South Yorkshire mayoral election set for 2024 after PCC power switch

South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard's term will be halved following the election on 4 May

A mayoral election will take place in South Yorkshire this year after the government confirmed police and crime commissioner responsibilities would be moved to the regional leader.

The mayor's newly-added powers mean it is considered a new role, so therefore needs to be voted on again.

It also means current Mayor of South Yorkshire Oliver Coppard's term would be halved.

Mr Coppard said it was the "right thing to do" for South Yorkshire's future.

According to Doncaster Council, the election for a "South Yorkshire Combined Authority Mayor with PCC functions" will likely take place on 2 May and the winner will be in power until 2028.

The government also said the newly-elected mayor would be "well placed" to align police and crime with other public services such as transport and regeneration.

It also confirmed the term of office for the current mayor of South Yorkshire will be brought forward and end in May 2024 rather than 2026.

Labour's Mr Coppard became mayor in 2022, succeeding Barnsley MP Dan Jarvis and said he was committed to making South Yorkshire "healthier, wealthier and happier".

Mr Coppard defeated Conservative candidate Clive Watkinson in the 2022 election.

He told the BBC: "I'm glad the Home Secretary has now taken the decision to lay the order to transfer the functions of the police and crime commissioner into the office of the mayor.

"If enacted it will give us the ability to better join up policies across policing, transport, health, and a range of other areas.

"This is another step on our journey to more devolution and having more control over our own future."

Analysis: James Vincent, BBC Yorkshire political editor

Did you hear that? Probably not - but that was the announcement of a mayoral election in South Yorkshire this year.

A short note from the government, bit of debate and a law nodded through - and here we go.

Since 2012 South Yorkshire has had a police commissioner, and since 2018 it's also had a mayor.

Now, like in Leeds and Manchester, the roles will be combined.

Because of the change in responsibilities there needs to be another vote.

Another election to sharpen your ballot pencils for in a year of big elections.