PEOPLE in Southampton could soon be voting for the city’s first directly-elected mayor.

The city council wants residents’ views on the new position, and whether the number of councillors should be reduced from 48 to 32.

And with elections currently taking place three of every four years, that could change to one vote every four years.

An elected mayor would have significantly different roles and responsibilities to the current role of mayor, which is largely a ceremonial post.

The new mayor would be the head of the council’s decision making team, and if the change were to take place a city-wide referendum would have to be held to give all voters in Southampton the chance to choose if they want this to happen.

Mark Heath, Southampton City Council’s Director of Corporate Services said: "The council wants to find out what the public thinks about the principals of the council changing to a four-year electoral cycle, reducing the number of councillors and having a directly elected mayor.

“Changes in these areas would affect anyone living or working in the city, so we hope that people will use their democratic rights to have their say and help us to get these decisions right for our city.”

For further information about the consultation please visit southampton.gov.uk.

The closing date for consultation is November 6.