I'm still undecided about becoming a confirmed candidate but, am writing now to let you know about what I see, have now concluded, as the rather disappointing powers and influence granted to the position of W Mids Metro Mayor (not Bristol or Manchester). Andy Street has been a great spokesperson for the WMCA over these last four years and has been brilliant at holding public meetings (up until Covid) and letting me make some quick remarks when I have attended.
I should mention that the four main subject areas that the Metro Mayor has some responsibility for, in association with the seven council leaders are transport, jobs, skills and housing. Andy's powers are limited and he is meant to work with the council leaders and cannot overrule them. The local authority leaders do not have less power in the West Midlands because of the Metro Mayor. The Birmingham Post's Political Reporter, Jonathan Walker calls the position - a "figurehead". Andy, himself said in a BBC 'Today' interview in May 2017, shortly after his election, that he has no "formal" powers.
For us, I think the CA Mayor position should be by an advertised, fair, open selection process and not election! Presumably, all 18 senior officers of the Combined Authority were appointed in that way. No expense spared for the new regional government of a thick, high hierarchy of bigwigs but a miserly 1% for nurses!! We also have a Young Combined Authority, but that must be much cheaper, of course.
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