Mayors elsewhere in the country earn between £65k and £110k, but how much should the new mayor for York and North Yorkshire take home?
That question will decided by a special panel which is being set up.
The new North Yorkshire Combined Authority met for the first time last week, they revealed that the new body will employ 54 staff at a cost of £4.5m per year.
North Yorkshire Council's Assistant Chief Exec - Barry Kahn - said it would be up to an independent panel to decide how much the Mayor should earn.
According to the website citymayors.com, West Yorkshire mayor Tracey Brabin is paid an annual allowance of £106,837, South Yorkshire mayor Dan Jarvis receives £79,000 and Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen is paid £65,000.
North Yorkshire Council's Deputy Leader - Councillor Gareth Dadd - says the figure for North Yorkshire's Mayor needs to be decided before nominations for May's election close.
The new North Yorkshire Combined Authority will be led by the region’s first-ever mayor with voters going to the polls on May 2.
James Farrar, interim director of transition, said the 54 officers will help to deliver £56m of “transformational programmes” related to housing, education, business and net zero.
They will also work to win additional investment and support businesses in the region.
Staff currently working in the office of Zoe Metcalfe, Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, will transfer into the combined authority.
Mr Farrar added:
“The launch of the combined authority marks a historic moment for York and North Yorkshire as powers and funds previously held by Westminster have been devolved to local decision makers. That means more local controls and investment into local priorities.”
Cllr Andy Brown (Green Party, Aire Valley) said he would have preferred to see one mayor for the whole of Yorkshire which he believes could assert more influence in Westminster.
But he said he hopes the role will lead to more investment in the region.
Cllr Brown said:
“Lots of little mayors with different powers risks becoming a mess where people in London offer local leaders funding to do what they are told.”
“I welcome the opportunity for a North Yorkshire mayor to play a positive role in attracting responsible and sustainable economic development but would not welcome a repeat of the shambolic cynical misuse of public money that has taken place in Teesside under their badly controlled mayor.”
Joanna Marchong, investigations campaign manager of campaign group the Taxpayers’ Alliance said residents “will be sceptical of a huge pay bill” amidst talk of savings.
She added:
“Combined authorities often deliver cheaper, more efficient services and York and North Yorkshire combined authority should be no exception. Officials must iron out the details and ensure residents are getting value for money.”
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