On 2 May 2024, Tracy Brabin was re-elected as Mayor of West Yorkshire after a first term which began in 2021. With specific powers on transport, housing, regeneration, finance and policing, the Mayor works with the Mayoral Combined Authority, council leaders, business representatives and partners for the benefit of the region.
On 2 May 2024, Tracy Brabin was re-elected as Mayor of West Yorkshire after a first term which began in 2021. The Mayor holds powers on transport, housing, regeneration, and finance. The Mayor works with the Combined Authority, regional partners, council leaders and business representatives for the benefit of West Yorkshire and its residents.
The Mayor also holds the functions of the Police and Crime commissioner and is supported by an appointed Deputy Mayor for Policing, Alison Lowe OBE. The Mayor brings the region greater influence within Government at a national level, and alongside other metro Mayors, campaigns for greater devolution.
Read Tracy Brabin's Mayoral pledges for West Yorkshire
With the Mayor of West Yorkshire as its directly-elected chair, the West Yorkshire Combined Authority brings together the local authorities of Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees, Leeds and Wakefield, working in partnership with the City of York.
This way of working combines the insights and benefits of private sector knowledge and expertise with robust, transparent, public sector governance, accountability and oversight from the Combined Authority. This is important as the region takes on further devolved powers and funding from central Government. Together, we are working hard to make our region be recognised globally as a place with a strong, successful economy where everyone can build great businesses, careers and lives supported by a sustainable environment and world-class infrastructure.
It means we can put the long term needs of our communities and the people who live and work in West Yorkshire at the heart of everything we do, ensuing we can support inclusive growth and supporting the needs of our region's employers. We also play a central role in travel across West Yorkshire, operating the Metro network of almost 14,000 bus stops, travel centres and public transport information across the region, and working closely with West Yorkshire bus operators to improve services and the bus network. Metro supports free and subsidised travel, concessionary fares, transport to and from school for more than 40,000 West Yorkshire pupils, and manages the MCard travel card.
The last 12 months have seen tens of thousands of young people receive additional education, more dangerous drivers than ever before brought to justice and new support for victims.
Safer routes to schools and improvements to greenways and towpaths are amongst plans to boost active travel in West Yorkshire.
Housing leaders from across West Yorkshire have come together to accelerate plans for affordable housebuilding in the region.
New figures reveal West Yorkshire’s recent creative and cultural celebrations have contributed to record visitor numbers, as the region celebrates Yorkshire Day.
19 local businesses spearheading innovative solutions to some of the region’s most pressing challenges have been announced today (31 July) as finalists of a £1 million competition for businesses to build a brighter West Yorkshire that works for all.
More people will receive wraparound help and employment support when they visit their local GP, hospital, dentist or community hub, as part of a radical overhaul of how people are supported into work in West Yorkshire.
People are being encouraged to have their say on a new transport plan for West Yorkshire as Mayor Tracy Brabin sets out her vision for the Weaver Network.