He did not deputise for the mayor a single time last year

Bath and North East Somerset Council leader Kevin Guy in front of the current temporary stands on the Recreation Ground(Image: Bath and North East Somerset Liberal Democrats)

Bristol Live readers have been responding to the coverage of the deputy mayor’s £19,000 salary, with numerous people questioning value for money and how the position functions in reality. Multiple comments centred on audits, documentation, and whether remuneration should reflect the actual time spent deputising.

The £19,300 salary for the West of England Combined Authority’s deputy mayor has come under fire after it was revealed they failed to deputise on a single occasion last year.

A Freedom of Information request revealed that Bath & North East Somerset Council Liberal Democrat leader Cllr Kevin Guy had minimal responsibilities in the position between May 2025 and May this year.

Democracy campaigner and journalist Andrew Lynch informed Weca’s audit committee that the authority ‘had no clue about what the deputy mayor was up to on Weca’s behalf’.

Labour metro mayor Helen Godwin and Cllr Guy responded by stating that the deputy mayor position was ‘important’ and ‘legally required’, though Ms Godwin’s predecessor Dan Norris chose not to appoint a deputy throughout his 2021-25 term.

They stated the special allowance of £19,300 for the position was determined by an independent remuneration panel.

Weca’s FOI response confirmed Cllr Guy did not stand in for the mayor during her absence at any statutory public meetings – including the Weca committee, West of England joint committee, or the overview and scrutiny committee.

One reader, Xercesblue12, comments: “It is certain Grant Thornton, WECAs’ external auditor, will have something to say about the value for money of this salary for essentially a non-role. The external auditor has not held back highly critical reports in the past on WECAs financial management and governance. The question is whether Tony Dyer and other future deputy mayors are similarly paid if they are not called on to deputise. As it appears as a ‘legally required’ post, the deputy mayor should be paid pro rata according to the times they deputise, and the authority should keep an accurate and up-to-date record of this.”

Kingswoodbiffo agrees: “Sounds like an independent financial assessment needs to be carried out!!”

While over on our Facebook page, Brian J writes: “The term money for old rope springs to mind.”

Gary L says: “Another reason to get rid of all these paid mayor jobs, let it be a voluntary job, not fair for council tax payers to have to foot the bill.”

Should the deputy mayor be paid for the deputy mayor role, even if never deputising? Comment HERE or below to have your say.