From big ticket election promises to challenging central government over covid, metro mayors have changed the political landscape in England over the last decade.

The government’s drive to devolve more powers to regions over the last 10 years has led to huge political decisions being taken locally.

Metro mayors are tasked with boosting economic development in their local areas through strategic decisions and planning.

Ben Houchen in Tees Valley sought to buy an airport and Tracy Brabin followed her Labour counterpart in Greater Manchester by announcing plans to bring buses under public ownership in West Yorkshire.

But in his first five months, how does David Skaith, mayor of York and North Yorkshire, compare to other areas?

The Stray Ferret has analysed the performance of other comparable metro mayors to look at what they did in their first five months compared to Mr Skaith.

Ben Houchen, Tees Valley

It’s fair to say that Ben Houchen victory in the Tees Valley in 2017 shocked many political pundits.

At the time, Theresa May was seeking to increase her majority for the Tories in the House of Commons — but faced a backlash at the local elections.

Mr Houchen’s victory came as a shock due to the political makeup of the area. Much of the local councils, such as Middlesbrough, Cleveland and Hartlepool, were all Labour-run.

The former Stockton-On-Tees councillor came into the mayor role promising change and vast investment.

Mr Houchen and the Tees Valley Combined Authority’s devolution deal is similar to York and North Yorkshire.

It includes powers over buses, skills and the ability to create mayoral development corporations.

In his fist few months, Mr Houchen sought to open negotiations over purchasing the then Durham Tees Valley Airport — a promise that he put at the centre of his election bid.

He also created the South Tees Development Corporation, which aimed to regenerate the former Redcar Steelworks site.

Tracy Brabin, West Yorkshire

Elected in 2021, much of Tracy Brabin’s first six months in post was spent battling the effects of the covid pandemic on West Yorkshire.

Much of Ms Brabin’s manifesto pledges were geared towards making people’s lives “a little bit easier”.

During the first six months of her tenure, she laid the groundwork for bringing buses in West Yorkshire under public control.

She announced her intention while introducing lower fares for under 19s — two years later a consultation on taking control of bus services was published.

Ms Brabin also committed £3.2 million to improving the region’s affordable housing stock.

But much of her work in the first six months centred around tackling the affects of the covid pandemic, particularly on businesses.

She drew up an economic recovery plan, which included a £6 million fund for start-ups and aimed to encourage people to set up their own businesses as the region emerged from various covid lockdowns.

Ms Brabin also extended a covid mask mandate in bus stations controlled by West Yorkshire Combined Authority.

David Skaith, York and North Yorkshire

While Mr Skaith’s contemporaries have sought to go for bold political pledges and grand announcements, such as buying an airport, the North Yorkshire mayor’s has to date not announced any such project.

Much of the Labour mayors announcement have seen him spread money around various different sectors, such as £10 million for a high street fund, £5 million for net zero projects and £2.5 million for skills.

The Stray Ferret published an analysis of the mayor and combined authority's funding priorities here.

It raises the question as to why no big, strategic project has been announced. 

Part of the reason may be down to the fact that Mr Skaith was elected shortly before a general election was announced — which left him unable to make political decisions for six weeks.

It also raises the question of his lack of political experience. His contemporaries had either been elected an MP or worked in politics at a local level when they took office. Mr Skaith's background is in local business.

Those with a background in politics understand the impact of making grand statements, such as bringing buses into public ownership. 

Also, compared to his counterparts in West Yorkshire and Tees Valley, the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority is still awaiting confirmation of a transport settlement from government, which is believed to be in the region of £380 million.

This may partly explain why the mayor has refrained from announcing much in the way of big transport projects.

For Mr Skaith, the role is still in its infancy. As he noted in his latest monthly column:

Are there bigger projects in the pipeline? 

Mr Skaith has addressed some of the powers afforded to him as mayor in previous interviews.

Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service in August, the mayor said bus franchising and an enhanced partnership for services were areas he was looking at for his transport plans.

He said:

While Mr Skaith has yet to add a major project to his term as mayor, he has the resources at his disposal to enact such a scheme.

Whether it be a radical transport plan or regenerating an area of North Yorkshire in desperate need of investment, he has the power to make such a strategic decision.