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

This article explores how democratically elected mayors can achieve mission-oriented policies in turbulent times. Drawing on 132 interviews with decision-makers in England, it 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
Article number	2472014
Journal	Regional Studies
Volume	59
Issue number	1
Early online date	28 Mar 2025
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1080/00343404.2025.2472014
Publication status	Published - 28 Mar 2025

Funding

This research emanates from the project \u2018Tackling the Root Causes Upstream of Unhealthy Urban Development\u2019 (TRUUD), 2019\u20132024, \u00A36.7 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.

Funders	Funder number
Natural Environment Research Council
Economic and Social Research Council
Medical Research Council
National Institute for Health and Care Research
Wellcome
Public Health Agency
Cancer Research UK
British Heart Foundation
Northern Ireland
Health Foundation
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
Health and Social Care Research and Development Division

Keywords

complexity
democratically elected mayors
evidence
health
mission-oriented policy
place-based leadership
democratically elected mayors

ASJC Scopus subject areas

General Environmental Science
General Social Sciences

Access to Document

10.1080/00343404.2025.2472014Licence: CC BY

Cite this

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

Abstract

Funding

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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

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

Abstract

Funding

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Access to Document

Other files and links

Fingerprint

Projects

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

Cite this