News / Politics
North Somerset interested in joining WECA
North Somerset Council could finally join the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) — telling the government that it is interested.
Almost 30 years since the dissolution of the County of Avon, North Somerset is the only part of the former county which is not part of the combined authority, pooling some resources under the leadership of a Metro Mayor for more devolved powers.
But now North Somerset Council’s executive has backed an expression of interest in joining.
is needed now More than ever
Council leader Mike Bell told the council executive at its meeting on September 17: “The approach that is being recommended to the executive today is in line with the established policy of this administration which is to seek membership of the West of England Combined Authority.
“Therefore the expression of interest confirms that this is our preferred direction of travel.”
Continuing to say that it is not for definite and that they “have explored as a partnership, other opportunities and will continue to do so over the coming few months.
“But it’s important we are clear, when government is looking at the devolution landscape across the country, where we see our future relationship.”
In January, the idea was floated of North Somerset joining a “Wessex” combined authority with the Somerset, Dorset, Wiltshire, and BCP (Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole) councils.
A map showing the South West of England – photo: West of England Combined Authority
Mr Bell told the cabinet meeting: “This is an expression of interest. It is no more than that. It isn’t a deal, it isn’t a set of proposals, and there’s clearly a lot of work to be done — not just to make sure that any proposals are in the interest of North Somerset Council — but also in interests of the other existing members of the West of England Combined Authority.
“So this is not signing on the dotted line but it is saying we are interested, we are up for the conversation with government about how to access a devolution deal, which is all about trying to secure long term benefits for residents, businesses, and others in North Somerset.”
He added: “There are lots of positives and some negatives around potential devolution deals.”
The expression of interest is a response to a letter from deputy prime minister Angela Rayner, sent to council leaders across the country, about the new Labour government’s “most ambitious programme of devolution this country has ever seen” and urged councils to join combined authorities.
Rayner said: “While we will not force places to take on a metro mayor, we will not shy away from making the case for their huge advantages, with some powers continuing to be reserved for institutions with directly elected leaders, such as mayoral combined authorities.”
The four unitary authorities of North Somerset, Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol, and South Gloucestershire used to be one county council: the County of Avon.
The controversial merger was created in 1974, creating a “greater Bristol” by breaking off southern parts of Gloucestershire and northern parts of Somerset. But it was dissolved in 1996, creating the four unitary authorities.
When the West of England Combined Authority was founded in 2017 to loosely reunite the former county, North Somerset was the only one of the four unitary authorities to vote against joining.
As a result, North Somerset is not a part of its main committee — but it does sit on the authority’s “joint committee” and still benefits from funding through the Local Economic Partnership, allowing it to work with the combined authority on a host of projects including Metrowest and the — now threatened — reopening of the Portishead railway. But now these partnerships are ending.
If North Somerset joins the West of England Combined Authority by its next elections in May 2025, people in North Somerset will be able to vote for the West of England Metro Mayor.
The current Metro Mayor, Dan Norris (Labour) was elected in 2021 but was also elected the MP for North East Somerset and Hanham at this year’s general election. It is not yet been confirmed whether he will stand for re-election.
Main photo: John Wimperis
Read next:
Our top newsletters emailed directly to you
