Elected mayor is "excellent opportunity" for Leicester
Plans to allow Leicester residents to vote in a directly elected mayor have been given the go-ahead despite a victory margin of just 13 votes. Of the 774 votes which were cast online, 357 acknowledged their preference for a directly elected mayor, while 344 voted against proposals. Martin Traynor, chief executive of the Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce, told Insider that the move was “an excellent opportunity for Leicester”.
The remainder of the votes were cast as undecided or gave an alternative suggestion to the proposals.
Residents were invited to cast their votes on the proposals during over 17 days. The election is now expected to take place in May next year, alongside the council elections.
Traynor said: “It’s a great prospect for the city. Under the coalition government’s new proposals, having an elected mayor will allow the city to have more say on regeneration, education and spending – it’s an excellent opportunity.”
The elected mayor will have responsibility for directing the council's staff, of which there are currently about 16,000, and delegate the organisation’s £500m budget.
Both the current coalition government and the previous Labour government said they want major cities, including Leicester, to consider changing the way they are run and to look at the pros and cons of having an elected mayor. Currently there are 13 elected mayors in England.
Currently, no councillors have put themselves up for the post indefinitely.
President-elect of the Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce Rick Moore has indicated he would like to stand as an independent candidate. But the chamber's policy manager Max Boden told Insider he would like a city-wide referendum on Leicester having an elected mayor before plans are put in motion.
Council leader Vijay Patel has reportedly said that he is “undecided” whether to stand for the position or not. Any councillor who is elected into the post would be expected to resign from their council seat, said the council.
The decision is expected to be officially approved at a full council meeting next Tuesday 22 December.
