HL Deb 23 July 2001 vol 626 c167WA
Lord Greaves

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether it is appropriate and democratic that Watford is to have an elected executive mayor on the basis of a referendum in which only 12 per cent of the electorate voted in favour of such a post. [HL385]

Lord Falconer of Thoroton

As provided by Parliament, the electors of Watford have chosen to have a directly elected mayor.

Lord Greaves

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the election for an executive mayor in Watford has been postponed to next May; and if so, for what reasons. [HL386]

Lord Falconer of Thoroton

We have laid the Local Authorities (Elected Mayors) (Elections, Terms of Office and Casual Vacancies) (England) Regulations 2001. These regulations provide that a first mayoral election must take place on the first Thursday in May; or the third Thursday in October whichever occurs first after the end of the period of three months beginning with either the date on which a referendum is held; or the date that regulations made under section 44 of the Local Government Act 2000 (establishing the rules for the conduct of mayoral elections) come into force; whichever is the later.

We intend, subject to parliamentary approval of a draft, to make the regulations under Section 44 of the Local Government Act 2000 in the autumn. Accordingly, it is expected that Watford will hold its first mayoral election next May.