In the Spring, residents will decide whether Bath & North East Somerset should be run by an elected mayor - or whether it would be better to stick with the current system of having a 'Leader and Cabinet' running the Council. The referendum is taking place after a petition received the necessary number of valid entries legally required to begin the process.
Please note that there has been some confusion regarding the referendum. You will not be voting on a Mayor of Bath, but a Mayor of Bath and North East Somerset.
I have reservations about the proposal. I do think that that an elected mayor is not appropriate for BANES, given its diversity and different interests across the local authority. I am also concerned that it will lead to an increase in the cost of politics. For example in Bristol, between 2008 and 2010 there were 15 employees earning over £100,000, which rose to 25 after the appointment of an elected mayor. However, I am very keen to understand the wider views of Bath residents.
I would be most grateful if you could spend just a few minutes completing my brief survey: https://benhowlett.typeform.com/to/Cxmn8q start