Decision details

Regional Devolution Proposals

Decision Maker: Executive

Decision status: Recommmend Forward to Council

Is Key decision?: Yes

Is subject to call in?: No

Decision:

Following consideration of the officer report, appendices, and discussion, the Executive resolved to:

 

1.    Note the publication of the Government’s devolution White Paper and welcomes the Government’s devolution policy objectives (as set out in section 2 of this report), including the ambitions to extend the geography of devolution across the country and increase the powers, functions and budgets devolved to local areas.  

2.    Authorise the Leader and Chief Executive to continue to work with partner authorities and Government departments (including Dorset. Wiltshire and BCP Councils in the Wessex grouping) to promote and develop a joint strategic approach to devolution.  

3.    Recommend that Full Council:  

a.    endorses the principle of Somerset Council working with partner local authorities (including Dorset, Wiltshire and BCP Councils) to secure a devolution settlement for the Wessex area and the ambition of the partners to be part of Government’s Devolution Priority Programme.  

b.    accepts that Wessex has agreed to be available to Swindon Borough Council and North Somerset Council should they wish to join Wessex at a later stage.  

c.     recognises that the geographies of authorities within the Devolution Priority Programme are identified as areas for the creation of a new MSA from 2026/27 with mayoral elections in May 2026. 

d.    notes the potential opportunities to promote economic growth, skills and prosperity alongside the financial benefits and strategic and operational implications for Somerset Council arising from a devolution settlement and the creation of a MSA. 

 

 

Publication date: 04/02/2025

Date of decision: 03/02/2025

Decided at meeting: 03/02/2025 - Executive

Accompanying Documents: