The votes are in: Tracy Brabin is West Yorkshire's first mayor

The new role was created in 2020 as part of a devolution deal

Ballot Box
Author: Hannah NorburyPublished 9th May 2021

Tracy Brabin, from the Labour Party, is West Yorkshire's first ever Mayor.

The turnout for the first mayoral election was just over 36%.

The new role was created back in 2020, as part of a devolution deal, which was agreed by the leaders of the five West Yorkshire councils.

The metro mayor will work with the combined authorities to exercise powers at a regional level.

They'll take on four main responsibilities; transport, housing, regeneration and skills.

The Government has committed to providing an extra £1.8 billion in the next 30 years (£38 million a year), to help the elected mayor carry out their duties.

Transport: Roads, buses, rail and cycling and are responsible for a proposed Mass Transit System, which will connect the region.

Skills: Control over West Yorkshire's adult education budget.

Housing: They have powers over the number of homes in West Yorkshire, and an overall strategy for planning permission.

Regeneration: They have input on things like flood alleviation schemes and developing infrastructure.

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Policing: They take on the powers of the police and crime commissioner.