Current position
The office of Mayor has been established, but no person currently holds it. The first mayoral election has not yet taken place.
The Mayor's role
Once in office, the Mayor will chair the Combined Sphere Authority and provide strategic democratic leadership for Steadfast and Hearth. The Mayor will exercise the functions assigned to the mayoral office, represent the area in strategic relationships and lead the post-election executive arrangements.
The Mayor works within the Authority's constitutional framework. Some decisions are mayoral, some belong to the Authority collectively, and others are taken by committees or officers under lawful delegations. The published decision record identifies the responsible decision-maker for each formal decision.
Cabinet and appointments
The Mayor will appoint the Cabinet in accordance with the constitution and the applicable appointment arrangements. Cabinet portfolios provide political leadership across areas of the Authority's work; they do not change the legal source or ownership of a function.
Police and crime governance
From the transfer date following the first Mayor taking office, the Mayor will become the democratic police and crime governance authority for South Havenstead Police.
That role concerns strategic priorities, plans, accountability and the other governance functions conferred by law. The Chief Constable remains responsible for the operational direction and control of South Havenstead Police, including individual investigations, deployments and operational decisions.
Working with the constituent councils
The Mayor will lead at regional level while the six constituent councils continue to represent and govern their own local areas. The combined-authority model is intended to join those perspectives together: regional priorities are considered with the councils, and the decision-making rules determine when constituent-authority agreement or participation is required.
Accountability
Mayoral decisions are published through the Authority's decision-making system and are subject to the scrutiny, finance, legal and governance arrangements that apply to the function concerned. The public record will show mayoral decisions once the office is occupied and formal decisions are taken.
Before the first election
Until the first Mayor takes office, the Authority continues under its present collective arrangements. Preparatory work for the mayoral model does not confer the office or mayoral powers on any individual before the lawful election and commencement process is complete.