Andy Burnham and Steve Rotheram need to be handed more extensive powers to bring about substantial change in their regions, according to a new study.
A pair of academics from the University of Huddersfield have published the first comprehensive study of the impact of the metro mayors of Greater Manchester and the Liverpool City Region since they took office in 2017.
However in Devolution in Greater Manchester and Liverpool City Region - The first mayoral term, the academics also also conclude that while the powers of combined authorities were known to be limited when the original devolution deals were negotiated, the decision to proceed to a metro mayor model was the correct one.
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"The question that we started with was is this going to be a permanent change in English governance, a real kind of constitutional revolution or is it going to be a flash in the pan?", said Professor Blakeley.
"We conclude in the book that whilst the powers that the metro mayors have are limited and they have insufficient resources, it was absolutely the right thing to do to seize that opportunity within the context of an extremely centralised political system.
"There were people in Greater Manchester and Liverpool City Region who said, 'don't take this opportunity, it's a sham, it's the government devolving austerity'.
"Our conclusion is that whilst we recognise the limitations, it was absolutely the right thing to do to seize that opportunity because it was what was on the table at the time from central government. There wasn't going to be anything else."
One of the book’s key themes is how both mayors have evolved the power of their office, specifically around transport in respective cities.
"It's interesting that transport is the only really hard power the mayors have," added Professor Evans.
"Aside from some power over the adult education budget, transport is the main area where Burnham has significant hard power. He also said it was the most frustrating aspect of his time in office. Progress has been difficult for all sorts of reasons despite him spending most of his time and effort on this area."
In the report the authors accept that Mr Burnham and Mr Rotheram could be seen to have not had the desired impact over the course of their six years in office, but they feel that the restrictions both mayors face are the reason.
"One point made to us at the book launch was that we could have been firmer in making an overall judgement about how successful Rotherham and Burnham have been," added Professor Evans.
"In reality, progress has been variable across different policy fields and there has been obstruction from Westminster and Whitehall."
