Businesses encouraged to have their say on North Somerset membership of WECA

Businesses and residents are being encouraged to have their say on whether North Somerset Council should become part of the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority (WECA). 

A public consultation launched last week and will run until Friday 10 April. Full details are available at: https://www.westofengland-ca.gov.uk/weca-north-somerset-consultation. 

WECA is a Combined Authority, which is a legally constituted partnership made up of the directly elected WECA mayor plus Leaders of Bristol City, B&NES and South Gloucestershire Councils. The partners work together to make collective decisions on strategic cross-regional issues and funding including regional public transport, skills and training, housing and regeneration, business support, and climate change. There is a strong focus on economic growth and supporting investment.

North Somerset Council works closely with West of England partners, but because we are not currently a member of the formal Combined Authority, the area misses out on significant funding and investment opportunities, and don’t have a full say in decision-making. 

North Somerset businesses and residents are unable to access grant funding programme available in other parts of the West of England, and we often have to compete with local authorities across the country for funding for infrastructure projects. 

Government has pledged £15m capital funding and £1m revenue funding to support membership, but the potential long-term funding on offer is much greater, including access to Integrated Financial Settlements. 

The consultation on membership is available online via the Combined Authority’s website. Printed versions of the consultation forms are be available at libraries, community centres, GP surgeries, and students’ unions throughout the region.  

The Council, WECA and Ministers will consider the consultation findings in the Spring before deciding whether to proceed with the proposal for membership. 

Find out more  Expanding the West of England Combined Authority into North Somerset – West of England Combined Authority