South Gloucestershire Council

Published: 26/07/2016

While the summer holidays are now getting underway for many, residents are being reminded to take part in the current consultation on the creation of a new West of England Mayoral Combined Authority (MCA) – including how this Combined Authority would work and what it means – before it closes on 15 August.

Councillor Matthew Riddle, Leader of South Gloucestershire Council, encouraged residents to make their views known, and also highlighted that businesses and employers are also able to take part, to reflect their views on devolution for the region.

“The Devolution Deal is the most significant change to local governance in the West of England since we got rid of Avon. The new model being proposed will mean the three independent authorities will have a mechanism to work together strategically and effectively, while retaining their own identities, and sharing in £1billion of investment from the Government over 30 years.

“South Gloucestershire Council has voted to move forward with the deal, but before the Secretary of State can make their own decision, they need to hear from our local residents and businesses. I would encourage you to take part so that the voices of South Gloucestershire are heard loud and clear.”

Under the proposed devolution deal, the MCA would manage new powers, funding and responsibilities that would be handed from central Government to the region as part of the deal. This would lead to more decisions being able to be made by locally, rather than at Westminster, about spending on regional transport, housing, adult education and skills, for example.

The views of residents and businesses in South Gloucestershire, as well as Bristol and in Bath & North East Somerset, will be considered by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government who will take them into account when deciding whether the deal should go ahead. The deal will then be subject to final agreement at a local level when the matter is considered again at Full Council in October.

The consultation asks for feedback on four key areas of the devolution deal proposals: Decision making, Place (transport and housing), People (adult education and skills), and Business.

How to have your say:

• Online: www.westofenglanddevolution.co.uk
• Paper copies of the survey are available from local libraries, customer service points and one stop shops
• Paper copies or other formats are also available by calling 0117 922 2848

If it is agreed that the MCA should go ahead, it would be established in the first part of 2017, with elections for the position of West of England Mayor to take place across all three local government areas – Bristol, B&NES and South Gloucestershire – in May 2017.