This year Bath residents will be voting in a referendum to decide whether B&NES Council is run by an elected mayor, or whether it would be better to stick with the current system of having a ‘Leader and Cabinet’ running the Council.
Ben Howlett, Bath’s MP, has run surveys on local issues before, such as on the future of Bath Magistrates’ Court and Bath’s seagulls problem, and this new survey will help canvass local opinion on all aspects of the mayoral referendum.
Ben has made his reservations clear about the possibility of an elected mayor before, but he would like to see what local residents think on the issue.
Ben said: “I am concerned that an elected mayor is not appropriate for an area as diverse as BANES and that it could lead to an increase in the cost of local politics.
“However, it is really important that I fully engage with local residents on the issue.
“My previous surveys have gone really well, collecting well over 1,000 responses each, and they are a great way to hear a wide spread of opinion.
“I am not just interested on whether residents are going to vote for or against the proposal, but also what aspects of a mayoral system they will benefit or detriment Bath residents.
“Using these responses, I will work with the Council to improve our system of local governance, regardless of the outcome of the referendum.”
Local residents can respond to Ben’s survey through his website (www.ben4bath.co.uk) or through https://benhowlett.typeform.com/to/Cxmn8q.
