FAQs

Read our most frequently asked questions about being a Mayoral Combined Authority.

What is a Mayoral Combined Authority?

A Mayoral Combined Authority is led by an elected Combined Authority Mayor. They work in conjunction with leaders from each constituent council across their region. Together they collectively make decisions about policy and spending in areas including economic support, housing, transport, education and skills at regional level. 

What is a Combined Authority Mayor?

A Combined Authority Mayor is the publicly elected leader of a Combined Authority with significant executive powers and funding available to them. They make strategic decisions across the region they represent.  

Combined Authority Mayors work with local councils within the Combined Authority boundaries to deliver initiatives that benefit their region. 

They also chair meetings of the Combined Authority board, which is made up of the leaders of constituent councils who decide how powers and funding unlocked by devolution deals are used. 

What is the difference between a Metro Mayor and Combined Authority Mayor?

A Combined Authority Mayor is sometimes called a Metro Mayor, however both terms refer to an elected leader of a combined authority. 

How does the Mayor of West Yorkshire govern and who will they work with?

The Mayor of West Yorkshire works with the Mayoral Combined Authority, council leaders, business representatives and partners to prioritise issues that matter to people in the region. Any matter that comes before the Combined Authority will be decided by a simple majority of the members present in voting. The Mayor and the Mayoral Combined Authority are held to account by an Overview and Scrutiny Committee. 

How long is the Mayor in office for?

The first Mayor of West Yorkshire will serve a 3-year term that will bring our mayor in line with all the others nationally who will have an election in 2024. 

At the end of this period, they may choose to stand in for re-election or resign the position to new candidates.
 

Future Mayors of West Yorkshire will then serve a 4 year term.

What powers does the Mayor of West Yorkshire have?

The Mayor has a demanding and wide-ranging role representing a population of 2.3 million residents of West Yorkshire. The Mayor supports the objectives of the Combined Authority to deliver regeneration and economic development, and co-ordination of long-term transformational programmes, and budget responsibility.

The Mayor is responsible for specific functions of the Combined Authority that are ‘Mayoral Functions’ and functions of the Police and Crime Commissioner. The Mayoral Functions are: transport-related functions, housing and planning functions, and finance powers.

How does having a Mayor of West Yorkshire affect the work of the Police and Crime Commissioner?

The election of the Mayor has changed the way police and crime matters are overseen in West Yorkshire, with the Mayor taking on the functions of the Police and Crime Commissioner. The Mayor may also appoint a Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime to support with this work. 

Does having a West Yorkshire Mayor mean local authority leaders and councillors will have less power?

Local authority leaders and councillors are still responsible for the delivery of day-to-day public services within their constituency while the Mayor works alongside local authority leaders and councillors to create strategies and policies that benefit the people of West Yorkshire at a regional level. No functions or funding have been taken away from local authorities or their leaders.

How do existing local authority mayors work with the Mayor of West Yorkshire?

Existing local authority mayors work with the Mayor of West Yorkshire in the same way that local councillors do. Local authority leaders and councillors are still responsible for the delivery of day-to-day public services within their constituency while the Mayor works alongside local authority leaders to prioritise issues that matter to people at a regional level