Newham: 'Gravy train' mayor system under fire

6:18am Thursday 5th October 2006

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A CAMPAIGN has been launched to scrap Newham Council's elected mayor system.

A cross-party group of activists believes the way the borough is currently governed by a mayor and cabinet is an undemocratic "gravy train".

The campaigners, led by former councillor Mike Law, have launched the initiative under the banner Newham Campaign for Democracy.

They feel the legislation that permitted the introduction of elected mayors has allowed a situation to develop in which nearly half of Newham's councillors are paid extra allowances as advisers or cabinet members.

Mr Law said: "The Local Government Act 2000 allows for elected mayors to establish a cabinet of two to nine members to assist in the executive role.

"There is no mention of mayoral advisers, community champions or any of the other tosh created in Newham."

Newham Council's executive consists of the mayor, four cabinet members and 19 advisers and deputies at a combined annual cost to the taxpayer of £442,831.

Mr Law said that with so many councillors being paid large allowances, it has become more difficult for there to be genuine debate on the council.

Another former councillor, John Saunders, agreed.

He said: "The mayor can give or remove the allowances almost instantly. There are no checks and balances in the system.

"Other councillors have no say."

The Local Government Act 2000 obliged all large authorities to abolish the old committee-style system where every councillor had a voice in decisions.

Authorities could choose to adopt a leader and cabinet system or, subject to a referendum, an elected mayor.

Sir Robin Wales was elected four years ago, and retained his post in May's poll.

The campaigners want to persuade at least five per cent of the electorate to sign a petition to pressure the council into holding a referendum.

Twelve councils across the UK have directly elected mayors, and there have been calls in at least four areas (Doncaster, Hartlepool, Lewisham and Stoke-on-Trent) for the post to be abolished.

Sources close to the Labour Party accused Mr Law, who unsuccessfully stood against Sir Robin in the mayoral elections, of sour grapes.

A Newham Labour group spokesman said: "Newham overwhelmingly endorsed the principle of having a mayor in a referendum, and this May voters once again strongly endorsed the incumbent mayor's record.

"The evidence suggests the people of Newham like direct accountability and that they like the current mayor, Sir Robin Wales.

"This move is likely to be a monumental waste of time and money and detracts from Labour's excellent record and positive agenda in Newham."