ONE of Bristol's leading businessmen has claimed it is vital for the city to have an elected mayor if it is to have any hope of "being great once again".
Michael Bothamley was speaking at the annual get-together of the city's chamber of commerce – Business West.
Mr Bothamley, who is a senior partner at law firm Beachcroft, was giving his final speech as president at the organisation's annual dinner.
The chamber is one of the most influential business organisations in the city and Mr Bothamley has held the position for the last three years.
He was also part of the delegation which travelled to Downing Street this week to talk about the issue of elected mayors with David Cameron. The Prime Minister has made his support of the concept of an elected mayor clear and has also revealed that cities who have an elected mayor will have a direct link to central government.
Business West has been badly hit by Government cutbacks and has seen its budget shrink by two thirds over the last two years as a result of cuts in Government spending.
The organisation, which has its headquarters in Leigh Court in Abbots Leigh, lost more than 200 staff as a result of the Government's decision to axe the Business Link service which was run by Business West.
Mr Bothamley admitted that his time in charge had been tough but added that the organisation could still have a big say in the future of Bristol.
Business West has been one of the driving forces behind the creation of the Local Enterprise Partnership which has replaced the axed Regional Development Agency.
And he is no doubt that an elected mayor would be a major step forward for Bristol.
Mr Bothamley said: "For us the long term aim is to see a metro mayor covering the whole of the former territory of Avon County Council, or at least covering Bristol and South Gloucestershire.
"But after reflection we've decided that LEP relationships can survive Bristol getting an elected mayor; and while we'd prefer a metro mayor, that's not on offer now and it's unlikely to be on offer.
"I know that some local politicians feel that the very idea of an elected mayor is an attack on their track records; and they say central government is blackmailing them by telling them that new powers for the city will only be given if it votes in favour of an elected mayor.
"But Business West has decided to come out in support of an elected mayor. Our view is very simple, and it's based on concerns about vision, strategy and leadership.
"Bristol was once a great city. It has the potential to be a great city again. But great cities the world over, just like great businesses, are defined by good strategies, delivered consistently, by strong, accountable, visionary leaders.
"And we think that an elected city mayor is more likely to deliver that sort of strategy and that sort of leadership than the current system – which is plagued by inconsistency because of annual elections and constant compromise because of the need to defer to party politics ward by ward.
"There is no doubt that the Government, from the PM down, senses that the time is right for an historic shift of power away from the centre.
"They want to see more powers delegated to the core cities, and they want to see strong and accountable leadership in the core cities and from the core cities.
Mr Bothamley also tackled the controversial workplace parking levy. Business across the city are being consulted over the plan which would see every firm charged £1 per day for every parking space they provide for employees.
The money raised will be used to help to pay towards the Rapid Transit System.
Some organisations such as the Federation of Small Businesses are strongly opposed to the scheme claiming it will damage Bristol's economy. The organisation has called on its members to boycott the process altogether.
Mr Bothamley gave qualified support to the scheme but said the burden of funding new schemes should not fall on businesses alone - and criticised the city council's handling of the plan so far.
He said: "I take the view that business has a responsibility to help achieve a step change in public transport provision in this city and has to make a financial contribution towards that being achieved.
"But I don't think that business should be the sole contributor.
"I do think that business and local government need to talk to each other to find the right mix of funding solutions to bridge the funding gap - and I don't think it was helpful for the city council to launch a workplace parking survey in such terms that the only possible inference to be drawn was that its mind was made up and a workplace parking levy was going to be the only funding tool employed."
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