East Midlands Mayor elected to lead UK Mayors Network
East Midlands Mayor Claire Ward (Lab) has been elected by her fellow mayors to chair the UK Mayors Network – giving her a national leadership role as Government devolves more power to regions.
The UK Mayors Network is the sector body for strategic authorities.
It brings together the regional mayors to discuss shared priorities and work on issues including devolution, transport, skills, housing and economic growth.
Ms Ward assumes the role of chair from Tracy Brabin (Lab), Mayor of West Yorkshire.
Ms Ward, who has served as deputy chair for the past two years, will now lead the cross-party group as it works with Government to strengthen local decision-making and secure the powers, funding and flexibility regions need to deliver for their communities.
She said: “I’m honoured to have been elected by my fellow mayors to chair the UK Mayors Network.
"Tracy has done a superb job in the role and I take it over at an exciting time with more devolution and more mayors on their way to join us.”
“Mayors are working across party lines because we all face many of the same challenges – in the East Midlands and across the country – from improving public transport and building the homes people need, to giving people the skills to get on and backing local businesses to grow.”
“People know what works in their communities, and mayors are often best placed to act on that.
"I want the council to be a strong voice for mayors and for the communities we represent.”
Ms Ward’s election comes at a significant moment for devolution, with former Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham now Prime Minister and the Government putting greater powers for regions at the centre of its agenda.
The Government is proposing to give regional mayors a greater share of locally raised taxes and more control over funding and investment, describing its plans as the biggest transfer of power from Westminster in a generation.
Ms Ward continued: “Since Andy Burnham became Prime Minister, we have seen a real shift in the national conversation about devolution, with Government recognising that decisions are often best made closer to the people they affect.
“That creates a real opportunity to go further.
"In the East Midlands and across England, regions need the powers, funding and flexibility to tackle the challenges they face and make the most of the opportunities in front of them.
“I look forward to working with mayors from across England and with Government to build on that progress.
"I want to use this role to make sure the voice of mayors is heard clearly at the heart of Government, and that the benefits of devolution are felt in every part of England.”
At the same time, Amy Harhoff, East Midlands Combined County Authority chief executive, has taken over as chair of the UK Mayors Network of Chief Executives.