tackle unnecessary delays by giving councils and developers the tools they need to build more swiftly. Business, Education, Skills and Employment Mr Palmer has pledged to establish an independent Economic Commission and commission work to develop a plan for sustained economic growth of Greater Peterborough and Greater Cambridge and He will work with the Local Enterprise Partnership to develop a plan for inward investment post Brexit. He supports the establishment of a university in Peterborough and pledged to announce the next phase of funding in the first 100 days. Pledged to launch plans for a new Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Apprenticeship Hub and will deliver over 500 apprenticeships to Small and Medium Enterprises in the first 100 days. 21

23 Mr Palmer will meet schools, colleges and Ofsted to consider a flagship Into Apprenticeships policy. He will host an Employment and Skills Summit. Pledge to develop a scheme to develop a scheme to provide skills to support 2,000 people on Universal Credit into higher skilled health and social care jobs. During the campaign he pledged to create business growth and spread the Silicon Fen effect out of Cambridge into the whole county and build a CB brand which is recognised globally. Policing, Crime and Emergency Services He has called for Cleveland Police to end in its current form and has committed to establishing a commission to make recommendations to ministers on finding or establishing a successor body that could adequately replace it. Transport Mr Palmer has called for a new underground metro system in Cambridge with a light railway extending into Cambridgeshire. He has supported upgrades to rail infrastructure and the creation of new train stations. Pledged to improve roads in the area including upgrading the A10 and looking options for dulling the A47. Mr Palmer has ruled out congestion charging. While he is more in favour of rail services he has suggested using luxury coaches where we need to use roads. He is supportive of shuttle minibuses acting as a feeder for other forms of transport and he is supportive of autonomous vehicles. Housing and Planning Mr Palmer has said Only in exceptional circumstances will councils be allowed to alter Green Belt boundaries after consulting local people and submitting revised Local Plans for examination. He has identified the key barrier to housebuilding is increasing the speed homes are built once planning permission is granted. Mr Palmer has said Community Land Trusts will play a part in his housing plans. Pledged to make the planning system more open, improve the co-ordination of public investment in infrastructure, support timely connections to utilities, and tackle unnecessary delays by giving councils and developers the tools they need to build more swiftly. Business Pledged to create business growth and spread the Silicon Fen effect out of Cambridge into the whole county and build a CB brand which is recognised globally. On Brexit he has said a key priority for me will be ensuring that we grab with both hands the opportunities presented by the Prime Minister's Global Britain agenda and achieve our true potential as a county. 22

24 Education, Skills and Employment Mr Palmer fully supports the establishment of a university in Peterborough. He has argued for greater esteem for apprenticeships and has suggested school should get league table points for getting young people into apprenticeships. 23

25 The Tees Valley Mayor will chair the Tees Valley Combined Authority, a partnership of three five local authorities: Darlington, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar & Cleveland and Stockton-on-Tees. The Mayor will be supported by a Cabinet consisting of the leaders of the 5 local councils. Each member of the Cabinet will have a portfolio of responsibilities. Budget and Finance The Mayor will be required to set a budget for mayoral functions. The Combined Authority can amend the budget if supported by three fifths of members. The main source of the Mayor s funding will come from a Single Pot of funding from the Government that can be spent on different projects Local authorities comprising Tees Valley Combined Authority, with council control by party as of May to support the local economy. The Single Pot is made up of several different budgets including an investment fund grant worth 15 each year ( 450m over 30 years). The Mayor and Combined authority will be able to add a precept to Council Tax bills. Transport Local Transport Plan The Mayor will have responsibility for setting a Local Transport Plan for the area. This Plan will need the agreement three fifths of members of the Combined Authority. As part of the Single Pot the Mayor will control a consolidated transport budget. Bus Franchising - The Mayor will be able to introduce bus franchising in the combined authority area. Key Route Network - The Mayor and combined authority will be able to set up a Key Route Network of the most important local roads. Housing and Planning Mayoral Development Corporations The Mayor will be able to propose that particular areas should be included in a Mayoral Development Corporation. The Mayor will need the agreement of the relevant local council and the agreement of two thirds of combined authority members. Education, Skills and Employment Apprenticeship Grant for Employers - The Mayor and combined authority will have control of the Apprenticeship Grant for Employers. 24

26 Adult education budget The Combined authority will take responsibility for the Adult Education Budget in their area from September Work and Health Programme - The Government have agreed to co-design the Work and Health Programme with the Combined Authority. The programme will provide specialist help for job seekers who have health conditions and disabilities and the long term unemployed. Conservative Ben Houchen did not publish a manifesto during the election campaign. The following information is based on press releases and social media output form Mr Houcen, as well as press reports. Transport One of Mr Houchen s most eye catching policies has been to buy back Durham Tees Valley Airport. He has said he will use funding provided by the Government to raise additional money to purchase the airport. He has said compulsory purchase would be a "last resort" but there are plenty of options available, for example "public private partnerships". He is opposed to bus franchising. Housing and Planning Mr Houchen has pledged to build a new garden village or a new town. He has pledged to secure additional funding to bring brownfield sites back into use. He has called for a proper local plan to be drawn up to stop "towns being attacked by ad-hoc planning applications by developers". Tees Velley Mayor In the most shocking mayoral election result of May 2017, Conservative Ben Houchen secured 48,578 first and second preference votes (51.2%) to defeat Labour candidate and favourite Sue Jeffery, who secured 46,400 votes (48.9%), and thus went on to become Tees Valley Mayor. The result has been attributed to the area s strong vote in favour of leaving the EU, but also a number of eye-catching policies from Mr Houchen, such as buying Durham Tees Valley Airport and campaigning to ensure protected status for the Chicken Parmesan or "parmo". From 2011 to 2017, he served as a Stockton Councillor and as Leader of the Conservative Group on the Council. He has previously stood in the Middlesbrough by-election on the 29th November, following the death of incumbent MP Sir Stuart Bell, finishing fourth with 6.3% of vote. He also contested the 2014 European Parliament election for the North East region. During his victory speech Mr Houchen said: "We are seeing a massive trend towards the Conservatives [ ] We have started to turn the Tees Valley blue". Education, Skills and Employment He said improving skills and the further education was a top priority. He has also bemoaned the dizzying profusion of grants and programmes for firms trying to access training funding and talented graduates, which he feels are making these policies unworkable. 25

27 He has praised the Government s response to the closure of the SSI steelworks plant and has emphasised the importance of the South Tees Development Corporation. Policing, Crime and Emergency Services He has called for Cleveland Police to end in its current form and has committed to establishing a commission to make recommendations to ministers on finding or establishing a successor body that could adequately replace it. 26