Strategic authority mayor
Directly elected position in England
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Through England
The first strategic authority mayoral post was the mayor of London, created as the executive of the Greater London Authority (GLA) in 2000 as part of a reform of the local government of Greater London. More strategic authority mayors were introduced following in the Cities and Local Government Devolution Act 2016.
Strategic authority mayors sit on the Mayoral Council for England, the National Economic Council, and Council of the Nations and Regions alongside the UK Prime Minister and First Ministers of devolved governments.
Naming
"Strategic authority mayor" is a term introduced in 2024, made statutory in 2026 and applied retrospectively to existing mayoralties. The mayors are sometimes known as "metro mayors", "regional mayors" or "devolved mayors". Reflecting that the first wave of mayors covered metropolitan areas, some cover larger regions, and their role in implementing devolution in England.
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History
Mayor of London
The first directly elected mayor in England was introduced in Greater London in 2000 as part of the statutory provisions of the Greater London Authority Act 1999. The position of the elected Mayor of London is a strategic regional one, and quite different from that of local authority mayors. The work of the mayor of London is scrutinised by the London Assembly, a unique arrangement in the English local government system. The mayor of London cannot be removed from office by a referendum following a petition, as is the case for directly elected mayors elsewhere in England.
The mayor of London should not be confused with the ancient position of Lord Mayor of London, elected annually by liverymen of the City of London.
Expansion
In 2014, it was announced that directly elected mayors would be created for combined authorities (CAs), subject to new primary legislation. In 2017, inaugural elections were held for mayors of Liverpool City Region, Greater Manchester, Tees Valley, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, West of England, and the West Midlands. These directly elected mayoralties were agreed as part of the devolution deals allowed by the Cities and Local Government Devolution Act 2016. That act inserted sections into the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 for the election of mayors of CAs.
A delayed election for the Sheffield City Region followed in May 2018. The North of Tyne Combined Authority and the North East Combined Authority (2014–2024) were merged into the new North East Mayoral Combined Authority, the first election for which took place in May 2024.
Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023
The Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 enabled the creation of combined county authorities (CCAs), which are similar to the existing CAs. The act enabled new powers to be devolved to CAs and CCAs. It also allowed strategic authority mayors to take a different title, including "elected leader", "governor",and "county commissioner". As of 2026, no mayors have taken a different title.
Powers
Strategic authority mayors have cover larger areas than directly elected local authority mayors and have responsibilities devolved from the UK government. They generally have powers over transport, skills, housing, and local infrastructure investment, and sometimes over spatial planning, policing, health and employment support.
UK Mayors Network
Combined (county) authority mayors and the Mayor of London meet informally on a monthly basis as the UK Mayors Network (M10 Group) allowing them to consult each other, coordinate their actions, and gain access to UK government ministers.
From 2022 to 2026, it was chaired by Tracy Brabin since May 2022 and previously by Dan Jarvis. Since 2026, it has been chaired by Claire Ward.
List of strategic authority mayors
As of June 2026, there are 14 mayors of strategic authorities in England.