01What is a directly-elected metro mayor?

A metro mayor will be voted for directly by the electorate and will be the chair of a combined authority that has agreed to a Devolution Deal. These combined authorities are made up of several local authorities. A directly-elected metro mayor will have powers and responsibilities to make strategic decisions across whole city regions, in contrast to existing city mayors (which are also directly elected) or local council leaders that only make decisions for, and on behalf of, their local authority.

Seven city regions have reached an agreement with national government on a devolution deal so far and will be electing their first metro mayors in May 2017.