Mayor_of_West_Midlands

Mayor of the West Midlands

Mayor of the West Midlands

Chair of the West Midlands Combined Authority

The Mayor of the West Midlands is a directly elected political post who chairs the West Midlands Combined Authority, covering the Birmingham-Wolverhampton Urban Area and Coventry.

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The first election took place on Thursday 4 May 2017. Andy Street, the inaugural Mayor, was originally due to hold office for three years, with the second election for the post taking place in May 2020. This election was delayed for a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic,[3] so the inaugural mayoral term was extended by a year, with the second term length being reduced to three years between 2021 and 2024. The Mayor's term of office will return to four years from 2024 thereafter.[4]

Powers and functions

Homes and Land

The Mayor has devolved compulsory purchase powers and is responsible for the West Midlands spatial framework and land commission.

Transport

The Mayor is responsible for franchised bus services, allowing for standardised fares and branding on all bus services in the county, similar to how London's bus network operates.[5] The Mayor is also responsible for the West Midlands Key Route Network, which is managed by Transport for West Midlands on behalf of the Mayor.[6]

Devolution

The Mayor is responsible for ensuring that the first devolution deal is put into action and acts on behalf of the region in negotiating future devolution deals with central government.[7]

Police and crime commissioner

The Mayor was due to be vested with the police and crime commissioner functions for the West Midlands Police area from 7 May 2024.[8] However, the incumbent PCC applied for judicial review against the order transferring the functions which the High Court quashed the order in March 2024.[9] The Home Secretary applied for permission to appeal that decision which was refused by the Court of Appeal on 22 March 2024.[10] The Home Secretary has stated that he wishes to proceed with the transfer in the future, accusing the incumbent PCC of failed leadership in policing.[11]

List of mayors

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References

  1. [1]
    Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009, s 107A(5)
  2. [2]
    Elkes, Neil (22 February 2017). "Find out how much the West Midlands Mayor will be paid". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 27 February 2017.
  3. [3]
    Gibbons, Brett (13 March 2020). "Coronavirus forces delay to local elections with polls postponed for a year". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 16 August 2020.
  4. [4]
    "Coronavirus Act 2020". legislation.gov.uk. 25 March 2020. Retrieved 16 August 2020.
  5. [5]
    "WMCA Devolution Agreement: Key Points" (PDF). West Midlands Combined Authority. Retrieved 27 February 2017.
  6. [6]
    "Freight & Highways". Transport for West Midlands. Retrieved 27 February 2017.
  7. [7]
    "West Midlands Combined Authority - FAQs". West Midlands Combined Authority. Retrieved 27 February 2017.
  8. [8]
    "The West Midlands Combined Authority (Transfer of Police and Crime Commissioner Functions) Order 2024". legislation.gov.uk. Retrieved 14 February 2024.
  9. [9]
    "R (Police and Crime Commissioner for the West Midlands) -v- Secretary of State for the Home Department". Courts and Tribunals Judiciary. 18 March 2024. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  10. [10]
    Pilgrim, Tom (22 March 2024). "Home Office loses appeal bid over West Midlands policing powers merger ruling". Evening Standard. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  11. [11]
    Perrin, Ben (24 November 2023). "Home Secretary in X row with WMP crime commissioner over special measures". Birmingham Live. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
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