Doubts cast over Sheffield City Region interim mayor

THE prospects of an interim metro-mayor being installed so South Yorkshire can receive millions of pounds have been played down after the idea was floated by a Sheffield MP.
Sheffield South East MP Clive Betts has proposed an interim metro mayor for the Sheffield City RegionSheffield South East MP Clive Betts has proposed an interim metro mayor for the Sheffield City Region
Sheffield South East MP Clive Betts has proposed an interim metro mayor for the Sheffield City Region

The Sheffield City Region Combined Authority confirmed it had not held discussions with the Government over the possibility of appointing an interim metro-mayor.

Senior council figures in South Yorkshire also suggested there was little chance the idea would be taken forward.

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A metro-mayor for the Sheffield City Region - covering South Yorkshire, Chesterfield and Bassetlaw, was due to be elected in May.

However the election was recently postponed following a legal judgement and tensions between South Yorkshire councils.

The metro-mayor was a condition of a devolution agreement with the Government to take on new powers and to access £30m of extra funding.

However, it has been confirmed that the postponement of the mayoral election will also delay the start of the extra funding for the area.

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Earlier this week, Sheffield South-East MP Clive Betts suggested an interim mayor could be appointed to allow the area to benefit from the £30m before next year’s election.

Northern Powerhouse Minister Andrew Percy left the door open for the idea, promising the Government would “look at interim mayors if necessary”.

But a Sheffield City Region Combined Authority spokesman said no conversations had been held with ministers about the idea.

A council source told The Yorkshire Post the idea had previously been discussed but there was scepticism over whether it would overcome the issues raised in the legal judgement last year.

A judge upheld a Derbyshire County Council challenge over the consultation process governing Chesterfield’s inclusion in the devolution agreement.