Upcoming Consultation on North Somerset Joining West of England Combined Authority
29th January 2026
The West of England Mayoral Combined Authority is set to approve the start of a public consultation on expanding to include North Somerset Council as a full member.
Negotiations with the Government have already secured an additional 15 million pounds in short-term funding for regional projects, should North Somerset join, with a further 1 million pounds offered to assist with the joining process. This funding adds to unprecedented investment confirmed in the area since May, bringing the total to almost 1 billion pounds.
The Government has committed that, should the expansion proceed, future funding will take account of the expanded geography and population. North Somerset joining would add 23 per cent to the combined authority’s population, bringing the total to 1.225 million residents and extending the benefits of devolution to almost a quarter of a million more people.
Helen Godwin, Mayor of the West of England, said the region had achieved significant progress since May, including 1.1 million free bus journeys through the Kids Go Free scheme, securing approval for reopening the Bristol to Portishead railway line, and developing an ambitious Growth Strategy. She emphasised that the new investment represents a vote of confidence from the Government in the region’s direction.
Councillor Mike Bell, Leader of North Somerset Council, encouraged residents to participate in the consultation, describing it as a pivotal point that will enable local communities to benefit from powers and funding being devolved from central government.
Leaders from Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol, and South Gloucestershire councils have all expressed support for the consultation, urging residents across the region to have their say.
The Growth Strategy published by the combined authority highlights that the economic outlook for the area is stronger with North Somerset included, reflecting the economic reality of the region by incorporating Weston-super-Mare, Clevedon, Portishead, Royal Portbury Dock, and Bristol Airport.
According to the proposed timeline, a six to eight week consultation is expected to take place in February and March 2026. Ministers would then consider the findings between April and June, with North Somerset likely to become a full member from late 2026 or early 2027.
An expansion would also support efforts to become an Established Mayoral Strategic Authority, which would see budgets fully devolved from Westminster for housing, regeneration, local growth, transport, skills, retrofit, and employment support.
For further information, visit the North Somerset Council website.
