Disappointment as major devolution plans halted
Plans to create a new Wessex mayoral authority have stalled after the Government announced the bid would not be taken forward.
The Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) is looking to devolve more decision-making powers to local government, encouraging councils to team up to form mayoral strategic authorities.
But now the government has confirmed that Wessex has not been included within the Devolution Priority Programme.
The leaders of Dorset Council, Somerset Council and Wiltshire Council asked the government for them to be part of the first new authorities to be created under the priority programme. The trio of councils were joined afterwards by Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council (BCPC), with elections being planned for May 2026.
The four councils of Wessex said they submitted a comprehensive proposal outlining the transformative benefits devolution could bring, including greater local control over key areas such as transport, housing, and economic development.
In a joint statement, the leaders of BCP, Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire Councils, Cllr Millie Earl, Cllr Nick Ireland, Cllr Bill Revans, and Cllr Richard Clewer, said: “Despite the fact that we felt Government were moving too quickly to deliver devolution, and our discussion about the format of Mayoral Strategic Authority as the most appropriate solution for our region, we worked collaboratively with ministers throughout to deliver a strong proposal. Therefore, the decision not to include Wessex within the Devolution Priority Programme is extremely disappointing.
“We feel the Wessex proposal aligned with the aims of the White Paper, encompassing a population of approximately 1.9 million, with the region well-placed to support the Government’s growth priorities, particularly in clean energy, defence, digital technologies, life sciences, and tourism. The area could now miss out on essential funding, and combined with the likely defunding of pan-regional partnerships and the substantial reduction in the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, the fact that this will now be delayed when we are ready to go is deeply regrettable.”
