Mayor 'will give Bristol edge over other cities'
BRISTOL will have an edge over other cities by having an elected mayor, Communities Secretary Eric Pickles said during a trip to Fishponds.
Mr Pickles, who would effectively be the elected mayor's line manager in the Government, said: "When you have got a mayor, you can get a deal done.
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Secretary of State for Communities Eric Pickles campaigns with Geoff Gollop and Ken Maddock Picture: Jon Kent
"A mayor will mean getting decisions quickly and you have got someone who is accountable."
Bristol was the only city in May which voted in favour of an elected mayor in a citywide referendum.
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There are currently 16 elected mayors in towns, cities and boroughs throughout the country.
Mr Pickles, who was campaigning in Fishponds in support of Tory candidate Geoff Gollop and police commissioner candidate Ken Maddock said he had seen in other parts of Britain where a mayor had been elected that "things get done".
He said a mayor changes the dynamics of local government.
He said: "My advice to the elected mayor is to speak on behalf of one of the greatest cities in the world because there are parts of the world which have not heard of Bristol. It's got a great reputation for delivering enterprise and for delivering quality products – the elected mayor will have to eat, drink and sleep Bristol."
Mr Pickles said an elected mayor would open the door between the Government and Bristol.
"Once they have been elected, they will have authority and we will want to talk to them," he said.
He said when there is civic leadership such as in Greater Manchester, then it was much easier to negotiate deals on major projects.
Elections for a mayor and police commissioner will be held on Thursday, November 15.
The results will be announced on the following day.
There are currently 13 candidates who have said they will stand for elected mayor.
Five candidates are fighting to become police commissioner.
Comments
by Frankclack
Friday, September 28 2012, 9:55PM
“The rag-bag candidates for Bristol's Mayoral position wouldn't add up to a half decent pub quiz team!”
by FromMendip
Friday, September 28 2012, 7:01PM
“Depends who the mayor turns out to be.”
by robertjessete
Friday, September 28 2012, 6:50PM
“It's nice to have a little reminder of whose ideas we were endorsing by voting to have a mayor. Thanks Post!”
by artglad
Friday, September 28 2012, 4:54PM
“The article states:-
"Mr Pickles, who would effectively be the elected mayor's line manager in the Government, "
It looks like any mayor would be the governments puppet .
Does anyone remember the Bonzo Dog Band singing:-
"No Matter Who You Vote For the Government Always Gets In (Heigh Ho)"?”
by Samtron2000
Friday, September 28 2012, 4:07PM
“"He said when there is civic leadership such as in Greater Manchester, then it was much easier to negotiate deals on major projects."
Right, So Pickles is saying having a Mayor will make Bristol better than other cities, yet he uses Gtr Manchester as an example to aspire to ... which doesn't have an elected Mayor!! No wonder the man is widely considered a laughing stock!!”
by SlotBoy
Friday, September 28 2012, 10:14AM
“I already eat, drink and sleep Bristol. I am more interested in getting Bristol to eat drink and sleep practical solutions for a prosperous City. My vision is that the Country and the Planet ultimately will become familiar with the legend 'Made in Great Bristol'
Check out the start here: http://tinyurl.com/9q8b9w6
Rich Fisher - Independent”