The mayor is a major figure in the political life of the region entrusted with unique powers and responsibilities.
The mayor is a member, and chair, of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority and acts as an ambassador for the region.
Transport
The mayor is responsible for preparing the Local Transport Plan (with agreement of the plan being subject to two thirds majority approval of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority).
The mayor is also responsible for the transport budget devolved from central government and (subject to future legislation) regulated bus services and smart ticketing.
Planning and housing
The mayor has powers relating to housing and planning within the region. This includes control of the Housing Investment Fund. The mayor also has the power to create a spatial development strategy for the whole of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.
The mayor's planning powers do not override those of local councils and the spatial development strategy cannot be adopted unless it has the unanimous approval of the members of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority.
Decision making
The mayor, along with council leaders from the 6 council areas, form the mayor's cabinet.
The mayor is able to make some decisions independently, however, some decisions also require consultation with and the approval of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority.
Some decisions are non-mayoral decisions and therefore made by the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority (although the mayor is involved as one of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority members).