It has been estimated that the cost of holding the referendum to decide whether Newcastle should have an elected Mayor or not will be £84,000. This is in a year when Government and Council budgets are already under pressure.
The Journal revealed in February that if all 12 cities holding votes this May opt for a Mayor the costs could rise to over £15m in ten years.
At a time when households, Councils and Central Government are facing severe cost pressures it seems unwise to be arguing for something that will see costs spiral upwards.
While the referendum will be going ahead in May regardless the Newcastle Mayor No Campaign urge people to vote No and stop the costs mounting at the earliest opportunity.