Devolution deal could bring more jobs and funding

The council will discuss the deal when it meets at Weston-super-Mare Town Hall

A devolution deal could bring more jobs and funding to the area, council leaders have said.

North Somerset Council is exploring options of joining the West of England Combined Authority (WECA), which is made up of authorities from Bristol, South Gloucestershire and Bath and North East Somerset.

The move comes after the deputy prime minister Angela Rayner urged councils to join combined authorities.

Councillor Mike Bell, said: "The council is ambitious to promote further growth and reduce inequality for North Somerset residents."

Although North Somerset did not join WECA when it was formed in 2017, it was part of the authority's joint committee, allowing it to benefit from funding through the Local Economic Partnership.

Unless the local authority joins WECA's main committee, it may lose out on funding, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

'Seize opportunities'

Mr Bell said: "If we want to have the same opportunities as other parts of the country, accessing more powers for North Somerset and our region, then we need to be looking to secure a deal that works for us and for the established West of England Mayoral Combined Authority.

"North Somerset, like many parts of England, has missed out on the opportunities of devolution.

"Now is the right time to seize them and help grow our economy, create new jobs and build enduring partnerships with our neighbours," he added.

A report to the council's executive committee said "alternative options" are not being ruled out if the WECA deal does not come to fruition.

"We're exploring all options to benefit our residents, but very informal at this stage," it added.

The council's executive committee will discuss the matter on 17 September.

New devolution powers

When Labour was came into power in July, Ms Rayner said that "for too long" Westminster had "tightly gripped control" and "held back opportunities for towns, cities and villages across the UK".

Sir Keir said the government will let "those with skin in the game - those that know their communities - make much better decisions".

UK mayors, including WECA's Dan Norris, are now drawing up local plans to boost economic growth.