03 August 2001
Albert Bore, a long-time advocate of directly elected mayors, said intervention was possible because a ballot scheduled to begin later this month may prove inconclusive.
Bore said the postal vote could have such a low turnout that even if a mayoral option were selected the result could be disregarded by opponents.
If so, he added, the government must resolve the issue that has become a long-running sore in local Birmingham politics.
'If there is any further consultation after that I suspect ministers may take a view of forcing a referendum,' Bore told Public Finance.
Many of his ruling Labour group are opposed to the idea of a mayor and Bore said they might try to leaflet residents to bolster opposition.
The council has already run a questionnaire and convened a special commission to look into the issue. Last year it concluded that a ballot should be held.
Another council that looks as if it might eschew the mayoral route is Ipswich. The first results from a wide-ranging consultation were shown to councillors on August 2. Almost 50% supported the Cabinet approach, with 30% backing a mayoral system
'Looking at the results I don't think it [a directly elected mayor] is likely,' said David Payne, policy and review officer at Ipswich.
The borough council was due to review results from other sections of the town, including the voluntary sector, businesses and the health authority, before a final decision is made.
PFaug2001
