April 2017
t: 01454 300 400
info@bradleystokejournal.co.uk
3
News
Metro Mayor election on 4th May
V
oters in Bradley Stoke and across the wider West of England region are being called to choose a ‘Metro Mayor’ in a poll to be held on Thursday 4th May. The election follows the decision by three local councils – Bath & North East Somerset; Bristol; and South Gloucestershire – to accept a devolution deal proposed by the government. Features of the West of England devolution deal include: • Control of a new additional £30 million a year funding allocation over 30 years, to be used to boost growth in the region • Devolution of multi-year transport budgets, enabling the region to deliver transport projects with greater certainty that the funds are in place • Responsibility for the adult education budget, helping the region ensure that adult skills provision meets the needs of local
Combined authority members (from left) Marvin Rees, Cllr Tim Warren and Cllr Matthew Riddle, will soon be joined by an elected ‘Metro Mayor’
businesses and learners • Enhanced powers to speed up the delivery of new housing in line with the Joint Spatial Plan A new West of England Combined Authority was established in February 2017 to oversee the new powers. The authority’s current members are Cllr Tim Warren, leader of Bath & North East Somerset Council; Marvin Rees, Mayor of Bristol; and Cllr Matthew Riddle, leader of South Gloucestershire Council.
Following the mayoral election on Thursday 4th May, the authority will be chaired by the new West of England Mayor. Most decisions made by the authority will require the agreement of a majority of the four members – provided this includes the Mayor. As we went to press, six people had indicated their intention to stand as candidates in the mayoral election (see list, right). Nominations close on 4th April.
To advertise in this magazine or on our websites, phone The Journal’s sales team on 01454 300 400
Tim Bowles Conservative timbowles.org.uk
Aaron Foot UKIP @aaronfoot119
Darren Hall Green @DarrenHall2015
Lesley Mansell Labour @MansellForMayor
John Savage Independent @Savage4Mayor Stephen Williams Liberal Democrat @swilliamsmp