Birmingham Forward and Future come out in support of elected mayors

 

Members of both Forward and Future were recently polled* on the issue in advance of the organisation making its submission to the Government consultation on potential powers for an elected mayor. Over 90% of Forward and 100% of Future members who responded to the e-poll confirmed their support for an elected mayor. 99% of total respondents favoured more powers being granted to a mayor with particular backing for them to have a greater influence over major infrastructure projects, planning and transport matters.

 

Birmingham Forward has been close to the debate on the elected mayor issue and has decided that the time is now right to declare its support having carefully considered the arguments on both sides.

 

Birmingham Forward and Future will continue to provide its members with access to the arguments from all sides around this important potential change to local governance up to the referendum in May and beyond if a yes vote is returned following the yes/no ballot. The organisation is planning a major event on April 19th with a panel comprising many of those who have declared an interest in being candidates for Birmingham’s first elected mayor. Further details will be announced online in the near future.

 

A joint statement by the Chair of Forward Gary Cardin and Future Chair, Gareth Morgan stated: “In discussions with our members and the resounding view captured by our recent e- poll – it is clear that there is increasing support for Birmingham to have an elected mayor among the business and professional services community. The Board of Forward has given the issue a great deal of consideration and we have looked at all of the arguments and believe that moving to this form of leadership would bring significant benefits, not only to our sector but to the city as a whole.

 

“Our members are particularly keen that key areas that impact on our ability to prosper economically such as planning, transport and major infrastructure initiatives should all be brought under the control of an elected mayor.

 

“We have made our case with regard to the potential powers for an elected mayor to Government in our recent submission and now look forward to offering our members further opportunities to explore and debate this crucial issue before the referendum in May.”