Directly-elected mayors could be a 'beachhead' to more decentralisation

摘要

Local government experts have hailed elected mayors as the 'beachhead' that could lead to the decentralisation of more powers, following the introduction of last week's Localism Act. The country is preparing for a wave of regional referendums as a result of the Act, which will give local residents the power to decide on whether to have a directly-elected mayor in their area. Current elected mayors, together with leading experts in the sector, have celebrated the move as part of a wider agenda to cement more power at a local level. Simon Parker, director of the New Local Government Network think-tank, told The MJ: 'Mayors will be a beachhead for more local powers. I believe powers that mayors get in the next couple of years will eventually be powers all councils get.