London mayor Ken Livingstone has made transport a priority Petition backs elected mayor

Campaigners for an elected mayor in the county believe they have won the first stage in the battle to hold a referendum by gaining more than the 10% of voters' signatures needed to trigger a vote.

If any referendum in the Spring decides that Ceredigion should elect a mayor, then Wales will be well on its way to having its first-ever US-style elected civic leader.

In Ceredigion, which currently operates under leader Dai Lloyd Evans and a seven-strong cabinet, the mayor would assume powers above those of the current leader and would have the power to hire and fire his or her own cabinet.

The current cabinet is responsible for running economic development, tourism, education, environmental services, housing, finance, highways and social services.

ROLE OF ELECTED MAYOR Act as council's spokesperson Provide political leadership Appoint and dismiss cabinet and deputy mayor Chair cabinet meetings Represent the council on outside bodies

These areas would fall under the power of the directly-elected mayor and his or her own cabinet, which will be made up of between two and nine people, appointed by the mayor.

The mayor would serve a four-year term before standing for re-election and would be by far the most influential person in the council.

In a paper outlining the role of a future mayor, Ceredigion council said: "The directly elected mayor would be elected every four years by the electorate of Ceredigion.

"Those people standing for Mayor would have their own manifesto - outlining their views on the major issues affecting Ceredigion and their priorities for action.

"Once elected, that person will have a direct mandate from the people of Ceredigion which could be different from that of the political groups making up the council, and would be the Council's principal public spokesperson."

'Cabinet control'

The paper added that the mayor could not be removed by councillors - only by the voters of Ceredigion.

It said: "The mayor would have control over the membership of the cabinet.

"The mayor would not be able to be voted out of office by his fellow members and can only lose office by losing the next election, by standing down or by being dismissed under the rules governing councillors standards and conduct."

The possible future Ceredigion mayor would join a colourful cast of figures who have entered town halls across England since the Local Government Act 2000, gave electors the powers hold referendums on directly-elected mayors.

Labour's plans were intended to revitalise local democracy by allowing electors to identify with an individual responsible for providing public services.

In London, Ken Livingston defeated Labour's own Frank Dobson to become mayor, while in Hartlepool, Stuart Drummond, - aka Hartlepool United FC mascot H'Angus the Monkey - became mayor on a ticket of free bananas for schoolchildren.

Congestion charge

And in Middlesbrough, tough-talking former police chief Ray Mallon, known as Robocop, won the mayoral race after promising to cut crime.

In London, Ken Livingstone has wide-ranging powers including partial control of a �3.3bn budget for police, fire, transport and economic development.

Mr Livingstone is also responsible for producing an integrated transport strategy for London and this year introduced a congestion charge on city-centre traffic.

He can also plan major cultural projects in London.

The powers of Hartlepool mayor Mr Drummond are less extensive, but after being elected, the former football mascot was able to name his own cabinet.

He also chairs cabinet meetings and he also holds special responsibility for youth, crime and sport issues.