But Smith, who has been mayor of Goole council – population 19, 518– since May and Khan, who in May was elected mayor of the UK capital – population 8.7 million – have one key thing in common.
So comparing Amber Valley (district council, population of 121,000, 299 staff) to Leeds (unitary, population of 787,000, 24,948 staff) is like comparing a tabby with a tiger - they might look similar, but they are completely different animals.
The survey aimed to capture a mix of large councils by population or area, with all main regions represented.
Prof Martin reckons Wales is roughly the size of two or three large English county councils, in population terms, so does it makes sense for us to have 22 of them?
"Everyone is in agreement – the local council, the population, the fishermen and the property developer," he asserts.
In 2011 this figure has increased to 48%, and rose to 98% of councils with populations over 20,000". Dom's study, and several others, featured in a recent professional conference on localism and the big society.
Over 90% of local councils serve populations of fewer than 50,000, each one typically getting almost nine-tenths of its revenues from higher tiers of governments, according to Eduardo Giannetti, an economist at the University of Sao Paulo.Alas for Brazil's taxpayers, not only is this flourishing growth industry of local government costing them a fortune, but the bill will rise.
West Somerset Council is the smallest council by population in England and currently employs 82 people.
The smallest council by population in England is struggling to survive.
The country's biggest non-metropolitan district council, by population, has come into being after a merger.
