Referendum date set for mayoral election

PLYMOUTH is set to go to the polls this summer to vote on whether to have an elected mayor. A referendum, estimated to cost £410,000, is expected to take place on Thursday, July 17.

- By WILLIAM TELFORD [e-mail]

Proposals for the referendum will be discussed at Plymouth City Council's full meeting on Monday, April 28. The referendum will be formally confirmed when a Notice of Poll is published, following the council meeting.

At the referendum, those on the electoral register will be asked to have their say on whether Plymouth City Council's governance model should be changed from a leader model to a directly elected mayor (DEM).

This process is separate from and not related to the ongoing discussions about Plymouth potentially joining a combined regional authority, that could be led by an elected strategic mayor under Government devolution proposals.