Mayor of Liverpool explained

Post:Mayor
Body:Liverpool
Insignia:Coat of arms of Liverpool City Council.svg
Insigniacaption:Arms of Liverpool City Council
Style:No title
Appointer:Electorate of Liverpool
Termlength:Four years
Formation:7 May 2012
Succession:Leader of Liverpool City Council
Inaugural:Joe Anderson
Last:Joanne Anderson
Deputy:Deputy Mayor of Liverpool

From 2012 to 2023, the mayor of Liverpool was the executive mayor of the city of Liverpool in England.[1] The office was abolished in 2023 and its functions were replaced with the leader of Liverpool City Council.

The mayor of Liverpool was previously branded 'the most powerful politician in England outside the capital', until metro-mayors were elected from 2016, such as the similarly named but separate mayor of the Liverpool City Region.[2] [3]

During 2012, Liverpool City Council decided at a council meeting to adopt the elected mayor executive arrangements, bypassing the typical practice of a local referendum as was planned that year in other cities. On 5 May 2012, former leader of Liverpool City Council Joe Anderson became Liverpool's first elected mayor. In December 2020, when Anderson was arrested on suspicion of bribery and witness intimidation, he maintained his innocence but said that he would not seek re-election.[4] A referendum in Liverpool was due to be held in 2023 on the continuation of the mayoralty,[5] but the city council voted to abolish the position from the May 2023 elections following public consultation.[6]

Role and powers of the mayor

The mayor was elected by the residents of Liverpool for a four-year period and was responsible for the executive functions of Liverpool City Council and for the day-to-day running of the organisation. They were charged with leading the city, building investor confidence, and directing new resources to economic priorities. The mayor did not have responsibility for setting the Council budget or formulating policy framework plans as these remained with the city council. The mayor appointed a cabinet of two or more councillors (also called the "Executive"), who did not have to be from the same political party:[7] [8] [9] [10] the mayor decided on the size of the cabinet and to what extent executive functions were delegated. The mayor also benefitted from so called 'soft powers' conferred on them by being directly elected, which enabled them to influence, persuade and co-ordinate on a wider scale.[11]

The mayor was entitled to sit on the proposed "Cabinet of Mayors", along with the other directly elected mayors in England and Wales. Such a position allows a direct route to the prime minister and other senior ministers. Cabinet meetings were to be held at least twice a year offering the opportunity to discuss local issues with decision-makers in Whitehall.[12]

In July 2022, Liverpool City Council voted to scrap the directly-elected mayor position, replacing it with a leader and cabinet model. The changes took effect from May 2023.[13]

Mayor for Liverpool City Region

A number of commentators had expressed disappointment that the mayor's remit did not cover the entire metropolitan area of Liverpool, or the Liverpool City Region. A 2011 report by former Deputy Prime Minister Michael Heseltine and Terry Leahy argued that a directly elected mayor should cover the six districts of the Liverpool City Region. The report argued that "in marketing terms Liverpool is a world class brand" and "it would be perverse to do other than embrace the wider area within an identity recognised across the globe."[14]

After opposition from the boroughs of Wirral, St Helens and Sefton,[15] [16] [17] the idea of a city region mayor was dropped. Minister for Cities, Greg Clark, ruled out the move as "too difficult for now", citing the need for fresh primary legislation and a reorganisation of local government boundaries as practical barriers to the concept.[18]

In November 2015, the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority agreed to a devolution deal with government that resulted in the creation of a 'metro mayor' for the city region. Elections were held in 2017, and Steve Rotheram was elected.[19]

Elections

The mayor was elected by the supplementary vote system for a period of four years. Each voter lists both a first and second choice candidate. If no-one gets more than 50% of the vote the second choices are allocated to the top two candidates.[20]

2021

See also: 2021 Liverpool City Council election.

Background

In December 2020, Mayor Joe Anderson was arrested on suspicion of bribery and witness intimidation; he said he would not seek re-election.[4] Deputy Mayor Wendy Simon exercised the powers and duties of the office of Mayor of Liverpool from 2020 to 2021 after Anderson temporarily stepped aside in December 2020. Although Anderson formally remained as Mayor until the end of his term, Simon performed Anderson's duties.[21]

A referendum in Liverpool was held in 2023 on the continuation of the mayoralty.[22]

Labour Party mayoral selection

Eight candidates declared their intention to become the Labour candidate for Mayor of Liverpool.[23] [24] This was short-listed down to three female city councillors: acting mayor Wendy Simon, former deputy mayor Ann O'Byrne and current Lord Mayor Anna Rothery. The result of the internal selection was due to be announced on 5 March. Rothery was endorsed by Dawn Butler MP,[25] Dan Carden MP,[26] Ian Byrne MP, and Jeremy Corbyn, former Leader of the Labour Party and MP for Islington North,[27] as well as Unite the Union.[25]

However,[28] [29] when ballots were supposed to go out in mid-February the party halted the process to re-interview candidates.[26] The Labour Party then decided to re-open the selection process and barred all three original candidates from standing, without any reason being given.[30] [31] [32] Councillor Joanne Anderson was later selected to be Labour's candidate for the city.

Result

2012

List of mayors

Joe Anderson was the inaugural holder of the office of Mayor of Liverpool, first elected in 2012. He indefinitely handed over the powers and duties of the office to his deputy mayor, Wendy Simon, in December 2020 following a bribery scandal. Simon served as acting mayor until the 2021 mayoral election, when Joanne Anderson (no relation to Joe Anderson) was elected.

NameEntered officeLeft officeDeputy MayorPhoto
17 May 201210 May 2021 (on leave, 10 December 2020-10 May 2021)Ann O'Byrne
Wendy Simon
-Wendy Simon10 December 202010 May 2021Lynnie Hinnigan
2Joanne Anderson10 May 20217 May 2023Jane Corbett

Fairness

A multi-agency Fairness Commission reported to Mayor Anderson in May 2012, making recommendations on how Liverpool could become "a fairer, more inclusive and equitable city". As a result Anderson commissioned further work on the adoption of social value as an objective of commissioning and procurement within the city.[33]

Salary

The Mayor of Liverpool was paid £77,039.89 in 2012–13.[34] Since 2013, they have been paid £79,500 per annum.[35] [36] An independent panel of experts had recommended that the Mayor's salary should be closer to £80,000 which is intended to reflect the size and population of the city, as well as the role and responsibilities associated with the position both in terms of the executive functions and proposing and implementing of key strategic plans.[37] [38]

Notes and References

  1. News: Liverpool council votes to elect city mayor . 7 February 2012 . 13 February 2012 . BBC News . 13 February 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120213175357/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-16938425 . live .
  2. News: Liverpool's first elected Mayor . 4 May 2012 . 6 May 2012 . 24 August 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120824060808/http://www.getoutandvote.info/liverpools-elected-mayor/ . live .
  3. News: Labour's Joe Anderson elected Liverpool mayor . 4 May 2012 . 6 May 2012 . London . The Guardian. Alexandra . Topping . 15 March 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160315101108/http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2012/may/04/labour-joe-anderson-liverpool-mayor?newsfeed=true . live .
  4. News: Pidd . Helen . Liverpool mayor Joe Anderson withdraws from elections . 30 January 2021 . The Guardian. 1 January 2021 . en . 27 January 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210127140048/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/jan/01/liverpool-mayor-joe-anderson-withdraws-from-elections . live .
  5. News: Liverpool city mayor: Labour confirms referendum in 2023 . 30 January 2021 . BBC News . 21 January 2021 . 3 February 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210203213959/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-55748684 . live .
  6. News: Thorp . Liam . Liverpool Council votes to remove the position of elected mayor . 21 July 2022 . Liverpool Echo . 20 July 2022 . en.
  7. News: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on Liverpool elected mayor . 9 February 2012 . 6 May 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120215025857/http://blogs.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/dalestreetblues/2012/02/frequently-asked-questions-faq.html . 15 February 2012 . dead .
  8. Web site: The role of mayor . Liverpool City Council . 2012 . 19 August 2012 . 28 July 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120728121729/http://liverpool.gov.uk/mayor/mayoral-model/role-of-mayor/ . live .
  9. News: Directly-elected mayors – Parliament UK . 19 April 2012 . 6 May 2012.
  10. News: Joe Anderson appoints rivals as key advisors in first task as Liverpool mayor. David Bartlett. Liverpool Echo. 5 May 2012. 6 May 2012. 25 October 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211025021511/https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/joe-anderson-appoints-rivals-key-3343971. live.
  11. News: Will new elected mayors have the necessary powers to succeed? . 1 May 2012 . 6 May 2012 . 8 May 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120508215817/http://www.cles.org.uk/yourblogs/will-the-new-elected-mayors-have-the-powers-they-need-to-succeed/#&panel1-2 . live .
  12. News: Cabinet of mayors proves controversial offer to local authorities . 27 April 2012 . 6 May 2012 . London . The Guardian. Rosie . Niven . 9 May 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210509202858/https://www.theguardian.com/local-government-network/2012/apr/27/cabinet-mayors-local-authorities-analysis . live .
  13. Web site: Thorp . Liam . Liverpool Council votes to remove the position of elected mayor . Liverpool Echo . Liverpool Echp . 21 July 2022.
  14. News: Liverpool elected mayor: City region proposals 'beyond the pale' . 30 April 2012 . 6 May 2012 . BBC News . 2 May 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120502233149/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-17894770 . live .
  15. News: Geoff Barnes . A Merseyside mayor ruling over Wirral blasted as 'madcap idea' . Wirral Globe . 9 September 2011 . 6 May 2012 . 19 November 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20151119191315/http://www.wirralglobe.co.uk/news/9243187.Merseyside_mayor_blasted_as__madcap_idea_/ . live .
  16. News: St Helen's Star. St Helens' Labour party object to city region mayor bid. 1 September 2011. 6 May 2012. 20 November 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151120095602/http://www.sthelensstar.co.uk/news/9227913._Takeover__fury_over_new_city_mayor_bid/. live.
  17. News: Southport – Online News . Plan for elected Merseyside mayor comes under attack . 26 October 2011 . 6 May 2012 . 19 November 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20151119213735/http://www.southport.gb.com/southport/gallery/Plan_for_elected_Merseyside_mayor_comes_under_attack-50889595.htm . live .
  18. News: Liverpool's referendum on elected Mayor confirmed for May 3 2012 . 17 November 2011 . 6 May 2012 . 27 July 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130727170332/http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-news/regional-news/2011/11/17/liverpool-s-referendum-on-elected-mayor-confirmed-for-may-3-2012-92534-29791836/ . live .
  19. Web site: Liverpool 'metro mayor' results: Labour's Steve Rotheram elected . BBC . 27 May 2019 . 27 May 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190527021924/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-merseyside-39804725 . live .
  20. Web site: How the votes are counted – Liverpool City Council . Liverpool.gov.uk . 2012-05-01 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120501131135/http://liverpool.gov.uk/council/voting-and-elections/Mayoral-elections-2012/How-the-votes-are-counted/ . 1 May 2012 . dead .
  21. News: Liverpool mayor Joe Anderson steps aside amid bribery probe . . 10 December 2020 . 11 February 2021 . 10 December 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201210135505/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-55258003 . live .
  22. News: Liverpool city mayor: Labour confirms referendum in 2023 . 30 January 2021 . BBC News . 21 January 2021 . 3 February 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210203213959/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-55748684 . live .
  23. News: Thorp . Liam . Eight names enter contest to replace Joe Anderson . 30 January 2021 . Liverpool Echo . 29 January 2021 . en . 29 January 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210129161245/https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/eight-names-enter-contest-replace-19729090 . live .
  24. News: Rodgers . Sienna . New Liverpool mayor candidate to be selected by Labour in six weeks . 30 January 2021 . LabourList . 20 January 2021 . 2 February 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210202210812/https://labourlist.org/2021/01/new-liverpool-mayor-candidate-to-be-selected-by-labour-in-six-weeks/ . live .
  25. Web site: 2021-02-14. Trade unionist candidate for Liverpool Mayor receives endorsement from socialist MPs. 2021-02-16. Morning Star. en. 16 February 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210216180032/https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/b/trade-unionist-candidate-liverpool-mayor-receives-endorsement-socialist-mps. live.
  26. News: Thorp . Liam . City MPs Dan Carden and Ian Byrne back Anna Rothery for Mayor . 19 February 2021 . Liverpool Echo . . 19 February 2021 . en . 19 February 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210219131840/https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/liverpool-mps-dan-carden-ian-19873210 . live .
  27. News: Thorp . Liam . Jeremy Corbyn backs Anna Rothery for Mayor of Liverpool . 12 February 2021 . Liverpool Echo . 9 February 2021 . en . 10 February 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210210081941/https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/former-labour-leader-jeremy-corbyn-19805045 . live .
  28. News: Liverpool city mayoral elections: Three women seek Labour nod . 12 February 2021 . BBC News . 7 February 2021 . 7 February 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210207145155/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-55939956 . live .
  29. News: Thorp . Liam . Labour Liverpool Mayor contest shortlisted to final three . 12 February 2021 . . . 1 February 2021 . en . 13 February 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210213071615/https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/labour-liverpool-mayor-contest-shortlisted-19748249 . live .
  30. News: Thorp . Liam . Labour reopens applications for Liverpool Mayor nominations . 24 February 2021 . . . 23 February 2021 . en . 24 February 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210224002622/https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/applications-liverpool-mayor-candidates-re-19896795 . live .
  31. News: Pidd . Helen . Labour scraps all-female shortlist for Liverpool mayor . 24 February 2021 . The Guardian. 23 February 2021 . en . 24 February 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210224000852/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/feb/23/labour-scraps-all-female-shortlist-for-liverpool-mayor . live .
  32. News: Liverpool city mayoral election: Labour scraps shortlist . 24 February 2021 . BBC News . 23 February 2021 . 23 February 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210223233114/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-56168822 . live .
  33. Liverpool City Council, Mayoral Commission for Social Value, Findings Report, published October 2013
  34. Web site: Liverpool City Council – Mayor and Councillors' Allowances 2012-13 . 9 February 2016 . 25 October 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211025021451/https://councillors.liverpool.gov.uk/uuCoverPage.aspx?bcr=1 . live .
  35. Web site: Liverpool City Council – Mayor and Councillors' Allowances 2013-14 . 9 February 2016 . 25 October 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211025021452/https://councillors.liverpool.gov.uk/uuCoverPage.aspx?bcr=1 . live .
  36. Web site: Liverpool City Council – Mayor and Councillors' Allowances 2014-15 . 9 February 2016 . 25 October 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211025021451/https://councillors.liverpool.gov.uk/uuCoverPage.aspx?bcr=1 . live .
  37. Web site: Liverpool mayor Joe Anderson rejects £80,000 salary recommendation for lower wage . Liverpool Echo . 2012-05-16 . 25 October 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211025021511/https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/liverpool-mayor-joe-anderson-rejects-3344930 . live .
  38. News: Liverpool mayor Joe Anderson to take £66,000 salary . BBC Liverpool . 23 May 2012 . 23 May 2012 . 26 May 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120526115408/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-18174887 . live .

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