Following Mayor Dorothy’s campaign to become an MP, where she stated that if she had she won she would have jointly carried on the role as elected Mayor and MP for some time, we believe that the role of elected Mayor is unnecessary.  Additionally, it is also our view that it is a tragic waste of public funds that could be used for other vital services within the remit of Watford Council. To put this into perspective the elected Mayor’s office cost Watford residents £220,000 in 2014-15 (an increase of 40% from 2013/2014).

We feel this cost burden is too much for Watford residents to pay through their council tax, especially in these times of austerity. Residents are paying an elected mayor a salary of £65,000, + benefits whilst other councils work perfectly well without the additional cost of an elected mayor. For more information on the current Mayoral office’s costs please see the following link - http://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/news/11778638.Row_over_the_cost_of_Watford_

We also believe that as only 36% of residents in Watford voted in the Mayoral election last year, compared to 68% who voted in the recent general election shows that Watford residents possibly do not engage with a continuation of a directly elected mayor in Watford.

We do however accept that the role of Mayor is an important one and that in Watford it should revert back to the ‘leader and cabinet’ model which most council’s favour with an elected councillor taking the role without having the political power associated to the elected mayoral role. For more information on the differences between these roles please see – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Directly_elected_mayors_in_England_and_Wales

Therefore, we intend raising the profile of this issue with a view to a debate and request for Watford residents to have a free vote on whether or not an elected mayor continues in Watford at the next local elections in 2016. If you agree with us please sign this petition, share with your friends and let the people of Watford decide their own future!