Mayor Claire elected chair of national mayors network

Mayor of the East Midlands Claire Ward – the figurehead of the East Midlands Combined County Authority – has been elected to chair a national network of UK mayors.

She has been elected by her fellow mayors to head up the UK Mayors Network – giving her a national leadership role as the Government devolves more power to regions.

The UK Mayors Network is the sector body for strategic authorities. It brings together the regional mayors to discuss shared priorities and work on issues including devolution, transport, skills, housing and economic growth.

Mayor Claire assumes the role of chair from Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, after serving as deputy chair for the past two years.

She will now lead the cross-party group as it works with the Government to strengthen local decision-making and secure the powers, funding and flexibility regions need to deliver for their communities.

Mayor Claire said: “I’m honoured to have been elected to chair the UK Mayors Network.

“Mayors are working across party lines because we all face many of the same challenges – in the East Midlands and across the country – from improving public transport and building the homes people need, to giving people the skills to get on and backing local businesses to grow.”

At the same time, EMCCA chief executive Amy Harhoff has taken over as chair of the UK Mayors Network Chief Executives.

Amy was a keynote speaker at the Derby Property Summit, which took place on Tuesday, where she spoke about the role EMCCA is playing to drive growth across the region.

To read her piece, click here.