'I don't know what the mayor will do'

Yahoo

13-04-2025

The first election to choose a mayor for Greater Lincolnshire is just weeks away, but some people say they are still unsure what the role is all about.
On 1 May voters from North East Lincolnshire and North Lincolnshire council areas along with those covered by Lincolnshire County Council, will pick from six candidates to be the mayor of the Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority (GLCCA).
The mayor will be handed powers to take over local transport services, build new infrastructure such as roads or business parks and is expected to drive what is being called the skills agenda, in other words making sure that there are enough opportunities to train the next generation of care workers, plumbers or engineers.
But do voters know what their mayor will do for them?
Metropolitan areas such as London and Manchester have had mayors for some years, but it seems that Lincolnshire people are still getting used to the idea.
In fact, many are yet to turn their minds to the local elections in general, as BBC Lincolnshire has been finding out in Lincoln's Steep Hill.
Nicola Lockwood, aged 59, owns and runs Bells Tea Shop. She says "there isn't that much information between everyone".
"We've got the county council, city council, the mayor, an MP and I'm not clear what the mayor's responsibilities are," she said.
When asked what she wants from the new mayor she says "support for small, independent businesses because we're struggling".
"But I don't know if they will have the powers to do that."
Blake Francis, aged 27, works in marketing but says that "apart from the polling card coming through" he has not yet really thought much about the local elections.
"I'll look into it in a couple of weeks," he said.
"The main issues for me would be how public money is being spent and environmental issues."
Teaching assistant Christine Bingley said she thought the mayor "was someone with a big chain around their neck opening fetes" and did not realise it held so much power.
"It shows my lack of knowledge!" she joked.
She says economic growth and jobs is really important to her, alongside health and care provision.
"Recently my mum has had to go into respite care and it costs so much money and there aren't enough staff to look after the people," she said.
Lewis Gollin, aged 25, runs Sculpt Studios barbers on Steep Hill.
He says he "will read up on it all" nearer polling day and will be looking for policies that will make people feel better off.
"We haven't lost clients but they are leaving it longer between appointments to keep costs down as people are worried and are trying to save a bit more," he said.
Kitchen assistant Sam Mather, aged 40, says he "doesn't know a great deal" about the mayor, believing "ignorance is sometimes bliss".
"Immigration is a big issue as I don't think we look after British people enough, not that anyone else is less important, but we seem to take in from all parts of the world and we're not stable enough ourselves."
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