North of Tyne's £65,000 mayor 'less powerful than parish council chairman'

The North of Tyne's new £65,000-a-year mayor "does not even have the powers of a parish council chairman", a leading councillor has complained.

It was confirmed last week that the region's new figurehead, who will be elected in May, would pocket a salary that is almost £30,000 more than Tees Valley counterpart Ben Houchen earns.

The salary, which is at the lower end of the pay scale for combined authority mayors across England, was justified on the basis of the "high profile ambassadorial element of the role and the significant impact the role will have on the communities and economic growth of the North of Tyne area".

However, Tory councillor Gregah Roughead told colleagues on Thursday that the new mayor's limited powers made their pay packet "disproportionate".

At a meeting of the North of Tyne Combined Authority's overview and scrutiny committee, which he chairs, Coun Roughead said: "The mayor does not even have the powers of a parish council chairman with a casting vote. A civic mayor probably has more powers than the combined authority one will.

"How can we justify giving £65,000 to a weak mayor, when our nearest neighbour combined authority has five councils rather than three, a population not dissimilar, has more powers, yet only pays £35,000?

"It seems disproportionate. I appreciate that you want to attract the right sort of people to stand for mayor and you want a first-rate politician. But there is a disparity that I have concerns about."

Coun Roughead said that the direction of the new combined authority will be set by the area's council leaders, and that the new mayor will have limited scope to deviate from the priorities already set in motion.

He added that the mayor will effectively act as an ambassador, promoting the interests of Newcastle, Northumberland, and North Tyneside in London and elsewhere.

The combined authority's cabinet agreed the salary last week, after it was recommended by an independent panel.

A report to the cabinet stated: "The panel came to the conclusion that the allowance paid to the Mayor of the North of Tyne Combined Authority should be pitched at £65,000 in the light of the high profile ambassadorial element of the role and the significant impact the role will have on the communities and economic growth of the North of Tyne area.

"The panel did not consider it would be appropriate for the allowance to be any higher due to the relatively limited powers the North of Tyne Mayor will have upon their election.

"This situation may change in future as additional powers are allocated by Central Government to Combined Authority Mayors."

The highest-paid elected mayor in England is Greater Manchester's Andy Burnham, who earns £110,000 a year. The West Midlands' Andy Street is paid £79,000, while Mr Houchen earns just £36,592.

North Tyneside Council's elected mayor Norma Redfearn earns £64,235, while the leaders of Newcastle and Northumberland councils are granted allowances of £17,550 and £27,000 respectively. Members of Parliament are paid £77,379, while Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Vera Baird earns £85,000.

The only confirmed candidate for May's mayoral election so far is Liberal Democrat John Appleby.

Labour are expected to announce their candidate next week, with Newcastle City Council leader Nick Forbes and Momentum-backed city councillor Jamie Driscoll fighting for the nomination.

The Conservatives are yet to announce a candidate.