• Swindon & Wiltshire Economy
• Wednesday January 21 2026

The West of England Mayoral Combined Authority set to approve expansion consultation

The West of England Mayoral Combined Authority is set to approve the start of a consultation on the combined authority expanding to include North Somerset Council.

Negotiations with the national government have already unlocked an additional £15 million in the short-term for projects in the region, should North Somerset join.

An additional £1 million has been offered to assist with the process of the local authority joining Bath & North East Somerset, Bristol, and South Gloucestershire councils as a full member of the regional authority, led by the Mayor of the West of England.

This funding adds to unprecedented investment confirmed in the area since May, bringing the total to almost £1 billion, while the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill making its way through Parliament and as regional mayors and authorities continue to gain new powers and funding.

The government has also committed that, should the expansion proceed, future funding will “take account of an expanded WECA geography and population”: likely increasing future allocations of funding transport improvements and a major new national housing fund. North Somerset joining would add 23 per cent to the combined authority’s population, to a total of 1.225 million, bringing the benefits of devolution to another almost quarter of a million more people and further strengthening the voice of the region.

Altogether, the West has the strongest recent economic growth of any region in the country and, since 2019, has consistently grown at four times the national average.

The proposal follows the Government’s English Devolution White Paper, which requires every local authority area to be part of a strategic authority. The Government has confirmed that the West of England is the best fit for North Somerset and has asked the region to seek views before any decision is taken.

Helen Godwin, Mayor of the West of England, said: “Working together since May, we have given 1.1 million free bus journeys through Kids Go Free, secured the green light for reopening the Bristol to Portishead railway line, and developed an ambitious Growth Strategy for our future. People can see that we are doing things differently, breaking with the past nine years and building a better future with more regional powers to deliver more for local people.

“Together we have negotiated a deal that’s a real vote of confidence from the government. The new chapter that we have started in the West is being backed up with new investment. Millions of pounds more for local projects, and a commitment to greater funding in future based on our larger geography, would make a real difference for communities across our region.

“Supported by local leaders across party and council boundaries both before and after the election, together we have built momentum towards a consultation on North Somerset joining the combined authority. I am looking forward to hearing from local residents and businesses across Bath & North East Somerset, Bristol, North Somerset, and South Gloucestershire as we consider what I know many feel to be a long overdue next step.”

Councillor Mike Bell, Leader of North Somerset Council, said: “I hope that people across the area will get involved in the consultation and share their views. This is a pivotal point for North Somerset which will enable us to ensure that our local communities get maximum benefit from powers – and funding – being devolved from central government.

“Our region is stronger when working together and I hope the expansion will be supported so we can deliver lasting improvements for everyone across the West.”

Since May, Helen Godwin and council leaders have worked more closely together. The Growth Strategy, which sets out an ambitious plan for 72,000 new jobs for the region, highlights that the economic outlook for the area is stronger if the combined authority includes North Somerset, to reflect the economic reality of how the region works by including places like Weston-super-Mare, Clevedon, and Portishead, as well as the Royal Portbury Dock and Bristol Airport.

North Somerset has in recent months also partnered with the regional authority and local councils in work towards a new Spatial Development Strategy, and signed up to the West’s Strategic Place Partnership with Homes England, as part of efforts to tackle the housing crisis.

In September 2025, North Somerset Council voted to approve progressing plans for a consultation, followed by the Mayor and council leaders doing the same in October.

In the timeline set out in a paper to be considered by the Mayor and council leaders at their next meeting on 30 January, a six to eight week consultation is proposed to take place in February and March.

Ministers would consider consultation findings between April and June and, after approval from the Secretary of State, legislation would then need to be drafted from June to be considered at the Mayor and council leaders’ meeting in October.

Subject to the parliamentary calendar, the legislative process would be expected to take around eight weeks, with North Somerset likely to become a full member of the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority from late 2026 or early 2027. The next election of the Mayor of the West of England will take place in May 2029.

Image: West of England Mayoral Combined Authority / Freia Turland