PEOPLE living in Weston-Super-Mare, Portishead and Clevedon could soon become part of a new authority.

At a meeting on Tuesday (September 16), North Somerset Council (NSC) voted to take the first formal step in exploring potential membership of the West of England Combined Authority (WECA).

Councillors backed plans to start an exploration process, including public engagement, on joining WECA.

Formed in 2017, WECA is led by Helen Godwin, Labour mayor of the west of England, and is made up of authorities in Bristol, Bath and North East Somerset, and South Gloucestershire.

It manages regional funding and has powers to make decisions on issues such as transport, skills development, supporting local businesses, and economic development for the region.

Now, NSC leader – Cllr Mike Bell – will develop and consult on a devolution proposal that “is in the interests of North Somerset residents, businesses and partners”.

It comes after the Government’s English Devolution White Paper and other announcements outlined plans to increase decision making powers in the regions, with an increasing proportion of future work programmes and funding being allocated through Mayoral Combined Authorities – with all councils being part of a larger, ‘strategic authority’.

In the south west, NSC neighbours Somerset Council have formed such an authority alongside Wiltshire, Dorset and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Councils – and previously said they were welcome to considering their neighbours to the north.

However, NSC has since pledged to pursue an alignment with WECA, citing “shared economic geography of the West of England and North Somerset, together with established cultural and transport links”, making it the council’s “preferred devolution’ partner”.

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Writing to the council earlier this year, then-Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution, Jim McMahon (Labour, Oldham West and Royton), said WECA was the best partnership for NSC.

“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,” he said then.

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.

Mayor Godwin has said she backs the move in theory, along with authorities in Bath & North East Somerset, Bristol City and South Gloucestershire councils.

Cllr Bell 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.”

NSC leader, Cllr Mike Bell, and Mayor of the West of England, Helen Godwin

Mayor Godwin added: “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.”

Now, NSC will, together with WECA, produce a proposal setting out the intended change and the case for it.

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The proposal for NSC to join WECA would address how the move 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 October 17, public and stakeholder consultation on the proposal is expected to take place in the coming months, for a minimum of eight weeks.

Outcomes of that consultation will then be reported to councillors and will be subject to a Full Council decision on whether to proceed.

If approved, 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 NSC membership and the expansion of WECA.

Formal consent will then be required to the proposed legislation by NSC and WECA before the ‘laying of legislation’ before Parliament, which confirms the 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, NSC said.

In total, the process would be expected to take around a year.