Business leaders have welcomed the £1bn West of England devolution deal approved by councillors this week, calling it a “strong signal of long-term confidence and investment into this area”.
Bath & North East Somerset (B&NES), along with Bristol City and South Gloucestershire councils, agreed the package, which transfers funding and powers from Westminster in key areas for the economy such as transport, skills, employment and housing.
The deal is estimated to be worth more than £1,000 for each person in the area. 
James Durie of Business West, which runs Bath Chamber of Commerce, pictured, said: “It’s the best deal of any agreed across the country and will bring new powers and new money down from Whitehall and put it into the hands of our local decision makers at a time when public expenditure is only reducing.
“We may be a successful growth area but we face significant challenges. This deal will give this area the chance to put investment into much needed transport, housing, skills and much more. Moving ahead with this deal also gives this area a priority status with government and the chance to go back and push for more powers and funding.”
Mr Durie, who is also board member of the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), said the business community had backed the deal from the start and believed it would strengthen the area for the long term and benefit everyone who lives and works here.
“Whatever the current uncertainties, this deal now going ahead sends out a strong signal of long term confidence and investment into this area, and it comes at a time when positive signals and action are much needed,” he said.
The fourth local authority making up the West of England area, North Somerset, had already decided not to be a part of the dev
olution deal.
However, Mr Durie said there still needed to be continued strong working across all four councils to take forward the required economic, strategic and transport plans to 2036.
LEP chair Stephen Robertson, pictured, welcomed the “foresight and courage” of the councils, calling their decision “a tremendous step forward for business and residents”.
“The deal will build on the successful joint working arrangements in place, be a real catalyst for sustainable, long-term growth and ensure the West of England can reach its full potential as the most productive economy outside London and a great place to live and work,” he said.
B&NES agreed the deal following special meetings of its cabinet and full council.
Council leader Tim Warren, pictured below, 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 Bat
h & 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 £1bn 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.”
Public consultation on a new West of England combined authority led by an elected ‘metro’ mayor – will now be launched.
This proposed authority would oversee the new funding and powers devolved from Government with the West of England Mayor working alongside the Mayor of Bristol and leaders of B&NES and South Gloucestershire councils.
The public consultation will run between July 4 and August 15. The results then go back to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government who will take account of the outcome when deciding whether the West England devolution deal should go ahead.
B&NES' cabinet will then take a final decision later this year on whether to consent to the Parliamentary order putting the devolution deal in place.
Representatives of the Bath Business Improvement District (BID), Bath Chamber of Commerce, Federation of Bath Residents’ Associations and the South West Transport Network spoke at the council meeting in favour of the devolution deal.
