Bristol, Bath & North East Somerset and South Gloucestershire councils yesterday gave their final endorsement to a devolution deal.
Last June, the three councils decided to move forward with the £1bn West of England devolution deal and a public consultation was carried out in July and August.
The leader of Bath & North East Somerset Council, Cllr Tim Warren, welcomed the deal and said it ‘far outweighs’ all of the other devolution deals struck across the country.
‘We are pleased to move ahead with this deal, which is essential to delivering on our priorities of improving transport infrastructure, delivering affordable homes, and investing in the skills training needed for the local economy,’ he said.
‘This is the best possible deal for our area – and one that far outweighs any other devolution deal done elsewhere in the country, both in terms of the funding secured and safeguards in place to protect the absolute autonomy of Bath & North East Somerset Council.’
Bristol mayor Marvin Rees also welcomed the decision and described it as ‘the biggest change in local decision-making powers in the city region for generations.’
‘This deal should bring over nearly £1bn of spending, along with combined powers over transport, home building, local jobs and training, not to mention fairer chances for everyone to access them and share the benefit of our region’s economic success,’ he continued.
‘This is another shift in our ambition to bring power from Westminster to city government.’
The mayor, who has described the metro mayors included in devolution deals as 'the pill' you have to take to get further deals, warned there will be ‘strings attached’ to the agreement.
‘This isn’t a cure-all and there will always be some strings attached,’ he said.
‘Making it truly work in the long term will take a lot of hard graft. This is only a first step and as we think ahead to the even greater opportunities offered by future devolution deals, we must ensure this is properly resourced to get the best deal for Bristol and the city region.’
Cllr Matthew Riddle, leader of South Gloucestershire Council, characterised the West of England devolution deal as the ‘best negotiated in the country’.
‘I’m absolutely delighted that South Gloucestershire Council, along with Bath and North East Somerset and Bristol councils, have accepted this £1bn devolution deal,’ he said.
‘Our deal is among the best negotiated in the country and will bring tangible benefits to people who live and work across the region.
‘It will mean more local decision-making on spending in key areas such as transport, housing and skills.’
Once the deal has full Parliamentary approval, the councils will be able to establish the West of England Combined Authority. This is expected to happen early next year and the mayoral elections will be held in May 2017.
