Working together to better serve the region

The West of England Mayoral Combined Authority is set to approve a raft of changes to make the regional authority better serve people across the area.

Following North Somerset Council’s backing last month, the next joint meeting of the Mayor and council leaders on 17 October will consider moving towards consultation on a formal expansion proposal. This would further strengthen the partnership working which has been prioritised by all leaders since May, and meet the ambitions of the government’s English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill.

Separate plans would also see Councillor Kevin Guy chair a new Transport Board; Councillor Tony Dyer chair a new Planning, Housing, and Regeneration Board; Councillor Maggie Tyrrell chair a new Economy and Skills Board; and Councillor Mike Bell chair a new Climate & Nature Board. A new Business Board has already been established, chaired by business leaders Jo Dally and Nick Sturge, with business leaders able until 31 October to apply to join.

Helen Godwin, Mayor of the West of England, said:

“We have already made great strides together 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. With council leaders set to take on enhanced regional roles in this new chapter of genuine partnership, we can secure more investment, get our region moving, and make a real difference that communities can see and feel.

“Alongside the work to consider expanding the combined authority, listening to the voices of local residents and businesses, it’s vital that we catch up with other city-regions. Evolving as an authority will help enable our area to secure the greater powers and funding already devolved to places like West Yorkshire and the West Midlands, to be able to deliver more for people across the West.”

Deputy Mayor and Bath & North East Somerset Council leader, Councillor Kevin Guy, said:

“We need to catch-up with other regions and to achieve this we need more devolved powers to accelerate sustainable growth across the West – a region I am enormously proud to serve both as a council leader and as deputy mayor.  It is good to see the improvement panel has recognised the positive collaboration which we are all committed to in order to achieve the very best for our fantastic region.”    

Councillor Tony Dyer, Leader of Bristol City Council, said:

“Each of our local authorities have distinct strengths and qualities that when brought together as part of the Mayoral Combined Authority, enable us to achieve many positive things for our region. I am delighted to be able to work with colleagues across the West of England to identify and champion solutions to power economic growth and prosperity that benefits households and businesses. I look forward to taking up a new role with the Housing Board and bringing together the knowledge and expertise that exists to help play our part in delivering the homes our region so badly needs.”

Councillor Mike Bell, Leader of North Somerset Council, said:

“Joining the Combined Authority would give North Somerset a direct say in regional decisions on transport, housing, and jobs, and help ensure every community benefits from investment across the West. Working together is simply the most effective way to deliver for our residents.

“I welcome the fact that collaboration is moving from words to action. By building trust, aligning priorities, and focusing on delivery, we can make sure devolution genuinely works for the people and places we represent. I look forward to engaging with residents, businesses, and partners as we shape this next chapter together.”

Councillor Maggie Tyrrell, Leader of South Gloucestershire Council, said:

“I support the approach to collaborative working across the region, including the proposal for the leaders of constituent councils to chair the Advisory Boards. This represents a positive move towards a portfolio leadership style model for our region.”

Alongside this, the regional authority will also continue work towards securing Established Strategic Authority status – which would also give more powers, greater financial flexibility to invest in what the West needs, and catch up with the devolution settlements secured by other city-regions to do more in our area. The Independent Improvement Panel, which was set up following the Best Value Notice being issued in 2023, has recognised the increase in collaboration and positive working relationships that look set to mean it will stand down – subject to approval at its next meeting in late October.

A raft of further changes set out in reports to the Mayor and council leaders include an Organisational Improvement Programme to enable the combined authority to be ready for Established Strategic Authority status as soon as practicable; the first fundamental constitutional review for the organisation since it was created in 2017; an independent recommendation for the remuneration of the rotating Deputy Mayor role, in line with the 2019-21 arrangements; and modernisations such as using secure electronic/digital approval for official documents instead of the currently-employed medieval-style embossed sealing.