Deal or no deal? Resounding 'no' from Wakefield public to West Yorkshire mayor would force 'rethink'

A resounding 'no' from the Wakefield public to a West Yorkshire mayor could force a "rethink" on the current plans.
Local council leaders sign the proposed agreement, alongside Chancellor Rishi Sunak in March.Local council leaders sign the proposed agreement, alongside Chancellor Rishi Sunak in March.
Local council leaders sign the proposed agreement, alongside Chancellor Rishi Sunak in March.

Wakefield Council leader Denise Jeffery said she hoped local people would back the idea, as a public consultation on the region's devolution deal begins next week.

The deal, agreed by local politicians and the government, would see a mayor installed next year and West Yorkshire given more say over issues such as transport and skills.

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But Councillor Jeffery admitted on a virtual meeting with Cabinet colleagues on Tuesday that little thought had been given to what will happen if the public reject the deal.

If the agreement does go ahead, a West Yorkshire metro mayor will be elected for the first time next year.If the agreement does go ahead, a West Yorkshire metro mayor will be elected for the first time next year.
If the agreement does go ahead, a West Yorkshire metro mayor will be elected for the first time next year.

She suggested that if a huge majority are against it, then it would not go ahead in its current form, but added she believed the current plans are "the only game in town".

Public consultations are taking place across West Yorkshire on the deal.

Councillor Jeffery said: "I don't think we've actually thought about what will happen if people say 'no', because we have agreed it at council and we need to move forward with this.

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"If it was an overwhelming 'no' we'd have to obviously have a rethink.

Wakefield Council leader Denise Jeffery and deputy leader Jack Hemingway say they're both in favour of the deal.Wakefield Council leader Denise Jeffery and deputy leader Jack Hemingway say they're both in favour of the deal.
Wakefield Council leader Denise Jeffery and deputy leader Jack Hemingway say they're both in favour of the deal.

"If the consultation is negative, then West Yorkshire authorities can decide not to (go ahead) with it.

"It would all be a bit complicated so I'm hoping people will say 'yes' when they see the deal laid out in front of them."

In 2012, 62 per cent of voters in Wakefield came out against the idea of the district having an elected mayor.

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Wakefield does have a mayor, but the role is a ceremonial one held by a councillor for one year at a time and carries no decision making powers.

The 2012 referendum, which was also held in Leeds where a similar number of voters rejected an elected mayor, has been cited by opponents of the plan.

But the council says the devolution deal will bring more money into places like Wakefield.

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Deputy leader Councillor Jack Hemingway said: "I think it's a historic moment actually for West Yorkshire and for Wakefield.

"We've got the opportunity to get some very significant funding for transport schemes, the green economy and adult education.

"We have to really emphasise the benefits of this deal to the people of Wakefield, because they will see tangible social and economic benefits from this."

Details on how to respond to the consultation will be available on the council's website from May 25. It will close on July 19.

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The council has said it will look at how it can get the survey out to residents without internet access, as concern has been expressed that people are currently unable to pick up a paper version from leisure centres and libraries.

Councillor Jeffery also said she would lobby for the mayor to be based in the city of Wakefield, if the deal does goes ahead.

Local Democracy Reporting Service