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Mayor plans ‘a farce’
Pamela Welsh1/ 5/2008
LEADERS of the two biggest parties in Bury Council united last week to slam proposals for a directly-elected mayor.
Bitter rivals Councillor Wayne Campbell and Councillor Bob Bibby set aside their party differences when they called plans for the mayor ‘a farce’.
They were speaking at a special meeting of full council on Thursday, April 24, where councillors agreed a list of what the mayor will have responsibility for, if the referendum on July 3 brings a ‘yes’ vote.
Campaigners fighting Greater Manchester’s congestion charge plans forced Bury to hold a referendum on the mayoral issue after more than five per cent of the population signed a petition.
They believe a US-style mayor would back their views and have the power to kill off the plan.
But councillors Campbell and Bibby slammed the petition, claiming signatories were ‘misled’.
Cllr Campbell said: "A lot of people were under the impression that they were voting to support anti-congestion charging rather than an elected mayor.
"Legally, the petition is right but it was very misleading the way it was put forward."
Cllr Bob Bibby said: "I completely agree with Cllr Campbell on this one. It was a complete and utter farce."
But Prestwich campaigner Geoffrey Berg, who organised the petition, said: "I think it is insulting to the 8,500 people who signed the petition in the first place.
"I don’t think it was misleading. What the politicians fail to realise is that most people are so against congestion charging that they are willing to change the regime of the council to stop it."
The proposals, concerning how an elected major would operate and what duties and powers the position would hold, were being submitted to Salford MP Hazel Blears, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.
Bury Council is required by law to submit the proposals and a further period of public consultation will now be held.
The new executive, if a ‘yes’ vote is returned, will comprise of the elected mayor and nine other members, including two opposition members without portfolio.
The electorate will now be asked the question on referendum day: "Are you in favour of the proposal for Bury Metropolitan Borough Council to be run in a new way, which includes a mayor, who will be elected by the voters of that borough, to be in charge of the council’s services and to lead Bury Metropolitan Council and the community which it serves?"
The mayor will also be responsible for making key decisions on the executive.
If the referendum produces a ‘yes’ vote, the mayoral election will take place on October 16.
- What do you think about the plans for an elected mayor?
- Do you think people who signed the petition were misled?
- Send your views to readers’ letters, Prestwich Advertiser, 30 Church Street, Eccles, M30 0DF, or email: prestwichadvertiser@menwn.co.uk
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No Geoffrey. You stood on my doorstop and my father-in-laws and lied through your teeth saying it was for a poll to stop the con charge. Yes the wording is correct but I signed because I agreed with the anti-charge sentiment and to get you off my doorstep.
At no point was a Mayoral election mentioned. I feel like a mug for signing it
2/05/2008 at 11:41