NEW Metro Mayor Helen Godwin has said things will be “very different” under her than under the previous Labour mayor.
The winner of May’s mayoral election has pledged to “work cross-party for the West Country” – and her first act after being sworn in was to appoint Liberal Democrat Kevin Guy as her deputy mayor.
The position of deputy mayor had not been used since Ms Godwin’s predecessor Dan Norris was elected in 2021.
During his time in charge the combined authority was put on notice by the government over a number of performance issues, including poor relationships between politicians.
The deputy mayor’s position will rotate annually between the leaders of the three councils which make up the West of England Combined Authority.
Cllr Guy, who is the leader of Bath & North East Somerset Council, said he was “honoured” to take up the role.
On the election night the new mayor said her approach “will feel very different but it will be very proactive: just getting stuff done, working with people, working with whoever I need to”.
Expanding on the theme after she was sworn in, Ms Godwin said: “To get the best for all of us in the West Country, politicians must put politics to one side. That’s how we’ll lay the Bristol to Portishead Line, build new affordable homes, and help create the jobs of the future.”
Ms Godwin also pledged to work “across party lines” with Green Bristol city Council leader Tony Dyer and Lib Dem South Gloucestershire Council leader Maggie Tyrrell, as well as fellow Labour politician Ian Boulton, who is the co-leader of South Gloucestershire.
She said: “We all need to roll up our sleeves and pitch in. Our residents deserve nothing less, and that’s the only way that we will make things happen.”
The leaders of Bath & North East Somerset, Bristol and South Gloucestershire councils, together with the mayor, make up WECA’s decision-making committee.
Cllr Tyrrell and Cllr Boulton issued a joint statement, which said: “We believe Helen now has the best possible opportunity to take advantage of the greater spirit of collaboration we now enjoy with our partners and we look forward to working together to unlock the amazing potential for prosperity our region has for the benefit of our residents, businesses and the national economy.”
Cllr Guy said: “We now have an opportunity to create a collaborative working relationship across the region, ensuring we get at least our fair share of central government funding, and moving ahead with key projects.”
Cllr Dyer said Ms Godwin was taking over at a “critical time”, adding: “Working alongside Helen and my counterparts in the region’s other local authorities I hope to continue our efforts to bring these valuable working relationships closer for the benefit of all of us.”
The mayor and WECA are expected to be given extra powers as the government promises to devolve more spending and decision-making to regions.
They will be responsible for delivering the region’s Local Growth Plan, to drive economic growth over the next ten years.
Bus meeting
METRO Mayor Helen Godwin has met with the acting managing director of First Bus Wales & West, Rob Pymm, to discuss the future of services.
Ms Godwin said: “My biggest priority remains getting our region moving.
“Long-standing transport challenges are at the top of my in-tray, so it was great to hit the ground running with Rob.
“We talked about challenges around consistency and reliability of some services, and agreed to work together at pace to improve things.
“I’m determined to deliver real change on transport, working collaboratively with our local councils and bus operators.”
Mr Pymm said: “We share Helen’s focus on continuing to improve services and welcome her emphasis on working collaboratively to achieve that, both through continued investment in services as well as efforts on bus priority and tackling congestion, so that everyone can benefit from faster and more reliable buses.”
Includes reporting by John Wimperis, Local Democracy Reporting Service
Ex-mayor on bail
FORMER Metro Mayor Dan Norris remains on conditional bail after being arrested in April on suspicion of sexual offences against a girl, rape, child abduction and misconduct in a public office.
Mr Norris, who had already announced he was stepping down as Metro Mayor, was subsequently suspended from the Labour Party and banned from entering both Parliament and the WECA offices in Bristol.
No charges had been brought over the allegations, said to date from the 2000s and 2020s, as the Voice went to print.