Council step closer to joining combined authority

Councillors have voted to become part of a joint authority, which will manage decisions on issues such as transport and housing.

North Somerset Council hopes to become part of the West of England Combined Authority (Weca) by the end of the year, after voting through proposals on Tuesday.

It will join the councils of Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol city and South Gloucestershire and will work with the directly elected mayor.

The leader of North Somerset Council, Mike Bell, said the decision was about "ensuring North Somerset's voice is heard clearly in regional discussions".

Councillors hope the membership will unlock more investment for the region and help it work on things like economic development and climate change.

Bell said it was an "important and carefully considered decision for councillors".

"By agreeing to progress with joining the West of England Combined Authority, we are taking a step towards gaining a stronger say over decisions that already affect our residents and businesses every day - particularly around transport, jobs, skills and economic growth," he added.

Labour's Helen Godwin, the mayor of Weca, said she was "pleased" with the outcome and they had "listened carefully" to the views expressed during a recent consultation.

"It's clear that there is broad support for moving forward together as a complete region," she said.

"With an even bigger voice on the national stage, we can continue making a difference that people can see and feel across the whole of the West of England," she added.

Godwin also highlighted work already taking place in Portishead to reopen the railway line there.

Weca, which manages regional planning, transport, housing and adult skills training, was formed by Bristol, South Gloucestershire, and Bath and North East Somerset councils in 2017.

They, along with North Somerset, used to make up a single authority - the County of Avon, a controversial merger created in 1974.

It was dissolved in 1996, creating four unitary authorities, three of which later decided to join together to create Weca.

North Somerset opted out, but a formal application to join was submitted last year.

A public consultation on the plans was later opened, with more than half of those taking part saying they supported the idea.

Subject to approval by the secretary of state and legislation being passed, North Somerset could become a full member of Weca from late 2026 or early 2027.

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