Only 14% say mayors instill sense of greater personal control

The government is increasingly focusing on devolving powers to local areas to achieve levelling up aims, but a new poll has shown introducing mayors may not accomplish this.  

Over 2,000 people were polled by Opinium for community power campaign We’re Right Here and results show just 17% believe mayors lead to better outcomes for their communities.  

Just 14% believe having a mayor has given them a greater sense of personal control, while under one in ten say mayors have boosted local pride.  

On the other hand, 46% think giving local community groups would improve their local areas and 35% said they would feel more in control if these groups had more input on local decisions.  

Recent devolution deals approved by the government have had elected mayors built into the agreement – York and North Yorkshire will see it’s first mayor elected in 2024, while Cornwall could also gain a local mayor if a devolution deal is approved by residents. 

Andy Jackson, a We’re Right Here campaign leader who runs Heeley Development Trust near Sheffield, said: ‘Of course we should have good leaders at the city or county level, running the things that need to be run at that scale. But don’t for a minute believe new Mayors are going to meet people’s deep desire for more control over the things that matter to them. 

‘We have talent, passion and creativity in abundance in every community in this country. We can be the architects of our own prosperity. We just need the framework that lets us get on with it.’  

The poll found 50% of respondents would prefer the government to prioritise empowering community organisations and groups, compared to just 10% who support the creation of mayors.  

We’re Right Here propose the creation of a Community Power Act which would establish community rights which give local people a greater say in shaping local areas, services and spending.  

The Act would also create agreements between communities and councils, giving communities more power from central governement and a bigger role in local issues.  

The camapign is also calling for an independent Community Power Commisioner to hold government accountable for upholding the right for communities to take back control.  

Several national orgnisations support We’re Right Here, including the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, People’s Health Trust, Esmee Fairbairn Foundation and New Local.  

Photo by Dylan Gillis