Bill Revans: Wessex devolution plan will benefit Somerset

That principle sits at the heart of devolution and why Somerset Council has been advocating for a new Wessex Mayoral Strategic Authority alongside our neighbours and partners in Wilshire, Dorset and BCP councils.

The government has now confirmed funding for a new Mayoral Strategic Authority, bringing together councils across the Wessex area with a directly elected mayor.

This is a significant moment, not just for Somerset, but for the future prosperity of the whole South West.

Put simply, devolution means power moving out of Whitehall and into the hands of local people.

For too long, important decisions about investment, transport, skills and economic growth have been made in Westminster.

A Mayoral Strategic Authority gives us the opportunity to influence those decisions locally and secure greater investment for our communities.

It is important to be clear about what this is, and what it is not.

The new authority will not take over local services such as adult social care, children's services, waste collection or local planning decisions.

Those responsibilities will remain with Somerset Council.

Instead, the focus is on driving economic growth, improving skills and training opportunities, securing major infrastructure investment, supporting businesses and improving strategic transport connections across the region.

This is about bringing more powers and resources to our area so that we can shape our own future.

The opportunity is substantial.

Across the Wessex region, the additional funding available to support growth is estimated to be worth around £464m.

That investment could help unlock new jobs, attract business investment, improve transport links and create opportunities for residents and young people.

Somerset has enormous strengths on which to build.

We are home to world-leading expertise in clean energy, a thriving food and farming sector, advanced manufacturing, a growing creative economy, nationally important defence industries and a visitor economy that attracts millions to our beautiful county each year.

Yet we know there is even greater potential waiting to be unlocked.

Businesses across the region recognise this opportunity.

The proposal has been welcomed by many employers and by the Wessex Chambers of Commerce partnership, who understand that stronger regional leadership can help attract investment, improve infrastructure and create the conditions for sustainable economic growth.

At a time when the Great South West strategic partnership has come to an end, it is more important than ever that the South West speaks with a stronger voice at the national level.

A Mayoral Strategic Authority will ensure our region has a direct seat at the table when decisions about the country's future are being made.

No one should see this as being about politics.

It is about prosperity.

A stronger economy means more opportunities for local people, better prospects for our young people, stronger businesses, and ultimately greater resources to support the public services on which we all depend.

Put simply, prosperity pays for all.

That is why I hope we can continue to build broad cross-party support for devolution.

Somerset's future success depends on our ability to work together and secure the investment, influence and opportunities our residents deserve.

With strategic devolution already helping areas such as the West of England Combined Authority, and with new arrangements developing across Cornwall, Devon and Wessex, we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to strengthen the South West's place in the national economy.

My view is simple: if there is more funding, more influence and more opportunity available for Somerset and the wider South West, we should be leading the conversation, not watching it from the sidelines.