AN MP has suggested a single mayor is elected to cover the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole areas.

Tobias Ellwood, MP for Bournemouth East, said having a mayor of BCP could help the conurbation to ‘make its mark nationally’.

Mr Ellwood told the Daily Echo: “Look across Britain and we see the decision to introduce elected mayors has given communities extra clout.

“Not just the big cities such as London, Manchester and Birmingham, but other conurbations including Liverpool, West Yorkshire, Tees Valley and Cambridgeshire.”

Suggesting the benefits of having a single voice for BCP, Mr Ellwood said: “An elected mayor can provide clear, accountable leadership, offering a single figurehead to represent the council's decisions and policies.

"It can lead to more streamlined and efficient administration, reducing bureaucracy. Decision-making would improve. A mayor can make decisions more swiftly and effectively than the often slower, committee-based council system.

“It would introduce direct accountability: Mayors are elected by the public, making them more accountable to residents than council-appointed leaders.

“And most importantly it ensures greater visibility. An elected mayor typically has a higher public profile, which can help in championing the area's interests both locally and nationally.”

At present, councillor Vivienne Charrett is the Mayor of Christchurch, councillor Jo Clements is the Mayor of Christchurch and councillor Anne Filer is the Mayor of Bournemouth.

Mr Ellwood said: “I am sure there is support to retain our three local civic mayors who continue to carry out ceremonial duties in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole respectively.

“But this does not prevent the authority from introducing a unifying figure that’s elected to lead the wider authority and offer the leadership and presence that is currently absent from the council.”

Mr Ellwood now wants to hear from residents to see if the idea of a BCP Mayor is supported.

He added: “Ultimately it should be for the people of BCP to decide who democracy is advanced in our community.

“The process of electing a mayor can increase public interest and engagement in local politics and would likely attract bigger personalities from our community to step forward.”