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Plans for new Heart of Wessex region – and mayor – welcomed in Dorset

PLANS to introduce a mayor for a new ‘Heart of Wessex’ region in a bid to boost investment and devolution in the region have been welcomed by leaders in Somerset, Wiltshire and Dorset.

Today (December 16), the Government published proposals for ‘devolution’ in a number of regions, including the West Country, which would involve creating new mayors for the areas.

And the Leaders of Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire Councils said they are “optimistic that they can work with Government to progress proposals for the Heart of Wessex Mayoral Strategic Authority” following the publication of the Devolution White Paper.

A joint statement by Cllr Nick Ireland, Cllr Bill Revans, and Cllr Richard Clewer – the leaders of Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire Councils – said: “We welcome the publication of the Devolution White Paper as a significant step forward in our journey towards achieving devolution for the Heart of Wessex region.

“This milestone reflects the Government’s commitment to empowering local communities and enabling regions like ours to collaborate on our shared vision.

“Government has made it clear that if strategic authorities are going to maximise the funding opportunities available devolution deals will require a mayor and ministers will be able to impose mayors and geographies on local councils.

“The establishment of the Heart of Wessex Mayoral Strategic Authority represents a fantastic opportunity to have a champion for the Wessex region who will be able to deliver meaningful change for our residents and advocate for our interests in Westminster.

“This will also offer the likely opportunity for increased funding and investment to our council regions.

“We want to make the Heart of Wessex a thriving region whose unique interests are heard and understood by central government.”

They said the plans would create “clear, accountable leadership to drive economic growth, improve public services, and invest in vital infrastructure across the region”.

“This model will see additional powers handed down from central government and redefine local decision-making, unlocking significant opportunities for our residents and businesses,” they went on.

“The Heart of Wessex encompasses real strengths in sectors such as defence, digital, life sciences, advanced manufacturing and clean energy, and devolution offers the opportunity to secure additional funding for the critical infrastructure needed with the ability to attract additional private sector investment.

“We have made clear our strong desire to be considered in the first tranche of devolution agreements. We look forward to working with Government to discuss how quickly we can progress devolution to lead change in local government.”

If the devolution proposal is approved, Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire councils will continue to exist and are expected to have the same responsibilities as they do now.

The offer to BCP Council and Swindon Borough Council to join the Heart of Wessex partnership remains open, the trio added.

If the scheme progresses quickly, the creation of a new Heart of Wessex region could see next year’s local elections could be postponed to be aligned with mayoral elections in 2026.

Elections in Wiltshire which are currently scheduled for May 1, 2025. Somerset is not due to hold elections until 2027, while Dorset Council elections were held in 2024.

Lucy Townsend, returning officer at Wiltshire Council, said: “At this stage the Government has advised that they are actively considering postponing local elections for those areas progressed in the first tranche of devolution deals so that they can be held alongside mayoral elections in 2026.

“We will continue to plan for our elections on May 1 until a decision is made as to whether this will include the Heart of Wessex.

“If it does, then we would support the decision to postpone elections in Wiltshire to allow them to take place alongside the mayoral elections.”

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