This is another notch for the side of "this is why mayors aren't devolution, just local government reform". If a First Minister tried this, they would face uproar and parliamentary scrutiny from MSPs/MSs/MLAs. What does the mayor have? Press releases from local councillors?
Ben ZarankoQuestion for the devolution nerds: Ben Houchen won't be allowed to cut income tax *rates*, but what's to stop him using his share of local income tax receipts to send out cheques worth the same amount, as a *spending* programme? Practicalities? Does he lack the required spending powers?