In May 2017 Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority elected its first metro mayor, James Palmer for the Conservatives. He has control over the whole combined authority area, working with existing city leaders to take forward the strategic plan. You can find out more about the metro mayors on our FAQ page.
The economic and political outlook for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough’s new metro mayor
This page brings together the key facts and figures about the area’s economy and asks what local residents see as the top priorities for the new metro mayor.
The economic data for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough consists of the following local authorities: Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, East Cambridgeshire, Fenland, Huntingdonshire, Peterborough, South Cambridgeshire
Understanding how the city-region performs on key areas such as productivity and employment helps the new metro mayor to assess what they should prioritise. The table below shows how Cambridgeshire and Peterborough compares to the national average on these indicators.
You can also find data on areas that the metro mayor has the most power over on the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Metro Mayor Data Dashboard.
The economic outlook for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough
What powers does the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough metro mayor have?
Below is a table detailing the powers that the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough metro mayor has. The original East Anglia deal is available here.
The key priorities for the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough metro mayor
Ahead of the election, we outlined three key policy priorities that the metro mayor must focus on in his first term:
Policy priority 1: A quick win
Fund improvements to public transport in underserved areas and tackle traffic problems by introducing a congestion charge in Cambridge
- Ease growing traffic pressures in Cambridge by introducing a congestion charge
- Commit to investing revenues from the scheme to enable radical improvements to public transport
- Use new mayoral powers offered to mayors to reregulate bus services, better linking people living near Cambridge and Peterborough to job opportunities in and around the cities
Policy priority 2: A strategic aim
Put in place a spatial plan to address housing pressures and provide commercial space where it is required
- Make Peterborough city centre a more attractive place to do business
- Build consensus on the need for housing and commercial space
Policy priority 3: A longer term vision
Address low skills levels, particularly in and around Peterborough
- Tackle poor school performance in Peterborough
- Improve the qualifications of those already in work
What is the political landscape in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough?
The current metro mayor is Conservative James Palmer who won with 57% of the vote after second preferences. Second was Liberal Democrat candidate Rod Cantrill with 43.7%. The turn out was 33%.
Find out more about metro mayors
Check ‘Getting ready for mayors’ for all the latest blogs, articles, events and research on the new mayors.
Get up to date on the policies and powers affecting the metro mayors by reading our metro mayors FAQ.
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