Residents of Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire will go to the polls in May 2028 to elect their new Wessex mayor following this week's budget announcement.
Somerset Council has been making the case for greater devolution of powers and funding from central government under the 'Wessex Partnership', bringing together its fellow unitary authorities in Dorset, Wiltshire, and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP).
Prime minister Andy Burnham MP strongly hinted at Prime Minister's Questions on October 21 that he would be in favour of creating a new mayoral authority for the region, quipping: "I am always happy to create more mayors."
Chancellor of the exchequer John Healey MP confirmed in his budget on Wednesday (October 28) that ten new devolution deals would be taken forward, including the Wessex deal - with voters going to the polls to elect their first regional mayor in a little over 18 months.
Somerset Council leader Bill Revans confirmed the government's support during a meeting of its planning and transport policy executive sub-committee, held on Wednesday afternoon (October 28) shortly after the chancellor concluded his speech in the House of Commons.
He said: "We had confirmation from Jim McMahon MP yesterday [October 27] that the Wessex devolution proposal is going ahead, subject to consultation and a formal government announcement.
"The expectation is that the local authority will be set up next year and that mayoral elections for the new mayor of Wessex will take place in May 2028.
"This is incredibly good news for this region. It will bring in significant inward investment."
In a joint statement with Mr Revans issued later the same afternoon, BCP leader Millie Earl, Dorset Council leader Nick Ireland and Wiltshire Council leader Ian Thorn said the government's decision was "a significant vote of confidence in our region".
They added: "We warmly welcome the chancellor's commitment today to support devolution for Wessex in the autumn budget statement.
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"This is a significant vote of confidence in our region and recognition that decisions affecting local people are best made closer to the communities they serve.
"We have consistently made a strong case for devolution in Wessex because we believe local people, businesses and communities are best placed to shape the future of our region.
"For residents, it means greater local control over decisions affecting transport, housing, skills, regeneration and economic growth, enabling new, significant funding and investment to be directed towards the priorities that matter most to our communities.
"For Wessex, devolution has the potential to help create better-paid jobs, support our town centres and high streets, improve access to skills and training and strengthen transport connections.
"Above all, it is about ensuring that decisions affecting the future of Wessex are shaped here."
Mr Revans had estimated that a devolution deal would bring an additional £460m to the region every year, which can be used to deliver vital infrastructure and drive forward economic growth.
The joint statement added: "Elsewhere in England, devolution has already opened up significant benefits for residents and businesses.
"For residents, this devolution deal could mean tackling the local housing crisis by building the right homes in the right places, improved infrastructure that will better link our communities, better jobs, better protection for our precious environment and more powers to reinvent our town centres as places where businesses want to invest and people want to be.
"Wessex is ready. We have done the groundwork and look forward to continuing to work closely with the government on an agreement that delivers lasting benefits for our residents, businesses and communities for generations."
Councillor Diogo Rodrigues, leader of the opposition Conservative group, cautiously welcomed the announcement of the new authority but warned that the Liberal Democrats would face a fierce electoral challenge a year beforehand.
He said: "I have reservations about whether creating yet another layer of bureaucracy will deliver any real benefits for the people of Somerset.
"However, if devolution means bringing investment and additional funding into our county, then I am prepared to support it.
"What matters to me is that Somerset gets its fair share of funding and that any new authority delivers genuine improvements for our residents and businesses, rather than simply creating more politicians and bureaucracy.
"My greater concern is who will be running it. After four and a half years in charge, the Liberal Democrats have made a complete mess of Somerset Council.
"Our finances are in a desperate state, independent inspectors have highlighted serious failings, and residents are paying substantially more in council tax while receiving poorer services.
"Next year's local elections will give residents the opportunity to elect a Conservative-run council that can get a grip on Somerset's finances and provide the leadership needed to build a strong, focused Wessex authority that delivers good outcomes for Somerset."
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