Leading the Localities : Executive Mayors in English Local Governance

This book is the result of national research conducted amongst England's directly elected mayors and the councillors that serve alongside them. It assesses the impact on local politics of this new office and fills a gap in our understanding of how the Local Government Act 2000 has influenced local governance. The book also draws from a range of research that has focused on elected mayors—in England and overseas—to set out how the powers, roles and responsibilities of mayors and mayoral councils would need to change if English local politics is to reconnect fundamentally with citizens. It not only explores how English elected mayors are currently operating, but how the office could develop and, as such, contributes to the debate about the governance of the English localities. This book, now available in paperback, is the result of national research conducted amongst England's directly elected mayors and the councillors that serve alongside them. It is the first such major publication to assess the impact on local politics of this new office and fills a gap in our understanding of how the Local Government Act 2000 has influenced local governance. The book also draws from a range of research that has focused on elected mayors - in England and overseas - to set out how the powers, roles and responsibilities of mayors and mayoral councils would need to change if English local politics is to fundamentally reconnect with citizens. It not only explores how English elected mayors are currently operating, but how the office could develop and, as such, is a major contribution to the debate about the governance of the English localities. Front matter Contents List of tables and figures Preface Introduction Mayors: a new form of local politics or a very English compromise? Local political leadership and mayoral government Running the council or leading the community? A mayoral dichotomy Democracy and representation: the rights of mayors Elected mayors: a new style of English local politics? The elected mayor: lessons from overseas Councillors: a new and developing role or a diminished responsibility? Conclusion Postscript: the 2005 mayoral elections Bibliography Index The first major publication to assess the impact on local politics of the new office of directly-elected mayor, now finally available in paperback.