How democratically elected mayors can achieve mission-oriented policies in turbulent times

Sarah Ayres; Jack Newman; Mark Sandford; Andrew Barnfield; Geoff Bates

doi:10.1080/00343404.2025.2472014

How democratically elected mayors can achieve mission-oriented policies in turbulent times

Sarah Ayres, Jack Newman, Mark Sandford, Andrew Barnfield, Geoff Bates

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

The aim of this article is to explore how democratically elected mayors can achieve mission-oriented policies in turbulent times. Drawing on 132 interviews with decision makers in England, this article uses the case of healthy urban development to explore the role of elected mayors in mission delivery. Findings show that mayors can be figureheads for a place, work directly towards national missions, implement cross-cutting programmes, convene partnerships and lead local innovations with new evidence and data. However, more central government support is needed with investment in capacity, a broader range of powers and greater freedom from central targets and siloes.

Original language	English
Journal	Regional Studies
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1080/00343404.2025.2472014
Publication status	Acceptance date - 14 Feb 2025

Funding

This research emanates from the project ‘Tackling the Root Causes Upstream of Unhealthy Urban Development’ (TRUUD), 2019–2024, £6.7 million. This work is supported by the UK Prevention Research Partnership [grant number MR/S037586/1], which is funded by the British Heart Foundation, Cancer Research UK, Chief Scientist Office of the Scottish Government Health and Social Care Directorates, Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, Economic and Social Research Council, Health and Social Care Research and Development Division (Welsh Government), Medical Research Council, National Institute for Health Research, Natural Environment Research Council, Public Health Agency (Northern Ireland), The Health Foundation, and Wellcome.

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10.1080/00343404.2025.2472014Licence: CC BY

Tackling the Root Causes of Unhealthy Planning, Economics and Decision-making: An Urban Systems Approach
Hunt, A. (PI), Fichera, E. (CoI), Pearce, N. (CoI) & Bates, G. (Researcher)
MRC
1/10/19 → 30/09/25
Project: Research council

Cite this

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abstract = "The aim of this article is to explore how democratically elected mayors can achieve mission-oriented policies in turbulent times. Drawing on 132 interviews with decision makers in England, this article uses the case of healthy urban development to explore the role of elected mayors in mission delivery. Findings show that mayors can be figureheads for a place, work directly towards national missions, implement cross-cutting programmes, convene partnerships and lead local innovations with new evidence and data. However, more central government support is needed with investment in capacity, a broader range of powers and greater freedom from central targets and siloes.",

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AB - The aim of this article is to explore how democratically elected mayors can achieve mission-oriented policies in turbulent times. Drawing on 132 interviews with decision makers in England, this article uses the case of healthy urban development to explore the role of elected mayors in mission delivery. Findings show that mayors can be figureheads for a place, work directly towards national missions, implement cross-cutting programmes, convene partnerships and lead local innovations with new evidence and data. However, more central government support is needed with investment in capacity, a broader range of powers and greater freedom from central targets and siloes.

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How democratically elected mayors can achieve mission-oriented policies in turbulent times

Abstract

Funding

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Tackling the Root Causes of Unhealthy Planning, Economics and Decision-making: An Urban Systems Approach

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