The £1bn devolution deal for the West of England – which will bring funding and powers back from Westminster – has moved another step closer after the area’s three local authorities gave their consent on its Parliamentary Order.
Bath & North East Somerset (B&NES), Bristol and South Gloucestershire councils voted at separate meetings last week to approve the order, which seeks to establish a new West of England combined authority. 
B&NES leader Cllr Tim Warren said the deal not only brought new funding to the area for essential infrastructure and housing but also guaranteed the “absolute autonomy” of the council – a key issue for its opponents.
The deal will include the transfer of nearly £1bn in government funding over 30 years to the new authority to be spent on transport, housing, skills and business support.
It is said to be the best regional devolution deal yet offer by the government – outweighing any individual agreement with the Northern Powerhouse around Manchester or the Midlands Engine centred on Birmingham.
Some powers will also be transferred in areas such as housing allocation, adult education and strategic planning – although existing planning controls will remain with the individual councils.
The Parliamentary Order, issued by Communities and Local Government Secretary Sajid Javid, will now be laid before Parliament and go to House of Commons and House of Lords committees before gaining Royal Assent, which is expected to be before Parliament goes into its Christmas recess on December 20.
The councils will then have the necessary powers to set up the combined authority early next year and hold in an election in May for the new West of England ‘metro mayor’.
The mayor will lead the combined authority and its cabinet, which will be made up of the Mayor of Bristol and the leaders of B&NES and South Gloucestershire councils.
B&NES leader Cllr Tim Warren added: “We are pleased to move ahead with this deal, which is essential to delivering on our priorities of improving transport infrastructure, delivering affordable homes, and investing in the skills training needed for the local economy.
“This deal unlocks a billion pounds of funding for our area, and brings decision-making powers, on issues that were previously held in Westminster, closer to local communities. It will also ensure that we continue to be at the top table when there are new opportunities to receive funding and investment from central government.
“I would like to thank everybody in Bath and North East Somerset who contributed to the debate; those who gave us their views and particularly those who have been supportive.”
Mayor of Bristol Marvin Rees said the deal had the potential to be “the biggest change in local decision-making powers in the city-region for generations”.
“The three local authorities have worked hard to create a worthwhile offer to government and tried hard to get the most benefit for local people,” he added.
“This deal should bring over nearly £1bn of spending, along with combined powers over transport, home building, local jobs and training, not to mention fairer chances for everyone to access them and share the benefit of our region’s economic success. This is another shift in our ambition to bring power from Westminster to city government.
“This isn’t a cure-all and there will always be some strings attached. Making it truly work in the long term will take a lot of hard graft. This is only a first step and as we think ahead to the even greater opportunities offered by future devolution deals, we must ensure this is properly resourced to get the best deal for Bristol and the city region.”
South Gloucestershire Council leader Cllr Matthew Riddle said he was absolutely delighted that the three councils had accepted the deal.
“Our deal is among the best negotiated in the country and will bring tangible benefits to people who live and work across the region,” he said.
“It will mean more local decision-making on spending in key areas such as transport, housing and skills. Once the Order has received Royal Assent, the new arrangements will be in place early next year.”
