Councils confirm devolution bid despite concerns

A new Heart of Wessex combined authority could be formed under devolution plans

Three rural councils have told the government they want to be considered together as a Wessex group under proposed devolution plans.

In a meeting on Thursday evening, Wiltshire Council voted overwhelmingly in favour of joining Dorset and Somerset councils to move forward with a new Heart of Wessex combined authority.

Under government plans for devolution across England, the new authority will eventually be presided over by a mayor - something councillors in Wiltshire have raised significant concerns about.

"None of us think a mayor is a good idea," said Wiltshire Council leader Richard Clewer after the vote.

Richard Clewer said many councillors had reservations about a mayor presiding over a new combined authority

"We all feel that a mayor is not right for a large rural area but we have to have one, " he added.

"We're trying to make the best of that in the context government have given us in a way that will work for both Wiltshire's residents and for rural England, and both of those need to have a voice."

Clewer explained that the decision to group together with Dorset and Somerset had been made as they all have a large number of market towns and were similar in terms of economy, transport and housing issues.

He added that the bid was also intended to prevent the government grouping Wiltshire Council with Berkshire, a partnership he said "doesn't work" for the people he represents.

Swindon Borough Council has not yet made a decision on who it would prefer to be partnered with in a proposed combined authority, with a meeting scheduled for next Thursday to discuss the options.

Addressing concerns that Wiltshire Council's decision to provisionally combine with Dorset and Somerset could affect upcoming local elections, Clewer said he saw "no reason" for the May vote to be delayed.

'Revolution in bus provision'

Clewer said devolution could provide positive changes in transport and highways.

"We could see a revolution in bus provision in rural south west England," he said.

In a joint statement published on Friday, the leaders of Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire councils, Nick Ireland, Bill Revans, and Clewer, confirmed they had submitted a letter to government "showing our collective support" for devolution.

"This proposal is not a merger of the three councils," they said.

"Each council will remain independent, continuing to serve its local communities as individual authorities."

They added that they "remain open" to conversations with BCP Council (Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole), Swindon Borough Council and North Somerset Council.