On May 1 voters in South Gloucestershire, Bristol and B&NES will choose the region’s next Metro Mayor.
The leader of the West of England Combined Authority has the task of coordinating the region’s transport, housing, infrastructure, jobs, skills and business support strategies.
The mayor works with the leaders of the three councils to deliver policies.
Current Metro Mayor Dan Norris is standing down after being elected as Labour MP for North East Somerset and Hanham last year.
Aiming to succeed him for Labour is Helen Godwin, a former Bristol City Council cabinet member. The Conservatives, who held the post from 2017 to 2021, have also picked a former Bristol city councillor, Steve Smith, to try and win it back. The Greens, third in 2021, have selected Mary Page, a community activist who was their candidate for the Bristol North West seat at the last general election.Bath & North East Somerset councillor Oli Henman is the Liberal Democrats’ choice.South Gloucestershire councillor Ian Scott is standing as an independent. As the Voice went to print, Reform UK had not announced a candidate. We invited the party to contribute to this article.
Nominations opened on March 26 and will close on April 2.
Tell us why you should have top job
The Voice asked each Metro Mayor candidate to answer three questions to find more about who they are, their priorities and plans.
What are the three biggest issues for the region?
Helen Godwin: The lack of a smart, integrated transport network that effectively connects communities and meets local needs.
The critical shortage of affordable homes in communities with essential services.
The need for sustainable economic growth that delivers quality jobs and training opportunities across our entire region.
As your Labour Mayor working alongside a Labour government, I’ll bring together stakeholders and private companies to tackle these challenges with my proven track record of delivery.
Oli Henman: The top issue is the need to improve public transport. This includes rapidly expanding reliable buses, alongside an integrated approach to trains and mass transit as well as improved cycle routes.
Secondly, we have an opportunity to build the jobs of the future, we need pathways through training and into employment in key areas such as renewables, net zero construction, engineering and technology innovation.
I would also highlight the need for genuinely affordable housing in locations with good transport connections.
Mary Page: We need a New Green Deal for the West of England.
Public transport is unreliable or non-existent. We are experiencing biodiversity loss, climate change, pollution, conflict between development versus nature yet also a lack of affordable housing.
I will prioritise making public transport accessible and available 24 hours a day. Improve our environment and sustainability policies, support communities with local plans and upskill our people. Work with social housing developers and use the Green Infrastructure Fund to unlock private investment.
Ian Scott: Government Funding – Give us our money back. The West of England is a net contributor to the economy, so why is it not in the first tranche of the Integrated Settlement, like West Yorkshire? West of England or West Yorkshire? West of England voters will want to get fair funding and gets its money back to fund local services.
Mass transit system – We are the biggest city in Europe without a mass transit system
Cheap bus fares.
Steve Smith: Ending local councils’ war on the motorist who are hitting people with new parking charges and wasting limited regional funding on closing off roads.
Transforming public transport by opening at least five new local train stations (three in South Glos), increasing service frequency. And prioritising bus services to improve coverage for communities affected by cuts like Chipping Sodbury.
Championing our Green Belt by promoting a “brownfield first” approach to housing and promoting higher density development in the centre of Bristol.
If you win, what would your first action be?
SS: To stop frittering away regional transport funding on schemes that close and curtail road access. The first to go will be the Labour Mayor’s planned congestion-creating and deeply unpopular A4 Bus Lane on the Keynsham Bypass between Bath and Bristol.
IS: Call in the bus operators to plan better bus routes to increase bus usage and keep bus fares as low as possible, whilst demanding a fair funding system from the government for the West of England.
MP: Meet all staff to outline my plans and hear theirs. Instruct an audit of policy documents and ways of working to ensure a sustainability first approach.
Start investigation into Franchising and set up outline brief for a Freedom travel card.
OH: This is a key moment to rebuild trust in the role of the Mayor to drive new opportunities for our region. I would start by bringing together all the key stakeholders to listen and design a shared strategy on transport, housing and jobs.
HG: If elected, my first action will be assembling a top-tier team at the West of England Authority – professionals demonstrating clear regional value while delivering immediate results. No wasted time, just tangible outcomes for our communities from day one.
What qualifies you for the job?
MP: Worked in community development support at Shirehampton Jobs, Training and Enterprise, Jobs 22 Marketing Manager, DWP Work Coach, National Composites Centre Business Development, South Gloucestershire Council political advisor, National Union of Journalists SW Exec, Trustee and Residents’ Association Chair.
SS: I’ve worked in business, the NHS and local government. Crucially I have a proven track record of campaigning on local issues. This includes taking the fight to Lib/Lab South Gloucestershire Council against their Green Belt destroying, congestion creating Local Plan.
HG: As a deeply-rooted local with generations of family across the West Country, I’ve proven my ability to deliver real change as both a business leader and Bristol cabinet member. My reputation for getting things done by bringing together key stakeholders will secure the investment our region deserves.
OH: I have local roots and an international outlook. I have experience as a local councillor in the leadership at Bath & NE Somerset and deep expertise in sustainable development. I can deliver locally, raise the profile of the region and draw international investment.
IS: I have been a councillor 25 years – Filton 15 years and South Glos 10 years. I worked as a local government policy adviser for South Glos Council two years, Bristol 10 years, and South West councils Local Governance Assessor.
• Polling day is Thursday, May 1. Pollin g stations will be open from 7am to 10pm.
The deadline for registering to vote is April 11.
Postal vote applications have to be made by 5pm on April 14 and proxy vote applications have to be made by 5pm on April 23.
Voters will need to photo ID, including a passport, driving licence or older person’s bus pass, to vote in person on the day. Anyone without photo ID can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate, also by April 23.
More information on voting can be found on the WECA website at tinyurl.com/2s468mh6, the South Gloucestershire Council website at tinyurl.com/2mwsnmxt or by calling 01454 863030.