Leaders of Bristol, Bath and North East Somerset and South Gloucestershire councils have given final endorsement to the £1bn West of England devolution deal to create the West of England Combined Authority.
The new combined authority will be led by a West of England mayor due to be elected in May 2017, while the cabinet will be formed from the leaders of the councils and the Bristol mayor.
Under the deal the directly elected combined authority mayor would take control of a devolved transport budget under a multi-year settlement, as well as franchising powers over local bus services.
They will also take responsibility for a Key Route Network of local roads, with all relevant local roads maintenance funding forming part of the mayor’s transport budget.
Marvin Rees, Mayor of Bristol said: ‘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 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.’
Cllr Tim Warren, Leader of Bath and North East Somerset Council, said: ‘This is the best possible deal for our area – and 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 Bath & North East Somerset Council.’
Under the deal the combined authority area plans to establish joint working arrangements with Highways England and Network Rail ‘on operations, maintenance and local investment through a new Memorandum of Understanding’.
The West of England Combined Authority could also bring forward alternative proposals for the management of current and new rail stations in its area.
Cllr Matthew Riddle, leader of South Gloucestershire Council said he was ‘absolutely delighted with the deal’.
Having had local approval for the Parliamentary Order for the deal, it will now go through a Parliamentary process, and is expected to receive Royal Assent before the Parliamentary recess at Christmas.
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