FAQs

Mayor's Question Time events are regular sessions where the Mayor, supported by the Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, key leaders and Combined Authority Officers, responds to questions posed by members of the public on local issues/interests that fall under the Mayor’s control. These are evening events, held in-person and chaired by an independent host. These events provide a platform for dialogue, transparency, and accountability in local government.  

Before the event, either online at home or whilst you are waiting to go through the search point, please familiarise yourself with the Admissions Policy for the Mayor’s Question Time event. 

All visitors wishing to enter the event, will be subject to a photo ID check and security search of any bags or carried items. The search aims to ensure that no prohibited items are either deliberately or accidentally brought into the building.

The hosts of these events will be from a variety of backgrounds depending on the nature of the event. However, for the most part they will be journalists, academics, and/or respected community/business leaders. They are asked to remain neutral during events and to ensure that questions are answered with clarity. 

The host of the first three events is confirmed to be the award-winning TV presenter and Senior Broadcast Journalist, Lotty Leeming. 

We're kindly asking that people don't attend more than two question time events in a six month period. This is just so that different people have an opportunity to come along and ask questions. 

All Question Time events will be recorded and posted online next day. We will publish the link on this page, our Combined Authority website  and on our social media platforms. 

All our events will be recorded and the recording will be made available on this page, Website and social media platforms.

You can still ask questions even if you cannot attend the events. 

We want the Mayor's Question Time events to be accessible for all, and for everyone to feel welcome and included at our events. There is no typical Mayor's Question Time attendee and we recognise that everyone attending our events has different needs. 

All venues are checked for accessibility beforehand. When registering for the event you are given the chance to tell us any access requirements which may effect your experience at question time. Will will use the information provided and try and accommodate around your needs.

Please let us know if you have any special requirements such as childcare needs, the need for a private room during the day, hearing loops, British Sign Language interpreter, wheelchair access, high backed chair etc. 

We will also be happy to provide information about the event to allow you to plan your day for maximum comfort, including but not limited to: closest accessible transport stations; available breakout/quiet spaces; seating arrangements; any refreshments provided or where refreshments may be available nearby; content e.g. flashing images or high volumes; specific timings and when an event is expected to finish. 

If you would like to discuss your visit to one of our Mayor's Question Time events or to speak to a member of staff about your accessibility needs, please contact us by:

Email: yourvoice@westyorks-ca.gov.uk

Telephone: 0113 245 7676 (MetroLine)

You don't need to have it printed, but an electronic copy of the ticket (via your smart phone / tablet) would be great, so that we can tick you off our attendee list and also identify if you are someone who has raised a question in advance.

Tracy Brabin was elected the first Mayor of West Yorkshire on 9 May 2021. Tracy was previously elected as the Member of Parliament for Batley and Spen in 2016, representing her hometown and the area where many of her family members still live. 

Representing the interests of 2.3 million people across the region, the Mayor has responsibility for transport, housing and planning, and finance powers, as well as the functions of the Police and Crime Commissioner, supported by an appointed Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, Alison Lowe OBE. 

As the Chair of the Combined Authority, the Mayor works with partners across the region and beyond to deliver regeneration and economic development, and co-ordinate the long-term programmes that will transform West Yorkshire.

The Mayor also brings the region greater influence within Government at national level, including on economic recovery, the power to shape Government policy and access further funding.

The Mayor of West Yorkshire has made 10 pledges to West Yorkshire:

• Create 1,000 well paid, skilled jobs for young people.
• Prioritise skills and training to ensure everyone in West Yorkshire has the skills they need to secure work.
• Support local businesses and be a champion for our regional economy.
• Lead a Creative New Deal to ensure our creative industries are part of the broader recovery strategy.  
• Appoint an Inclusivity Champion to work to ensure that the region’s recovery benefits us all. 
• Recruit 750 more frontline police officers and staff to fight crime.
• Put keeping women and girls safe at the heart of my policing plan.
• Bring buses back under public control, introduce simpler fares, contactless ticketing and greener buses.
• Build 5000 sustainable homes including council houses and affordable homes
• Tackle the climate emergency and protect our environment.

The first Mayor of West Yorkshire will serve a 3-year term that will bring our mayor in line with all the others nationally who will have an election in 2024.
At the end of this period, they may choose to stand in for re-election or resign the position to new candidates. 
Future Mayors of West Yorkshire will then serve a 4 year term.

A Combined Authority Mayor is sometimes called a Metro Mayor, however both terms refer to an elected leader of a combined authority. 

The Mayor of West Yorkshire works with the Mayoral Combined Authority, council leaders, business representatives and partners to prioritise issues that matter to people in the region. Any matter that comes before the Combined Authority will be decided by a simple majority of the members present in voting. The Mayor and the Mayoral Combined Authority are held to account by an Overview and Scrutiny Committee. 

The Mayor has a demanding and wide-ranging role representing a population of 2.3 million residents of West Yorkshire. The Mayor supports the objectives of the Combined Authority to deliver regeneration and economic development, and co-ordination of long-term transformational programmes, and budget responsibility.

The Mayor is responsible for specific functions of the Combined Authority that are ‘Mayoral Functions’ and functions of the Police and Crime Commissioner. The Mayoral Functions are: transport-related functions, housing and planning functions, and finance powers.

The election of the Mayor has changed the way police and crime matters are overseen in West Yorkshire, with the Mayor taking on the functions of the Police and Crime Commissioner. The Mayor may also appoint a Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime to support with this work.  

Local authority leaders and councillors are still responsible for the delivery of day-to-day public services within their constituency while the Mayor works alongside local authority leaders and councillors to create strategies and policies that benefit the people of West Yorkshire at a regional level. No functions or funding have been taken away from local authorities or their leaders.

Existing local authority mayors work with the Mayor of West Yorkshire in the same way that local councillors do. Local authority leaders and councillors are still responsible for the delivery of day-to-day public services within their constituency while the Mayor works alongside local authority leaders to prioritise issues that matter to people at a regional level

The Combined Authority was formed in April 2014 to be the driving force for economic growth across Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees, Leeds, and Wakefield. 

In 2021 Tracy Brabin was elected Mayor of West Yorkshire. As the Chair of the Combined Authority the Mayor works with partners across the region and beyond to deliver regeneration and economic development, and co-ordinate long-term programmes that will transform West Yorkshire. The Combined Authority also develops local transport throughout West Yorkshire under the well-known brand Metro. To find out more visit: www.westyorks-ca.gov.uk(External link).

A Mayoral Combined Authority is led by an elected Combined Authority Mayor. They work in conjunction with leaders from each constituent council across their region. Together they collectively make decisions about policy and spending in areas including economic support, housing, transport, education and skills at regional level.