An "Elected" Mayor.
 

Arising from a few threads; bins, the bed settee, town centre regeneration etc, it struck me that this might be something worth a second look. London has an Elected Mayor in Ken Livingstone, and whether you approve of him or not he does appear to be getting things moving. I am sure that Tealeaf will want to add something here.

Perhaps an Elected Mayor is a way out of the small-minded "little" thinking that currently plagues HBC. I know that the project for "Elected Mayors" was once close to the heart of the Deputy Prime Minister, perhaps if we were to indicate our willingness to elect one, there might be a range of funding available that would not otherwise come our way.
Just a thought....

What do you think?

Re: An "Elected" Mayor.
 

It's a blinder of an idea!



When can I start?

Re: An "Elected" Mayor.
 

Right, that's two of us in agreement, any more?

Re: An "Elected" Mayor.
 

on a more serious note, I do think it's a good idea, but don't we already have a mayor?

I'm sure I saw them at the CAMRA beer festival in the town hall... Or maybe that was the Delerium Tremens.

Re: An "Elected" Mayor.
 

Yes, we do already have a Mayor, but he is a councillor just like all the rest and has no special or extra powers. It is a purely ceremonial function and he acts as the Queen's representative in the Borough and the honour is conferred on someone different every year. An Elected Mayor, on the other hand, would have executive powers and would be elected for a longer term.

Re: An "Elected" Mayor.
 

Would anyone be willing to take on such a role?

Are we talking about something like the American type mayor?

I'm all in favour of anything to shake up HBC and get a different outlook on things.

Re: An "Elected" Mayor.
 

Have a look at this from the BBC, there are links at the bottom of the page to related stories.

http://newswww.bbc.net.uk/2/low/uk_n...cs/3512681.stm

Re: An "Elected" Mayor.
 

After reading that Bob I have to say I'm even more so in favour of your idea. I even think it warrants further attention either from ourselves or at the least some other Accringtonians, has anyone propositioned HBC with this as yet?

It would probably shape up the town somewhat, has to be better than our councils retarded ideologies anyway..

Re: An "Elected" Mayor.
 

If memory serves, the Idiot-in-Chief is dead set against it. Well, he would be...wouldn't he?

Re: An "Elected" Mayor.
 

The argument for an elected mayor is overwhelming; the argument against is Ken Livingstone. Britcliffe is to Nelson Mandela what Ken Livingstone is to Saddam Hussein, I'm afraid.

Possibly a better example of an elected mayor is the monkey from Hartlepool. I don't remember his name, but he'd no experiance of party politics whatsoever, his prior role being the football club mascot (monkey hangers). Elected mainly in jest,this guy appears to have got things moving in Hartlepool (well, he had last time I looked).

If we look at the US, all senior positions within local government tend to be elected - mayor, sheriff, fire officer - and their system works far better than ours at far less cost.
I think the moral of the story is elect the mayor, yes - but make sure he's not a slimey politician.

Re: An "Elected" Mayor.
 

My only concern would be if PB got in!

Its fine giving power to someone but you have to remember it comes with responsibility

Re: An "Elected" Mayor.
 

Re: An "Elected" Mayor.
 

Errmmm, quite a few people did.

Re: An "Elected" Mayor.
 

This idea was on the news at lunch time......along with local councils being elected for 4 years. When I heard it I though it was a good idea, and for some reason A-B.... I thought of you!

Re: An "Elected" Mayor.
 

How very kind of you Margaret, but I cannot imagine anyone in their right mind voting for me - I wouldn't! What was it Groucho Marx said about not wanting to join any club that would have him as a member?:D

Re: An "Elected" Mayor.
 

You would certainly be better than the crew we have now.........and you would bring some sense to a nonsensical pantomime. Think about it A-B!

Re: An "Elected" Mayor.
 

Re: An "Elected" Mayor.
 

I agree that a mayoral position of some power and accountability is a good thing. It does work quite well here in America and usually local, successful business people are the ones to win the race. However, I do not agree that the chief of police and firechief should be elected offices. They are far better left to career policeman/firemen and the positions filled by persons of considerable, relevant experience.

Re: An "Elected" Mayor.
 

Here is a bit more info...

http://www.cles.org.uk/document_stor...8BAD54B%7D.pdf

Re: An "Elected" Mayor.
 

Re: An "Elected" Mayor.
 

One thing which struck me from that article and which sadly I have to agree with is that the turn out at local elections is pityful and for those that do vote they do so as a sort of comment on whoever is in power in Central Government regardless of policies of the local candidates.

Apathy.

We on AccyWeb are interested in our borough and what goes on here (or fails to go on here as the case may be) but how do you motivate others to take enough of an interest to actually want a shake up and something DONE?

Re: An "Elected" Mayor.
 

That is a good point, you only need to look at the "General Community Talk" section and see there is a lack of interest in local areas i.e. Church, Ossy, and so on. There are also the local council meetings, where people could ask questions, and get involved.
From past experience, yes it's very difficult to "get people to stand up and be counted"

Re: An "Elected" Mayor.
 

In the last local elections I did not see any of the candidates coming round and canvassing for support......and although they all sent flyers, it would have been nice for them to come around so that you could ask them questions face to face.
Maybe the apathy is because folks feel that whatever party they vote for it won't make much of a difference.

Re: An "Elected" Mayor.
 

Re: An "Elected" Mayor.
 

If these folk don't canvas, then how do they know what the feelings of the local electorate are? how do they define the issues that are causing concern?
I may have the old cynical head on, but it seems to me that they claim money under flase pretences. I think if you are going to be alocal councillor then you should not get paid. OK expenses that are incurred should be claimed, but they should be audited and that is all the councillor should get.

Re: An "Elected" Mayor.
 

I agree 100% with that, some of the cllr's are retired people, we even have a husband & wife pair up Ossy.
I think that goes for serving on any committee, if you feel strong enough about a subject, you should'nt want paying, as you say reasonable expenses only

Re: An "Elected" Mayor.
 

You never see a poor(£) politician do you?

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Re: An "Elected" Mayor.
 

I think maybe I need to get into something along those lines to top up my pension.
I'm certainly gobby enough!

Re: An "Elected" Mayor.
 

I know...... I will volunteer to be PA to A-B when he is elected Mayor!

Re: An "Elected" Mayor.
 

if we had an elected mayor it wouldnt be 5 mins before that flag will be flying high out side the town hall again like we had about 6 years ago

those of you who watch granada reports may have seen the piece they did on it ;)

Re: An "Elected" Mayor.