TUCKED away in the Evening Press classified columns last week was a public notice from City of York Council's chief executive David Atkinson. It announced that if five per cent of the population, 7,250 people, signed a petition calling for York to elect a mayor, it would be enough to force a referendum on the issue.

This notice is a routine requirement of the Local Government Act 2000. The council does not expect any response.

What a difference from two years ago. Then, Tony Blair's master plan was for every city to elect its own mayor. The Prime Ministerial enthusiasm was only subdued by Ken Livingstone's triumph as London mayor.

But just because the Prime Minister has gone off the idea it does not mean it has no merit.

On this page, two former Lord Mayors go head-to-head over whether York should be led by an elected mayor. Both agree on one thing: the cabinet system adopted by City of York Council is no improvement on the committee system that preceded it.

Many local people feel the new procedures limit their chances to overturn decisions with which they disagree.

An elected mayor would have to work within that cabinet system. But he or she would enjoy a large personal mandate, making them highly visible and more accountable.

The mayor could be independent of party politics, which would certainly cut through some of the backroom machinations. They would stand - and possibly fall - on a clear political platform. Meanwhile, the Lord Mayor would retain the role of city figurehead.

At a time when many are disillusioned with the incessant round of council tax rises and service cuts, an elected mayor might prove to be the first step to bringing real power back to the Guildhall. It would certainly revitalise the jaded public palate for local democracy.

The success of the scheme would depend on the calibre of the candidates.

But it is an experiment worth pursuing. York should consider staging a referendum on electing a mayor.

Then the people could decide.

Updated: 10:27 Thursday, March 07, 2002