MAYORAL ELECTION 2022

The pre-election period of sensitivity occurs in the weeks leading up to an election or referendum. The period is also called the period of ‘heightened sensitivity’ and in the past was often known by the term ‘purdah’.

It is a time when governments, ministers and civil servants will exercise caution in making announcements or decisions that might have an effect on the election campaign. The exact period depends on the type of election.

The pre-election period for the UK and devolved governments and their civil servants is not set out in law but is governed by conventions.

You can read more about the pre-election period on the parliament.uk website.

The Mayor is a major figure in the political life of the area. They have a demanding and wide-ranging role representing the 1.4 million residents of South Yorkshire. The Mayor act as an ambassador for the area; promoting it as a place to live, work, visit and invest in.

The Mayor is a member, and Chair of, the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (MCA) and a member of the South Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP). The Mayor supports the objectives of the Combined Authority to develop and grow South Yorkshire’s economy.  

The Mayor is responsible for specific functions of the MCA that are ‘Mayoral Functions’. The Mayoral Functions are: transport-related functions, housing and planning functions, and finance powers.

The Mayor also has the ability to bring together partners across the region to inclusive and sustainable growth to ensure investments are prioritised in a way that makes a real difference to the people of South Yorkshire.

In 2021/22 the South Yorkshire MCA has a budget of around £360m to invest in economic development. This includes funding for transport, the Adult Education Budget (of around £42m per academic year), a Gainshare allocation (£30m per annum for 30 years) , and other devolved monies such as the Brownfield Fund (£40m).

No.  Each of the four district councils in South Yorkshire provide the services needed and used by their local communities.  The Mayor and MCA make decisions that impact on and improve the South Yorkshire economy such as public transport, adult skills, education and business growth.

The term for the Mayor is four years. The successful candidate will be elected for a four-year term, with another election taking place in May 2026.

A metro mayor is responsible for strategic development across a whole city region, made up of several local authorities.

Directly-elected local authority mayors don’t have any more powers than leaders of local authorities organised by leader and cabinet or by committee structures. However, they do benefit from being accountable to every voter equally across the council area and political stability to plan and deliver over four years once elected.

Lord Mayors, quite separate from metro and city mayors, are ceremonial positions held without decision making powers