New Labour West of England Mayor hails 'new chapter for the West' after 'challenging' legacy
Helen Godwin beat Reform UK by almost 6,000 votes to hold onto the West of England Combined Authority, which was until recently under the control of now suspended Labour politician, Dan Norris.
Ms Godwin promised staff that "her door is always open" and promised to be "visible and accessible".
It's a move to distance herself from the previous mayor, who was accused in an independent report of not being present in the combined authority offices.
Claims of being an 'absentee landlord mayor' - made by a local councillor - came alongside reports of political division with council leaders, which was seen to have an impact on effective decision-making.
Ms Godwin is said to have "acknowledged recent challenging history" in the meeting on Wednesday, 14 May, and said she's had a "positive start with local council leaders in Bath & North East Somerset, Bristol, and South Gloucestershire."
She talked about the need to get young people into tens of thousands of new jobs that hope to be coming to the WECA region as a result of investment at Bristol Temple Quarter and Brabazon.
Perhaps in a message to the region's Green voters, the new Mayor also spoke of the need to deliver economic growth while preserving and restoring nature.
"At the start of a new chapter for the West of England, I was delighted to meet with staff at the Mayoral Combined Authority this afternoon," Ms Godwin said.
"Just over a week after taking office, and having met with government ministers, investors, and First Bus, I wanted to hear from officers and continue to hit the ground running. My door will always be open.
"Working with local councils, it's time to show people across the West of England what we can really do – so that people in Bath & North East Somerset, Bristol, and South Gloucestershire, can see, feel, and trust the difference that we'll make together.'
During the campaign period for May's local elections, Dan Norris was arrested on suspicion of child sex offences and rape.
Norris, who is also the MP for North East Somerset and Hanham, was quickly suspended by the Labour Party and barred from the West of England Combined Authority offices.
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