Should Tameside have an elected mayor?

[Martin]

If you live in Tameside, you are able to take part in Tameside's consultation about whether or not there should be an elected mayor for Tameside.

They've kept this a bit quiet as I have only just had my attention drawn to this, and the consultation closes tomorrow (Feb 15th)!

To have your say, follow this link:
http://www.tameside.gov.uk/governanceconsultation
You will be asked for name and address, which of the two options you prefer and whether you wish to add a comment.

The two options are explained thus....
Option A: The 'new-style' Leader and Cabinet Executive
- The Leader would be elected by the Council and would be one of the 57 elected councillors.
- The Leader would have a fixed term of four years, but could be removed by the Council earlier.
- The Leader would appoint a Deputy and Cabinet and allocate responsibility for all Executive functions.
-- The Cabinet would recommend the budget and major policies to the Council, but the full Council could change this by a simple majority.
- There would be no additional cost.

Option B:  The elected Mayor and Cabinet Executive
- The Mayor would be elected by local electors in a separate election, and would be in addition to the 57 elected councillors.
- The Mayor would hold office for four years and could not be removed by the Council.
- The elected Mayor would appoint a Deputy and Cabinet and allocate responsibility for all Executive functions.
- The Cabinet would recommend the budget and major policies to the Council, but the full Council could only change these by a two-thirds majority.
- This option would require an increase in cost for an election and a greater special responsibility allowance for the Mayor.

If you live in Tameside follow the link and have your say quickly!
http://www.tameside.gov.uk/governanceconsultation

(Presumably under Option A we would still get to have a civic mayor to attend functions and events, as at present.)

[musky]

They've kept it quiet for a reason ?  Is Roy going to call it a day.

[Kiwi]

57 elected councillors to run the place, somebody's having a giraffe ain't they ??

[GayJ]

I'd theoretically go for an elected Mayor and fewer counclllors, but that ain't an option.

For once I rather like our current Mayor, a very good chap, who is very interested in Family History and Heritage and I think it's a very great pity he only has a one year term, although I know he might think it exhausting with all the functions he attends.

The present system doesn't seem very democratic since we now have the longest  serving Council Leader in the country.  I don't think the current or previous crop of elected members would have seriously had the nerve to unseat him.

Although rumour has it that this year will be his last.

[hoggyman]

Hmm let hope it is.   by by

[Martin]

Some of us had tea with the mayor in his parlour last week.  

He spoke highly of Councillor Oldham and of the present system, saying that he could have been voted out had the majority of others not wanted him as leader or agreed with his way of doing things.

He pointed out that under the current system, Tameside has become recognised as one of the two best local authorities in the country.

[jaywit]

Some of us had tea with the mayor in his parlour last week.  

He spoke highly of Councillor Oldham and of the present system, saying that he could have been voted out had the majority of others not wanted him as leader or agreed with his way of doing things.

He pointed out that under the current system, Tameside has become recognised as one of the two best local authorities in the country.

Local politics.
I know it doesn't affect me but I do know the 1st.rule is don't rock the boat.
They all p*e in the same pot.

[GayJ]

Some of us had tea with the mayor in his parlour last week.  

He spoke highly of Councillor Oldham and of the present system, saying that he could have been voted out had the majority of others not wanted him as leader or agreed with his way of doing things.

He pointed out that under the current system, Tameside has become recognised as one of the two best local authorities in the country.

I was at a similar meeting with the Mayor in November and despite all our moans etc, I do believe we have a very well run council, but I still don't think people would have the nerve to vote Cllr Oldham out, it might look like a mutiny.

[Denise]

He's certainly had the monopoly as leader for a long time. Not everyone's favourite as you can read on 'Tameside-Eye.blogspot'. Didn't want to create a link as some of the language used is 'choice'. However, there is a recent posting on there entitled 'Roy Oldham's downfall', linked to a clip from YouTube. Don't know whether this a fair portrayal of the man, I'll leave it to you!!  

[chrisandandangie]

  Its hilarious Denise,more so I suppose if you know all the characters (which i do  )
Ooh another blog to follow !

[jaywit]

Ditto Chris,
"All's true in love and war" "If the truth hurts tough sh*t"
I don't know who came up with that but it's priceless.(profanities included) I've always maintained it is lack of vocabulary,but as my vocabulary isn't too "enriched"and given the scenario,the words couldn't have been better.Especially with the democratic rules.1 man 1 vote.
"Mushroom Syndrome"? Keep e'm in the dark and feed e'm sh*t.
Politics have changed so much since the advent of "real free speech" with the internet!!
Methinks it's a time for some brains to come up with new approaches to feeding the masses information.

[Albert]

 Well it looks like a mutiny in the Tameside Labour Party
 some one as dared to put up against the Leader 

[musky]

Absolutely Priceless  Very Funny.

[Kiwi]

"Now tell me about this mutiny Roy"

[hoggyman]

Top marks for that Kiwi just fab    10 out of 10