Mayor of the West Midlands | |
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West Midlands Combined Authority | |
Style | Mayor [1] |
Member of | West Midlands Combined Authority |
Seat | 16 Summer Lane, Birmingham |
Appointer | Electorate of
West Midlands by supplementary vote |
Term length | 4 years |
Constituting instrument | Cities and Local Government Devolution Act 2016 |
Inaugural holder | Andy Street |
Formation | 8 May 2017 |
Deputy | Cllr Bob Sleigh |
Salary | £79,000 [2] |
Website | West Midlands Combined Authority - The Mayor |
The Mayor of the West Midlands is a directly elected political post who chairs the West Midlands Combined Authority, covering the Birmingham-Wolverhampton Urban Area and Coventry.
The first election took place on Thursday 4 May 2017. Andy Street, the inaugural Mayor, was originally due to hold office for three years, with the second election for the post taking place in May 2020. This election was delayed for a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, [3] so the inaugural mayoral term was extended by a year, with the second term length being reduced to three years between 2021 and 2024. The Mayor's term of office will return to four years from 2024 thereafter. [4]
The Mayor has devolved compulsory purchase powers and is responsible for the West Midlands spatial framework and land commission.
The Mayor is responsible for franchised bus services, allowing for standardised fares and branding on all bus services in the county, similar to how London's bus network operates. [5] The Mayor is also responsible for the West Midlands Key Route Network, which is managed by Transport for West Midlands on behalf of the Mayor. [6]
The Mayor is responsible for ensuring that the first devolution deal is put into action and acts on behalf of the region in negotiating future devolution deals with central government. [7]
The Mayor was due to be vested with the police and crime commissioner functions for the West Midlands Police area from 7 May 2024. [8] However, the incumbent PCC applied for judicial review against the order transferring the functions which the High Court quashed the order in March 2024. [9] The Home Secretary applied for permission to appeal that decision which was refused by the Court of Appeal on 22 March 2024. [10] The Home Secretary has stated that he wishes to proceed with the transfer in the future, accusing the incumbent PCC of failed leadership in policing. [11]
Colour key (for political parties) |
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Name | Picture | Term of office | Elected | Political party | Previous occupations | ||
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Andy Street | 8 May 2017 | Incumbent |
2017 2021 |
Conservative | Former managing director of John Lewis |