There is just over a month to go until the Referendum for an Elected Mayor for B&NES and local residents will get the chance to quiz both the ‘Yes’ and ‘No’ campaigns at a special hustings event at Midsomer Norton Town Hall on Tuesday, 9th February from 7 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Residents across Bath and North East Somerset will head to the polls on Thursday, 10th March to decide whether Bath and North East Somerset should be run by an Elected Mayor or whether the current council structure remains in place. The debate is being hosted by community radio station, Somer Valley FM, alongside the Midsomer Norton Community Trust.
Philip Raby, Chairman of Bath Film Festival and The Elected Mayor for B&NES campaign, said: “The referendum on March 10th represents the best chance for change since B&NES was created twenty years ago. We welcome the chance to talk about why we think an Elected Mayor is a good thing, but most of all, we want to hear from you about what you think is important.”
Those heading the ‘No’ campaign argue that an Elected Mayor would cost taxpayers more (although this has been disputed by those in the ‘Yes’ arena), that it will be harder to hold an Elected Mayor to account (also disputed) and that Elected Mayors are better designed for big cities, not large, diverse areas such as B&NES.
Attendees are asked to arrive from 6.30 p.m. for a prompt 7 p.m. start, but if you cannot attend in person, you can also listen live on 97.5FM, DAB and at: www.somervalleyfm.co.uk from 7 p.m. Residents are asked to submit questions for the debate in advance by emailing: [email protected] or by ringing: 01761 411755. You can also join in the conversation on the night on the radio station’s Facebook page or by using #BANESMayorDebate on Twitter.