B&NES Cabinet yesterday accepted the government’s proposed Devolution Deal and plans to create a Combined Authority, with a Metro Mayor, covering Bristol, B&NES and South Gloucestershire.
Members of the Council considered all of the aspects of the deal before agreeing that, on balance, the proposal presented the best available deal for the people of Bath and North East Somerset, and agreed to put forward the deal’s governance scheme for wider public consultation.
After the consultation, the results then go back to back to the Secretary of State – who is obliged by law to take account of the outcome. It then comes back to the Council’s Cabinet who will have the final decision on whether to consent to the parliamentary order putting the devolution deal in place.
The decision by the Council and Cabinet means that the public will have the opportunity to have their say on the scheme, including the Government’s proposal for a West of England Combined Authority Mayor to oversee the devolved arrangements.
The principle behind the devolution deal is to hand more funding and powers from Westminster to the West of England – with greater local control over how that money is spent, and the ability to deliver key infrastructure projects quicker.
It also provides greater opportunities to improve transport, deliver more affordable housing and encourage new investment, economic growth and jobs.
At the Council meeting, the councillors heard from public speakers in support of the devolution deal, including representatives of the Bath Business Improvement District, Bath Chamber of Commerce, Federation of Bath Residents’ Associations and the South West Transport Network.
Speaking following the meeting, Councillor Tim Warren (Conservative, Mendip), Leader of Bath & North East Somerset Council, said: “This has been a very complex decision for all concerned.
“After many months of negotiations with Government, we have secured the best possible deal for our area – one that far outweighs any other devolution deal done elsewhere in the country, both in terms of the funding secured and safeguards in place to protect the absolute autonomy of Bath & North East Somerset Council.
“It’s important to make clear that this deal does not mean the merger of any Councils – it does not impact upon any of our Council assets or services. It is purely about handing funding and powers down from Government, not up from the Council.
“Not only does this deal unlock a billion pounds of funding for our area, it also brings decision-making powers, on issues that were previously held in Westminster, closer to local communities and ensures that we continue to be at the top table when there are new opportunities to receive funding and investment from central Government.
“I am also pleased that, as part of the deal we have also secured an additional commitment from the Government to consider further investment in our enterprise zones and a commitment to study the options to link the A36 and A46”.
“Councillors considered all aspects of this deal very carefully and decided that, on balance, it is the right thing to put the scheme to residents for consultation. It’s now over to the public have their say through the consultation.”
Lib Dem Group Leader, Councillor Dine Romero (Lib Dem, Southdown), commented: “I do not believe you should sign deals in times of uncertainty. This decision feels rushed through against a backdrop of chaos in national government.
“We have no idea whether the next ministers will honour this agreement or indeed whether they will insist on a Metro Mayor. Do we really want to accept another layer of bureaucracy, when this could be avoided?”
Councillor Shaun Stephenson-McGall (Lib Dem, Oldfield) added: “There are many aspects of this deal which are welcome – additional control over and funding for education, transport and growth initiatives.
“However, I am concerned that B&NES residents may never see these benefits as most resources will be directed to those areas of Bristol and South Gloucestershire where the needs are greatest in terms of economic deprivation and transport problems.”
Councillor Steve Hedges (Lib Dem, Odd Down) said: “B&NES residents were given a vote on whether or not to have a Mayor for the Council, so why aren’t they getting a vote on whether to have a Metro Mayor?”
“We voted against the motion this evening due to all the concerns our Councillors have outlined. However we absolutely support public consultation and we will work hard to encourage as many residents as possible to respond to this consultation and help ensure that the government and the Conservative administration have a clear view of the public’s wishes on the matter.”
It is understood that both Bristol City Council and South Gloucestershire Council have also agreed to put forward the scheme for public consultation, which will be undertaken jointly by the three authorities.
The public consultation will start on Monday 4th July, in accordance with the timetable set by the Government.
People will be given the opportunity to express their views on the proposed scheme via the internet and questionnaires in local libraries and other contact points.
Further details of the consultation process will be issued in due course.
