Birmingham Chamber of Commerce is backing the call for an elected mayor for the city with a huge promotional campaign.
Katie Teasdale, head of policy at Birmingham Chamber of Commerce Group said: “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to change Birmingham for the better. It must not be lost.
“Our elected council, which overseas Chamber business, gave their backing by an overwhelming majority. Birmingham Chamber of Commerce was founded almost 200 years ago to create the best environment for business in our city. This mission has not changed and it is our view that an elected mayor of Birmingham will create the step-change to deliver jobs and growth in the city.
“There will be a powershift on issues like transport, capital expenditure, skills and apprentices and homes and communities.
“We have identified the democratic mandate, profile, continuity, co-ordination and influence that a Mayor will possess as vital for Birmingham’s future prosperity. We are writing to all our members asking them to write to their employees, colleagues and contacts in support of the campaign. If every member does this, we will reach 250,000 people in Birmingham.
“We want to ensure that every business is aware of the huge benefits of having an elected mayor for the city so that they have the knowledge to know how to vote on 3 May 2012 when the referendum will be held.”
The Chamber’s campaign will culminate at the organisation’s annual dinner on 25 April. If the answer is yes, an election will take place on November 15 – the same day as an election for a city police commissioner.
