A recent public consultation shows that the majority of respondents support North Somerset joining the West of England Combined Authority (WECA). Out of 1,273 people who took part in the eight-week survey, 56.7% backed the move, 37.6% opposed it, and 5.7% remained unsure. A detailed analysis of the responses will be published soon.
WECA was established in 2017 by Bristol, South Gloucestershire, and Bath and North East Somerset. North Somerset, however, chose not to join at that time. With government encouragement for all councils to join combined authorities, North Somerset has now initiated the process to become part of WECA.
West of England Mayor Helen Godwin described North Somerset as “the missing piece of our devolution jigsaw” over the past nine years, emphasizing the support from local leaders, businesses, and residents. “The West’s future is one of real collaboration and partnership,” she said, affirming the clear public support for the move.
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North Somerset Council leader, Cllr Mike Bell, who previously described opting out of WECA as a “mistake,” welcomed the consultation results. He highlighted that the public believes “we are stronger together” and that joining WECA would accelerate efforts to reduce inequality and unlock more impactful funding for the area.
Government funding increasingly comes as large packages allocated to combined authority mayors. If North Somerset joins WECA, the government will grant £15 million for short-term projects, along with increased regular funding to match the expanded population and area.
Ms. Godwin noted that since taking office in May, WECA has secured about £1 billion in investment from the national government—a figure expected to grow as the region continues to raise its profile.
Despite the overall support, the move has sparked some controversy in North Somerset. Joining WECA would re-establish borders similar to those of the former, and widely unpopular, County of Avon, although WECA operates differently from a traditional county council. Additionally, some residents have expressed concerns about democratic representation, as the next mayoral election is not due until 2029, meaning North Somerset could be governed by a mayor they have not voted for for several years.
The government will now review the consultation findings. Formal approval by the secretary of state and legislation passed by Parliament will be required for North Somerset to become a full WECA member—a process expected to conclude by late 2026 or early 2027.