An eight‑week public consultation on whether North Somerset Council should join the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority has found that people and businesses across the region are broadly supportive of the proposal.
Headline results show that 56.7% of respondents are in favour of the expansion, with 37.6% opposed and 5.7% unsure. A total of 1,273 responses were received, with detailed analysis set to be carried out and published in the coming weeks.
The consultation, which closed on Monday 13 April, followed the Mayor of the West of England and council leaders approving proposals in January to formally seek public views.
It came after negotiations with national government secured £15 million of additional short‑term funding for projects in the region, contingent on North Somerset becoming part of the combined authority.
Alongside this, the government has allocated £1 million to help support the practical and legal process of North Somerset joining Bath & North East Somerset, Bristol, and South Gloucestershire as a full WECA member.
This funding builds on nearly £1 billion of unprecedented investment announced for the West of England since May, as the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill progresses through Parliament and regional authorities are granted increased powers and funding.
The government has confirmed that, should the expansion proceed, future funding allocations will take account of the expanded geography and population.
North Somerset joining would:
- Increase WECA’s population by 23%
- Bring the total population to approximately 1.225 million
- Extend the benefits of devolution to almost a quarter of a million additional people
This could lead to higher future funding for transport improvements and access to a major new national housing fund.
The West of England already has the strongest recent economic growth of any UK region, having grown at four times the national average since 2019.
Regional leaders argue that including North Somerset better reflects the economic reality of how the region operates, encompassing areas such as:
- Weston‑super‑Mare
- Clevedon
- Portishead — where work will soon begin to reopen the Portishead–Bristol railway line
- Key economic assets including Royal Portbury Dock and Bristol Airport
The region’s Growth Strategy, which aims to create 72,000 new jobs, indicates that economic prospects are stronger if North Somerset is part of the combined authority.
The consultation followed the Government’s English Devolution White Paper, which requires every local authority to be part of a strategic authority.
Ministers have confirmed that the West of England is the best strategic fit for North Somerset and asked the region to consult before any decision is taken.
North Somerset Council voted to progress plans for a consultation in September 2025, followed by formal backing from the Mayor and council leaders in October.
Ministers will now consider the consultation findings, alongside North Somerset Council, which is set to discuss the results at its meeting next month.
West of England Mayor Helen Godwin said:
"North Somerset has felt like the missing piece of our devolution jigsaw over the last nine years, not only for all local council leaders but for businesses and residents around the region. We will carefully consider the detailed consultation results, as we work together to continue the momentum we have built up.
"It's clear that the West's future will be one of real collaboration and partnership, and we can see that people support that. Since May, we have secured around £1 billion of investment from national government - a figure that, like our regional economy - will keep growing as we make the West Country's voice heard in this new chapter."
Subject to approval by the Secretary of State, legislation is expected to be drafted and considered by the Mayor and council leaders in October. Depending on the parliamentary timetable, the legislative process is anticipated to take around eight weeks.
If approved, North Somerset could become a full member of WECA from late 2026 or early 2027. The next West of England mayoral election is scheduled for May 2029.
An expanded WECA would also strengthen the region’s bid to become an Established Mayoral Strategic Authority, alongside areas such as Greater Manchester and West Yorkshire.
EMSA status would enable:
- Full devolution of budgets for housing, regeneration, transport, skills and employment support
- The right to request rail devolution
- Priority support for multi‑modal ticketing
- Greater local control over programmes such as affordable housing delivery and retrofit funding
The Devolution Minister has confirmed the government will work with the West of England on achieving EMSA status “to the fastest possible timeline”.
Image credit: iStock
