A NEW ‘assumption’ in favour of devolving powers to elected mayors should be established to give them the resources they need to make a difference. That’s one of the proposals in a new report published by the region’s think tank organisation Policy Yorkshire, which examines ways of strengthening the county’s voice in Westminster. The report adds that mayors should have the authority to raise and spend the money that’s required in the policy areas they’re responsible for – rather than relying on Whitehall. Publication of the document follows a ‘webinar’ staged by Policy Yorkshire last year, at which speakers included the former Government Communities Secretary – and one-time Worth Valley councillor – Lord Eric Pickles.