A disappointingly small number of people turned up to a meeting at Midsomer Norton’s Town Hall last Tuesday for a debate on the pros and cons of having an Elected Mayor for B&NES. Whilst organisers blamed the weather for the poor attendance, there is a growing concern that electors do not understand the issue which they will be asked to vote upon in the referendum on 10th March – or worse, they just don’t care.

Speaking to The Journal last week, Philip Raby, Chair of the Mayor for B&NES Campaign, said: “In total, there were barely more than twenty, and a significant number of them were B&NES councillors, who seemed to have decided it was a good opportunity to air their opposition to any change in the way Bath and North East Somerset is led at a local level.

“In a rare display of cross-party support, councillors from the local parties took it in turns to stand up and make a brief speech masquerading as a question – the gist of which was, “This is a really bad idea – don’t you agree?”

“I was one of the two speakers, the other being Tim Warren (current leader of B&NES Council). I was putting the case for why having an Elected Mayor was a good idea, but given that no one seemed to come to make up their minds one way or the other, then nothing of what Tim or I said would have made a lot of difference.

“I understand that many people in Midsomer Norton feel that local party politics is of no great interest and that they are not treated equally, but a meeting like this one was a rare chance to express opinions and ask questions. It’s a shame that more people didn’t take the opportunity to do so.”

Mr Raby also reported that at a debate held in Widcombe last week, around 100 members of the public came out to find out more, prompting the question – could Bath voters, if they turn out in force, sway the decision?

Tim Warren, Leader of the Council, but speaking in his capacity as Leader of B&NES Conservatives, was also part of the debate, with his main message being, ‘why take the chance?’ He said: “I don’t believe that a case has been made for an Elected Mayor and the benefits are not proven. The current Cabinet is made up of ward councillors from across the whole of B&NES – this is not guaranteed with a Mayor. As local politicians, we have more experience and understand how local government works. We have managed to secure the Enterprise Zone for the Somer Valley and many positive things are happening in our area – so why put this at risk?”

Cllr Warren argued that B&NES has recently made savings of £2 million, with B&NES “fighting well above its weight in securing local investment.” Mr Raby countered this, saying that the local authority could be more efficiently run.

There was much debate about the cost of an Elected Mayor, with Cllr Liz Hardman (Labour, Paulton), challenging that such a system was ‘undemocratic’. Mr Raby reported that he found it interesting that the political parties in B&NES had “closed ranks”, with some refusing to even discuss the subject. Cllr Michael Evans expressed concern that the position could be open to anybody, should the referendum end in a ‘yes’ vote and “ignorance and incompetence could come into play.”

Members of the public who did attend expressed concern that an Elected Mayor would be Bath-centric. Mr Raby said that Bath and North East Somerset is “a wonderfully diverse community,” but a “very curious political region.”

A Timsbury resident asked how either system could be better, adding that government cuts would leave councils running statutory services only in future. He said: “A dramatic shake-up is needed, with knowledge and enthusiasm, otherwise it will be carnage. This situation needs to be pieced back

together.”

Cllr Warren replied that these are “very challenging financial circumstances” and that it was not going to be easy, but Bath’s heritage services “are a golden goose”, which bring a lot of money to the area. Mr Raby argued that the old Dyson site in Bath had been left undeveloped, highlighting the £80,000 waste in the Dorchester bus gate debacle, under the previous administration. He also said that campaigners in Cardiff had taken inspiration from the area’s events and will be hoping for a referendum of their own.

Speaking to The Journal this week, Cllr Warren said: “I’d like to thank everybody who came to the husting and those who listened in live on the radio. I hope the listeners agreed with me that there is no need to pay the extra cost or take the risk for an Elected Mayor to run B&NES, because the system we have works democratically and allows local Councillors to have a real input.

“I ask that you please use your right to vote on March 10th, whoever you agree with, so that we get a real feeling of what residents want.”

The debate was chaired by Somer Valley FM Station Manager, Dom Chambers and can be listened to again in full via: http://podcast.canstream.

co.uk/svalley/index.php?id=13562

The race is now on for campaigners to try and organise debates such as this in other venues across North East Somerset, so that voters can make up their minds. Should there be a ‘yes’ result, it is expected an election would be held to choose a Mayor in October this year.

A further debate has been arranged at Peasedown St John Cricket Club on Monday, 29th February, from 7 p.m. – 8 p.m.