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In these times of austerity, but also seeking efficiency, I would like to see the cost of government reduced. I am against duplicating roles and increasing “gravy train” positions. Thus, I was not in favour of new posts such as Mayor or Police and Crime Commissioners, etc.

Despite the fact that the Liverpool electorate did not get a vote regarding whether we wished to have a Mayor, will he allow us a vote on whether we wish the post to continue? If not, why not?

BJ, Liverpool 9

The Mayor says : “It’s not duplication. The Mayor has replaced the leader of the council. It’s a different role, with more democracy attached to it. The council made its decision under the Local Government Act and was entitled to do so. There were people against an elected Mayor who stood and were resoundingly beaten. I’d have thought that sent a clear signal about this issue.”

I read in the ECHO (July 1) about the scandal of children in schools going hungry and that there are 2.4m children living in absolute poverty.

This on the day of reports that MPs are getting a £10,000 pay rise. If local MPs were to donate this pay rise they can’t refuse to the council’s school meals budget, how many starving children would get fed each day?

Graham Manley, Old Swan

The Mayor says:“Five Liverpool MPs’ pay rises = £50,000. Average cost of free school meal = £1.80. Therefore, total meals MPs’ pay rise could buy = 27,778. Total number of children in school = 62,119. Total number receiving free school meals = 18,471.

“Therefore, the pay rise wouldn’t pay for even two full days’ worth of free school meals to those who already claim it in Liverpool, let alone any extra children on top of that. The reality is the vast majority of MPs, certainly in Merseyside, do a fantastic job, work really hard and do long hours away from home.”

As Everton have said they are looking for a new ground in the Anfield/ Walton area and Liverpool have now said they are going to extend Anfield, why not give Everton Stanley Park?

If it was good enough for LFC, then I’m sure EFC would go for it. Good idea?

Brian Campbell, Liverpool 4

The Mayor says:“Nothing is impossible if the money is there and that applies to Liverpool, Everton, a shared stadium or any issue – like the Football Quarter. Regarding Stanley Park and EFC, if EFC show me the colour of their money and their investment, then everything is on the table.”

As a fellow shipping enthusiast, will we ever see P&O ships at the Pier Head? Also, do you think we will be able to join and leave various worldwide cruises in the foreseeable future from the Pier Head as I am getting on a bit?

Roy Laycock, Burscough

The Mayor says:“This is something we will achieve. We’ve already had two P&O ships here recently and my ambition is to have more than 100,000 visitors coming to our city through cruises. And we’ve got some ambitious plans that will hopefully be revealed shortly.”

Are we getting a marathon in 2014?

Jim Price, Orrell Park

The Mayor says:“Yes. We’ve got a preferred partner and I will announce the date shortly.”

Joe, I’m a supporter of yours and, while this is a personal question, I feel it relevant. I recall you last year talking about the concerns you and your family had for your health after a heart scare you went through (days after he was elected, the Mayor was admitted to hospital and his heart was put back into rhythm – Tony Blair underwent a similar procedure).

Seeing the way you operate and the scraps you get into – not just with Rex Makin – I’m sure there will be many who will be concerned. How is your health today and do you think you should change your full-blooded approach?

J Carter, Liverpool 17

The Mayor says:“The job is full-on. I work an average 60 hours a week and most weeks it’s 70. I’m passionate about this city. This is a stressful job . . . but I’m fine. I’m still under treatment with the marvellous team at the Royal Liverpool hospital and I’m managing that. It can happen to 20-year-olds, 56-year-olds and people who are thin, fat or good-looking – like myself!

“I will constantly challenge people who misinform and make mischief with gossip. If ECHO columnists Rex Makin or Joe Riley want to spend a week at the city council to see how hard we work, then they are both welcome.”

Why don’t you get up off your knees and start fighting these cuts instead of implementing them? We now have a situation where the Government say “cut” and you say “How much?” and follow it through. You have people being threatened with eviction from houses they have lived in for 30 years or more because of the spiteful bedroom tax, and you are part of that – and you go out and borrow £200m for fixing pot holes, yet you slag off the Labour Party in the ’80s for going out and borrowing money to keep people in work.

You’re a disgrace to the Labour movement. Obviously at some time in the future there will be a knighthood coming your way for services rendered to this vicious and evil government. I hope you sleep well at night.

Roy Dixon, via email

The Mayor says: “Clearly this is a guy who wants me to set an illegal budget. The reality is the period of Militant rule cost this city hundreds of millions of pounds of investments and thousands of jobs. Even Derek Hatton says what we are doing now is right because times have changed. And, no, I don’t sleep well at night because I’m often worried about how we are going to be doing things in the coming weeks.”

Can you name just two things that you have been able to achieve for Liverpool as Mayor that you could not have done as council leader?

P Morrison, Liverpool 12

The Mayor says: “We wouldn’t be represented at the World Mayors’ Forum. We’ve got mayoral development zones and a single investment pot for building schools and houses wouldn’t have come without the City Deal negotiated on the mayoral model. When I went to Brussels, I had meetings with three commissioners in one afternoon – Europe and the rest of the world recognise mayors. Our governance model was not modern and needed repairing.”

Why did the council make the decision to refuse our nomination to give Brian Epstein, posthumously, the Freedom of the City?

We suggest that you now urge Liverpool city council to reconsider and reverse this negative and wrong decision as soon as possible.

John James Chambers, Liverpool 11, Liverpool Beatles Appreciation Society International

The Mayor says: “I don’t think we have ever awarded a posthumous Freedom of the City and it’s not something we would do. If we do it for Brian Epstein, we would have to do it for many others. I did choose to rename the Neptune Theatre the Epstein Theatre and we clearly recognise his contribution.”

Is there anything you can do, personally, about a modern-day menace – cyclists on pavements?

A concerned pedestrian, Liverpool city centre

The Mayor says: “We are looking at improving cyclist routes . . . but he is absolutely right and I would expect police officers to challenge those cyclists who are a danger to pedestrians.”

I know there have been lots of cuts in the council but I would like to know why the funding has been cut for LACES (Liverpool City Council Looked After Children’s Education Service). These looked after children need this service, and so do other children who are in school with them. I think that it is an essential service to all, especially the teachers as they cannot give all their attention to one child when there are up to 30 children in a class . . . I think this is a matter that needs looking at again and re-assessing.

Jane Dodd, via email

The Mayor says: “The team has seen some changes and efficiencies made but the quality of the service remains the same. Headteachers continue to give positive feedback.”

The Echo handed the Mayor three similar sets of detailed questions about the plan to sell and build on Sefton Park Meadows. They included, from Kenneth Aspinall, of Liverpool 18 : “Why, in the face of overwhelming opposition by the people of Liverpool, are you carrying on with this ill-conceived proposal?”

The Mayor says: “I am aware of the objections. I’m also aware of the desperate financial state of the city . . . There are about 235 acres of prime park land and this is not in the park. It’s not used by people and it’s not fair for them to argue that it is. Every fair-minded person in the city knows it’s not part of the park.”

What response has Mayor Anderson had from speaking directly to Europe regarding plans to divert £270m of funding away from Merseyside?”

Paul McDermott, via email

The Mayor says: “I raised this when I met the European Commissioner for Regional Policy, Johannes Hahn. I’ve since written to him and said it’s now happened as I predicted and I await his response. I have also written to the Government to say it’s an absolute travesty of justice.”

Dangerous dogs have become a problem all over the country, and also in Liverpool, especially those owners who do not have their dogs on a lead. Have you any plans to stop this?”

Andrew, Liverpool, via email.

The Mayor says: “I’d love to see things go further and dogs chipped and muzzled in public spaces, irrespective of what type of dog it is.

It then removes that question of what it is. It’s such a grey area – some Jack Russells are the feistiest, most robust little creatures you’ll ever see.

It’s about irresponsible owners but we can’t paint a cross on someone and say they are the irresponsible owners because we just don’t know.

So we have to try and protect people using our public open spaces and living in properties. Doing nothing means we end up with fatalities and attacks on people. This isn’t punishing those who behave. I think most responsible owners would recognise we’ve got to do something.”

On a scale of one to 100, what chances are there of a shared stadium for EFC/LFC? I reckon 0% – because there are so many blinkered, negative moaners here (I think you referred to this problem we have recently while talking about the reaction to the Anfield regeneration).

Sensible Red, name and address supplied

The Mayor says: “About 20%. As the months go on, that will reduce because LFC, once they start their investment, then that stops any chance, I believe, of a shared stadium.

“If an investor comes in and talks to EFC, or takes over, they may well want a dialogue with LFC.”