 |
 |
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
 |
ELECTED mayors with tax-raising powers are vital for city-regions such as Liverpool to break free from bureaucratic quangos, business leaders said.
But punishing Liverpool by handing those powers to rival cities first would only exacerbate the problems the city has experienced over the past year, claimed private sector lobby group Downtown Liverpool In Business.
A major study from a New Labour-friendly think tank published today claims elected mayors are needed in England’s two largest city-regions: Birmingham and Manchester.
But the report from the Institute for Public Policy Research goes on to suggest that such have been Liverpool’s problems at the top of the council over the past 12 months, any move towards a mayor should be delayed.
While welcoming the recommendation that Liverpool could – one day – follow the lead of Manchester and Birmingham and get its own elected mayor, DLIB attacked suggestions that the move should be held back
“Liverpool is a vibrant and talented city with a great deal to offer,” said Frank McKenna, chairman of DLIB.
“But that potential is currently being hampered by the number of government agencies and quangos running the city’s affairs.
“It is clear that what is needed is the type of freedom and clarity that an elected mayor would bring.
“If we have had problems over the past year, then that is all the more reason for the Government to support Liverpool in a time of transition.
“The last thing we need is for the Government to give this level of autonomy to competing cities where the current leadership structure is already working well.”
If Liverpool’s current government structure has failed in the past, then all the more reason to opt for change to give the city the strong leadership it needs, Mr McKenna added.
“An elected mayor would ensure that key regeneration projects got the support they needed and, if they failed, guaranteed there was no confusion as to where the buck stops. It would stop on the Mayor’s desk,” he said.
“Only then would you see Liverpool fulfil its great potential and the sooner that happens the better.”
Note to editor
For more information, or to arrange an interview with Frank McKenna, call Chris Marritt at Mason Media on 0151 707 4514 or 07908 214950.
