Coventry voters reject elected mayor plans

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Coventry voters have rejected proposals to create an elected mayor in the city.


Joe Elliott

Held on the same day as local council elections, Coventry was among 10 English cities voting in mayoral referendums.

In Coventry more than 63% voted no, with turnout just over 26%. The leader of the 'No' campaign said people had voted on a "pointless proposal".

A spokesman for the pro mayor camp said they would still work with the council to "achieve the best for the city".

BBC political reporter Sian Grzeszczyk says there were cheers in the hall as the mayoral result was declared at about 03:30 BST.

Coventry businessman Joe Elliott, who led the city's 'No' campaign, believed voter apathy, coupled with the result, had "provided a huge answer to the requests for mayors in this country".

'No crowing'

Mr Elliott said: "I like discussion and I like democracy.

"I don't like dictatorship and I believe the council now must move forward and make sure that these city deals and benefits that are on offer are taken for the benefit of our city."

Andrew Lomas, part of the pro mayor campaign, was disappointed with the voter turnout and felt it was difficult for anyone to "crow" about the result.

"We all have to go away and scratch our heads and ask why nearly three-quarters of people aren't voting," Mr Lomas said.

"I think we did what we could with limited resources. It was difficult getting traction.

"Ultimately people weren't interested in a debate about structures and local government and that's something we'll have to take away from this.

"Coventry still needs a city deal and we still need investment and jobs.

"We're just interested in working together with the existing council leaders to try and achieve the best for the city."

In any city where a majority of voters back the proposals, mayoral elections will be held later this year.

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John Mutton to continue as Coventry City Council leader as cabinet re-shuffled



JOHN Mutton is to continue as Coventry City Council’s leader – as Labour MPs insisted “business as usual” is not an option after the elected mayor referendum.

The now overwhelmingly dominant ruling Labour group – bolstered by eight more seats at last Thursday’s council elections – last night voted for a cabinet re-shuffle.

But there was no challenger to Coun Mutton, meaning he remains council leader, a position he regained in 2010 when the Tories lost power.

Meanwhile, Coventry MPs Jim Cunningham and Geoffrey Robinson issued a joint statement to the Telegraph today, urging change at the council after Thursday’s massive No to an elected mayor vote – partly in order to secure new “powers” from Whitehall under a City Deal.

Government ministers – while urging cities to vote for elected mayors – had clarified in the Commons any new future packages of financial powers for cities would not depend on having an elected mayor.

The MPs’ statement read: “Coventry voted decisively against a mayor. We agree absolutely with that decision.

"However, that is not to say we can now just sit back content to go on as we were. It is not business as usual. In this situation we call on the coalition government for a new deal for Coventry with new powers in line with those given to Manchester and Liverpool.

"We believe Coventry has the same rights of increased autonomy and the necessary funding as any other city, and we remind the government of their promise made to us MPs in the Commons.

“This won’t be handed to us on a plate. There will be conditions attached.

“We will work with the council to seize this opportunity so that the city can continue to grow and prosper as it has done since the Labour group took control.”

Liverpool, which last week voted for its council leader Joe Anderson to become its first elected mayor, received funding streams months ago for new jobs, transport and infrastructure; as did Greater Manchester councils, working together as a combined authority.

Cities minister Greg Clark told this newspaper in March the “status quo was not an option for councils”, which would have to demonstrate good leadership, governance, and partnerships.

Birmingham City Council’s new Labour leader Sir Albert Bore’s pledged after Thursday’s victory to introduce new democratic reforms, including devolving some powers to ten grassroots constituencies, and new over-arching super-cabinet positions to bolster leadership.

Coventry council Labour group’s re-shuffle largely maintains existing arrangements so far – while it seeks to secure a City Deal.

It could include a new Tax Increment Finance scheme (borrowing against future business rate revenue) to finance new infrastructure for the planned 15,000-job Friargate city centre office development.

A council letter requesting a City Deal to Mr Clark in March – followed up by another on Friday – also called for funding for Coventry Airport redevelopment, and more control over spending on buses, capital funding schemes, and skills programmes to get people back into work.

Labour now has 43 councillors against the Tories’ 11, with no other parties represented.

A spokesman for Mr Clark’s Communities and Local Government department said: “We want our cities to have the powers they need to build a prosperous future.

“We will continue to finalise city deals over the coming months and expect to invite another wave of cities to join those already proposing deals.”