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Go
for Gold!
Elected mayors
Elected mayors are a new departure for local
government and opinions vary as to whether or not they are a
good idea. Just 13 per cent of the electorate voted 'Yes' in
the referendum and the low turnout should give us cause for concern.
Despite our scepticism about elected mayors,
in a democracy we have to work within the system as it stands.
A Liberal Democrat administration will aim to make the mayoral
system work as well as possible. However, we think that there
should be as early an opportunity for the people to give their
verdict on the new system.
One of the main reasons we were concerned
about elected mayors is the danger inherent in personal rule,
with insufficient checks and balances. A Liberal Democrat mayor
will aim to build consensus among the political parties and the
citizens of the town, rather than allow the system to become
a local dictatorship.
Whereas under Labour Watford has lost out
because of its poor relations with the county council, Dorothy
Thornhill will work to re-build the relationship and work constructively
with the county council and the police authority.
Dorothy will work with partner agencies in
the public, private and voluntary sectors to get the best deal
for Watford. But she will not be afraid to speak up for the town.
She is not handicapped by having to support the national government,
as a Labour mayor would be.
If elected as mayor, Dorothy Thornhill will:
- Provide a strong voice for our town
in working with outside organisations and central government
and 'fighting Watford's corner'.
- Have an open door policy for public
and council staff alike to raise issues with the mayor. 4 Attend
area committees regularly and hold quarterly public question
time sessions to enable people to hold the mayor accountable.
- Use new media to let people talk directly
to the mayor, for example 'live' question and answer sessions
on the web
- Include representatives of opposition
groups on the executive and, depending on the political balance
on the council, consider offering portfolios to councillors
of other parties.
- Avoid using the greater powers of the
mayor to override council decisions (these would be used only
in exceptional circumstances, for example to avoid breaking
an explicit manifesto commitment).
- Hold a referendum to enable the public
to have their say on the new mayoral system at the earliest
opportunity (ideally this should be before the end of the first
mayoral term and we will press the government to allow this
to happen).
- In the event of a majority Liberal Democrat
administration, to allocate chairs of scrutiny panels to opposition
groups in proportion to their strength on the council.
- Mend the council's current difficult
relationship with Herts County Council so that Watford's citizens
get the best possible deal.
- Produce quarterly reports on the mayor's
work to the citizens of Watford, paid for by the Liberal Democrats
not by the Council.
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