North Somerset faces the possibility of being governed by the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) mayor it did not vote for, as the council moves towards joining WECA. Although North Somerset initially declined to join WECA when it formed in 2017, recent interest has grown amid government encouragement for all councils to join combined authorities.
The current West of England Mayor, Labour’s Helen Godwin, who was narrowly elected in 2024, is expected to continue in office until the next scheduled election in 2029. At a WECA audit committee meeting on December 8, WECA’s head of policy confirmed that North Somerset’s potential membership would not trigger an early mayoral election.
In September, North Somerset Council voted to explore and consult on joining WECA. A report presented to councillors stated that it remains uncertain whether full membership would take effect immediately or wait until after the 2029 mayoral election. Reports suggest that North Somerset could join before 2029 while Mayor Godwin remains in office, pending consultation and legislative approval.
READ MORE: Motorway Farm Shop Transformed into Festive Winter Wonderland
READ MORE: South West Neighbours Celebrate Record £18.3M Jackpot
The process to join WECA is expected to take around a year, involving an eight-week public consultation within North Somerset and existing WECA members, followed by a parliamentary approval process and a further council vote.
Had North Somerset been a WECA member before the May 2024 mayoral election, the outcome might have been different. Godwin won narrowly with 25% of the vote, followed by Reform Party candidate Arron Banks at 22%, and Green Party candidate Mary Page at 20%.
Currently, WECA comprises Bristol, South Gloucestershire, and Bath and North East Somerset, raising concerns among some North Somerset residents about joining a jurisdiction reminiscent of the former County of Avon. Similar discussions about WECA membership have occurred in Gloucestershire.
Though not a member, North Somerset Council already collaborates with WECA on initiatives such as bus service improvements and restoring the Portishead Railway. Recently, North Somerset representatives have been granted observer status at WECA committee meetings.