A survey conducted by the MP for Bath, Ben Howlett, into residents’ views on an elected Mayor has found that 71% of those asked are opposed to the introduction of an elected Mayor for the B&NES area.
The main reasons given for this opposition are concerns about whether an elected Mayor can be held to account and the reduction in influence of local councillors.
These were closely followed by concerns about how partisan an elected Mayor may be and support for the existing system of a Council Leader.
Ben said: “My views are widely known that I do not believe an elected Mayor for Bath & North East Somerset (B&NES) is the right thing for the people of Bath.
“Less than a year from an election which saw our new councillors elected I very much hope they will have the opportunity to progress their manifesto commitments, unhindered by another layer of bureaucracy with an elected Mayor.
“Centralising decision making across an area as large and diverse as B&NES will inevitably detatch decision making from local communities.
“It will also remove influence from local councillors who understand their local areas well and were only last year elected to represent these communities.
“My online survey and doorstep conversations clearly show the majority of Bath residents agree with me that an elected Mayor is not right for B&NES.”
However, the Mayor for B&NES campaign are now taking matters into their own hands after recent criticism levied at the council from Ben Howlett regarding the lack of information about the upcoming referendum.
“We are looking to have more posters and leaflets printed and to try and play a more visible role in the High Streets, not only in Bath but in the other towns and villages in North East Somerset – Midsomer Norton, Keynsham and Radstock for example,” said Stephen Taylor and Van Du Bose who have even taken to the streets with sandwich boards.
“It does feel slightly embarrassing at first but people do notice you and smile and it is then quite easy to then engage with people.”
The committee realise that this is only part of the answer. In order to communicate to a wider Bath and North East Somerset audience they have also re-launched their website.
There is now a news section to keep people up to date about various Husting style events that are being arranged, to gather further support and to keep people up to date with information and the current arguments that surround the campaign.
Philip Raby, Chairman of Mayor for B&NES, said: “We wholeheartedly agree with Ben Howlett’s concern about the lack of awareness of the referendum on March 10th on whether or not to have an elected mayor for B&NES.
“Given that it was the Council who chose that date rather than allow more time for a campaign and arrange it at the same time as the Police Commissioner election in May, it is surely essential that B&NES Council takes every possible step to ensure that as many people as possible know that there is a referendum and the details of what is at stake when they vote.”
“We are doing our utmost to inform voters about the referendum, but we rely on our volunteers.
“We don’t have the resources that the Council has, or the distribution network of the political parties. In a democracy, it is vital that people know what is happening and how to register their wishes.”
A crowdfunder has also been launched and the campaign are hoping for greater backing with funding and volunteers to try and get their leaflets into as many homes as possible in the Bath and North East Somerset area.
If you would like to donate or want know more, visit: www.mayorforbanes.org.
