By Harry Mottram: Nice work if you can get it goes the old saying and that could be true of a report by the journalist Andrew Lynch when he asked the Metro Mayor’s office what were the seven duties of the deputy to Helen Godwin?
The deputy to the Mayor of the West of England Combined Mayoral Authority is Bath and North East Somerset Council’s leader Kevin Guy. Andrew Lynch discovered in the answer that Cllr Guy didn’t in the first year of his role have to deputise at all but he was still paid £19,300.
Mr Lynch noted: “It also showed that the authority had no clue about what the deputy mayor was up to on Weca’s behalf.
“How can members of this audit committee or the auditors be assured that any value for money is being created or maintained by paying unitary authority leaders for this seemingly nominal post?”
Local Democracy Reporter Adam Postans reported that Cllr Guy said: “The role of deputy mayor is an important part of the West of England Combined Authority’s governance arrangements, helping to ensure continuity of leadership and representation across the region.
“During my year in the role, I was pleased to support the mayor and represent the West of England on our shared regional priorities.
“The allowance attached to the role is independently determined through the combined authority’s independent remuneration panel, which considered the responsibilities involved. ”
Cllr Guy is stepping down to be replaced by Bristol Cllr Tony Dyer as the deputy metro mayor.
The previous Metro Mayor Dan Norris didn’t have a deputy. Mr Norris is the MP for North Somerset and is still under investigation for sexual offences.
Bath Voice and Local Democracy Reporters
The journalists are funded by the BBC as part of its latest Charter commitment, but are employed by regional news organisations. A total of 165 reporters are allocated to news organisations in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland including Bath Voice. These organisations range from television and radio stations to online media companies and established regional newspaper groups. Local Democracy Reporters cover top-tier local authorities, second-tier local authorities and other public service organisations.
Bath Voice Monthly Newspaper is distributed free to thousands of homes and some supermarkets – distributed from the first of the month. Harry Mottram is the News Editor
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