In response to the Government's invitation to express interest in a Mayoral Strategic Authority the leaders of Dorset, BCP, Somerset and Wiltshire Councils, Cllr Nick Ireland, Cllr Millie Earl, Cllr Bill Revans, and Cllr Ian Thorn, have issued a joint statement and said:
“We have been clear Wessex is ready and uniquely placed to move forward with a Mayoral Strategic Authority, and we welcome the Government’s invitation to express an interest as the next step in securing devolution for our region.
“This is an exciting and once-in-a-generation opportunity to bring decisions closer to local people, unlock investment and drive long-term prosperity to every postcode across Bournemouth, Christchurch, Poole, Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire.
“As the only fully unitary area in England without a devolution arrangement, we already operate at the scale required and, with no need for local government reorganisation, we are ready to realise the benefits of devolution from day one.
“A Mayoral Strategic Authority has always been our aim as it would give Wessex the powers and funding that local leaders need to improve transport, housing, skills, infrastructure and lasting economic growth, while strengthening our contribution to the national economy.
"The case for Wessex is clear. We are united in our ambition and ready to seize this opportunity. We are committed to working with Government to secure a devolution agreement that matches the scale and ambition of our potential."
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Hi Adrian, thanks for your comment, I'm just waiting on a couple of colleagues to get back to me so I can provide a full response to your question. Please bear with us, thank you, Kirstie
Hi Adrian, we now have a full response to your question. Apologies for the delay: Devolution is about transferring certain powers, funding and decision-making from Westminster to the regions through organisations that will be known as 'Strategic Authorities'. If devolution is agreed for the Wessex area and a Wessex Mayoral Strategic Authority is created, it will have powers over certain matters which will allow local leaders to better align policies with the area’s economic strengths and challenges. Transport and local infrastructure is one such area – a Mayoral Strategic Authority will have a duty to prepare a regional bus strategy, for example. Waste management will remain a council responsibility, with Dorset residents able to access our household recycling centres as they do now. Similarly, council tax rates will continue to be determined by the council and will not be increased to fund a future Mayoral Strategic Authority. Government has committed to devolve funding and resources to support Strategic Authorities, and we are waiting for further details. Best regards, Claire
Hi Adrian, we now have a full response to your question. Apologies for the delay: Devolution is about transferring certain powers, funding and decision-making from Westminster to the regions through organisations that will be known as 'Strategic Authorities'. If devolution is agreed for the Wessex area and a Wessex Mayoral Strategic Authority is created, it will have powers over certain matters which will allow local leaders to better align policies with the area’s economic strengths and challenges. Transport and local infrastructure is one such area – a Mayoral Strategic Authority will have a duty to prepare a regional bus strategy, for example. Waste management will remain a council responsibility, with Dorset residents able to access our household recycling centres as they do now. Similarly, council tax rates will continue to be determined by the council and will not be increased to fund a future Mayoral Strategic Authority. Government has committed to devolve funding and resources to support Strategic Authorities, and we are waiting for further details. Best regards, Claire
Hi R H, thanks for your comment, I'm just waiting on a couple of colleagues to get back to me so I can provide a full response to your questions. Please bear with us, thank you, Kirstie
Hi R H, we now have a response to your questions. Apologies for the delay:
The government has committed to supporting good growth in every part of the UK, with local devolution as an important enabler – there is a growing trend of government targeting new funding allocations and delivery flexibilities at Mayoral Authorities. A Strategic Authority for Wessex will unlock access to these opportunities for Dorset and its partner councils and strengthen our collective influence with government. If a Wessex Strategic Authority is created, local councils in BCP, Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire will continue to exist and have the same statutory responsibilities as they do now. The current legal, tax-raising and public service responsibilities of individual councils will remain with those councils. Government has committed to devolve funding and resources to support Strategic Authorities, and we are waiting for further details.
Any formal proposals for a Wessex Strategic Authority will be subject to consultation. Best regards, Claire
Hi Donna, Mayoral Strategic authorities are established through negotiations between central government and the constituent local authorities as part of a devolution agreement rather than by a public vote on whether to create it. The 4 councils which make up the Wessex area are currently missing out on funding from Government because we don't have this arrangement with in place, despite pushing for it for over 2 years. However, residents can get directly involved by voting for a mayor, standing as candidates (subject to eligibility rules) or by influencing priorities through elections and consultation exercises. I hope this helps, Kirstie.