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Councillors authorised the Leader of the Council to develop and consult upon a devolution proposal that is in the interests of North Somerset residents, businesses and partners.
The English Devolution White Paper and other announcements have confirmed that government will direct an increasing proportion of future work programmes and funding through Mayoral Combined Authorities, and that all councils must be part of some form of ‘strategic authority’. This brings together a number of councils to work together in legally binding partnerships.
The shared economic geography of the West of England and North Somerset, together with established cultural and transport links, means WECA remains the council’s preferred ‘devolution’ partner.
Writing to the council earlier this year, the then Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution, Jim McMahon OBE MP, also concluded that WECA was the best partnership for North Somerset Council:
“In terms of future governance arrangements for the region, a WECA devolution geography larger than at present would have the best chance of providing economic alignment vital to successful services delivery.”
WECA and the council already have a number of joint working arrangements in place across a range of activity including transport, housing, economic growth and the climate emergency.
The proposal for North Somerset Council to join WECA is supported in principle by the new Mayor of the West of England, Helen Godwin, and the constituent authorities of Bath & North East Somerset, Bristol City and South Gloucestershire councils.
Cllr Mike Bell, Leader of North Somerset Council, said: “The government is very clear that councils should work more closely together and form regional partnerships. We remain ambitious for North Somerset and want to explore joining the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) where together we will create further economic growth, reduce inequality for our residents, access new sources of funding and gain more local control. This is the right thing to do to unlock access to funding and partnership opportunities for North Somerset.
“We are keen to hear views from businesses, residents and our partners, including town and parish councils, about devolution. We must enter into this process with our eyes open and with a determination to get the best outcomes for North Somerset. The best way to achieve that is by working together as a community and I would encourage everyone to be part of this conversation.”
Helen Godwin, the Mayor of the West of England, said: “During the election, I was clear – with cross-party support across the West – that the door was open for North Somerset to join our regional authority. This week’s council meeting in Weston-super-Mare is a really welcome first step in that direction.
“We have already made great strides since May, working more closely in partnership with our North Somerset neighbours, welcoming record transport funding for our part of the world, and beginning work on joint projects that will deliver for local people. Together, we can secure more investment, get our region moving, and make a real difference that communities can see and feel.
“The voices of local residents and businesses across North Somerset, Bath & North East Somerset, Bristol, and South Gloucestershire are important as we together consider expanding the combined authority.”
North Somerset Council will, together with WECA, produce a proposal setting out the intended change and the case for it. In particular, any proposal will address how this would:
- Improve economic, social and/or environmental outcomes for those who live and work in the area;
- Secure effective and convenient governance; and
- Be appropriate having regard to the interests and needs of local communities.
Subject to approval at the next meeting of the Mayor and council leaders on 17 October, formal public and stakeholder consultation on the proposal is expected to take place in the coming months across North Somerset and the WECA area for a minimum of eight weeks.
The outcomes of this consultation will be reported back to council and will be subject to a Full Council decision on whether to proceed. If decided to progress, a formal submission of the final proposal will be assessed by the Secretary of State and legislation drafted (in the form of a Statutory Instrument or Order) for North Somerset Council membership and the expansion of WECA.
Formal consent will then be required to the proposed legislation by North Somerset Council and WECA before the ‘laying of legislation’ before Parliament, which confirms North Somerset Council’s future membership of WECA. It is unclear at present whether this would take immediate effect, or if full membership would wait until after the next 2029 mayoral election.
The process set out above is expected to take approximately 12 months to complete.
A link to the Council paper with further information is available at: Committee Report NSC