Mayoral Elections 2024: A CIOB Perspective

On Thursday 2 May, local elections will be taking place across the UK, for both local councillors and Combined Authority Metro Mayors in England. 

Metro Mayors have executive powers and funding available for their city regions, to make strategic decisions over a range of local matters. Many of the policy areas within the mayors remit are related to construction and the built environment, including skills, infrastructure, housing, business support and transport. Mayors are the chair of their Combined Authority, which is constituted by the area’s local councils.  

In 2024, there will be nine Metro Mayor elections in England, including the election of three new mayors for the following Combined Authority Areas that have been recently established:

• York and North Yorkshire

• The East Midlands

• The North East

The three new Combined Authorities established will mean that there will be a total of eleven Metro Mayors in from May 2024, covering 34% of the total population for England. 

It is a key year for industries to engage with Metro Mayors. In addition to the election of three new Mayors, May 2024 brings the full incorporation of the local economic strategy-making functions previously held by Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) into Combined Authorities. May will also bring the first mayoral elections since the trailblazer devolution deals for the Greater Manchester, West Midlands and North East Combined Authorities, which bring greater powers for their respective mayors, such as increased freedom to determine spending in their regions. 

Due to the Governments flagship levelling-up agenda, and an expressed will to increase devolution to city regions from both major political parties ahead of a general election, England is likely to experience a deepening of devolved powers in the years ahead. 

Why should CIOB members be involved in engaging mayoral candidates?

CIOB members can seek opportunities to engage their local mayoral candidates to raise the challenges and opportunities faced by industry. It is vital that Metro Mayors and their teams are informed of the needs of construction businesses in delivering regional development plans of the Combined Authority. Whilst the powers devolved vary between Combined Authorities, there are a range of key policy areas within the remit of Metro Mayor’s decision-making in England that are relevant to construction:

1. Shaping Urban Spaces

Mayors wield significant influence over local urban planning. Their decisions impact local housing developments, public spaces, and infrastructure. By engaging with mayoral candidates, CIOB members ensure that construction professionals’ perspectives are used to shape local development plans. 

2. Skills and Workforce

The construction industry faces a skills gap. Mayors can influence education policies, apprenticeship programs, and vocational training. A great example of this is the West Midlands Combined Authority that has invested money into construction boot camps and have seen an increase in young people developing the right skills and experiences for a career in the industry. Member involvement in these discussions ensures that workforce development remains a priority and the elected mayor understands where funding must be placed. 

3. Sustainability

As we are in the midst of a climate emergency, extreme weather events, rising sea levels, and resource scarcity stand to impact our city regions. Mayors must champion the adaptation of the built environment, to both reduce its environmental impact as well to improve its resilience towards future changes to the climate. To achieve improved sustainability of the built environment, however, they must gain an understanding on the needs of and practical challenges faced by construction businesses in delivering a green transition. 

4. Innovation and Technology

Smart cities thrive on innovation. Mayoral hustings provide a platform to discuss digital transformation of the built environment, BIM, and off-site construction. Members engaging in this discussion will be able to help inform on the current challenges and opportunities to support innovation in construction.

5. Social Value

We know that the built environment impacts our communities and there is an opportunity for mayors to promote social value through facilitating inclusive design, affordable housing, and community engagement. 

What are Mayoral Hustings? 

Mayoral hustings are dynamic events where candidates vying for the position of mayor engage in lively debates, share their visions, and present policies that will shape the future of cities and regions. From infrastructure development to housing, transport, and sustainability, these events provide a unique opportunity for the construction industry to influence decision-making.

To give the built environment industry a voice ahead of the elections, CIOB is looking to engage with mayoral candidates, such as by partnering with other professional bodies to hold a husting event for the West Midlands.

The CIOB’s Role

Our mission extends beyond bricks and mortar. We champion the built environment, advocate for excellence, and promote sustainable practices in construction to policymakers. 

CIOB plays an active role during election periods by advocating for construction and the built environment in the public interest. The CIOB will take part in mayoral husting events, advocating for policies that enhance the construction sector’s impact. We will also create opportunities to meet and inform the elected Mayor on critical opportunities issues such as skills shortages, sustainability, and innovation in construction.

Mayoral candidates need informed policy ideas, particularly when they come into office and look to shape the Combined Authorities agenda for the years ahead. CIOB can contribute by sharing research, insights, and best practices with Combined Authorities. The importance of consistent long-term planning, quality construction, and collaboration across sectors is a matter that we emphasise with all policy makers and one that will be important for elected Metro Mayors.

Conclusion

Mayoral elections are not mere political spectacles; future officeholders will make decisions that shape English city regions for decades to come. With an increase in devolved powers and funding across England, it is more important than ever that the construction industry has it’s voice heard by elected mayors leading English regions. The CIOB’s active involvement ensures that construction professionals contribute to policies that create a vibrant, sustainable, and resilient built environment across England. 

If you would like to learn more about CIOB’s engagement with policymakers and the key policy areas we work on, please visit the Policy and Research area of our website. Alternatively, for further information please contact us at [email protected] .

Remember, as stakeholders in the built environment, our engagement matters. Let’s participate, advocate, and build a better future together.