North Somerset Council missed a crucial step in its potential membership of the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) due to an unexpected traffic disruption. Deputy leader Catherine Gibbons, scheduled to attend the meeting as an observer, was trapped in gridlocked traffic on the M5 and unable to participate.
The meeting, held in Bristol and chaired by West of England Mayor Helen Godwin, brought together leaders from WECA’s existing three member councils to formally open the process of incorporating North Somerset. Although North Somerset isn’t yet a full member and lacked voting rights at the meeting, Mayor Godwin conveyed she would have welcomed contributions from Ms. Gibbons.
The M5 was closed in both directions between junctions 19 (Portishead) and 18 (Avonmouth) after a police incident. The closure caused widespread congestion across Bristol, further intensified by a home football match at Bristol City FC.
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North Somerset had originally opted out of WECA when it was founded in 2017. However, increased government pressure on councils to join combined authorities led North Somerset Council to vote in favor of joining last September. Mayor Godwin humorously acknowledged the parish’s change of heart, saying, “North Somerset might have banished themselves in 2017, but now the Faithful are recruiting, and we know who we want on our team.”
Bristol City Council leader Tony Dyer likened WECA to Pac-Man, noting North Somerset as the “big chunk missing.” He also emphasized that WECA is distinct from the former County of Avon, stressing it represents a new vision for regional collaboration.
The meeting approved launching a public consultation lasting six to eight weeks, expected to take place through February and March. Subject to parliamentary approval, North Somerset could become a full WECA member by late 2026 or early 2027.
In comments to SomersetLive, North Somerset Council leader Mike Bell expressed regret over the initial decision not to join. “We made a mistake by not joining the combined authority in the first place,” he said. “Mayoral strategic authorities are the only game in town for driving growth and ambitious plans.”
The government has pledged £15 million in funding toward short-term projects if North Somerset joins WECA. Although the exact use of these funds remains undecided, the combined authority anticipates increased funding in the long term, reflecting the expanded geography and population from the inclusion of North Somerset—potentially boosting the budget by around 25%.
WECA oversees public transport and distributes funding for housing, regeneration, skills development, employment initiatives, and home retrofitting projects. The committee recently approved a £416 million budget for the upcoming financial year.
Membership in WECA will grant North Somerset residents a vote in electing the West of England Mayor, though this will not take effect until the 2029 election cycle, as no early polls are planned. However, North Somerset Council will gain immediate representation and voting rights on the WECA committee once membership is finalized—assuming future traffic delays don’t impede attendance.