Councils covering Bournemouth, Christchurch, Poole and wider Wessex will work with Government after the Prime Minister backed plans for a Mayoral Strategic Authority to support devolved powers and investment. Plans for a Wessex Mayoral Strategic Authority have gained Government support after PMQs yesterday. The leaders of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council, Dorset Council, Somerset Council and Wiltshire Council welcomed the Prime Minister’s confirmation after Edward Morello, MP for West Dorset, asked whether the Government would commit to a mayor by 2028. Mr Morello said a Wessex M
Plans for a Wessex Mayoral Strategic Authority have gained Government support after PMQs yesterday.
The leaders of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council, Dorset Council, Somerset Council and Wiltshire Council welcomed the Prime Minister’s confirmation after Edward Morello, MP for West Dorset, asked whether the Government would commit to a mayor by 2028.
Mr Morello said a Wessex Mayor could bring extra annual funding and long term economic output, while the four leaders called the confirmation “a landmark moment for Wessex” after work to make the case for the area.
They said a Mayoral Strategic Authority would give local areas more control over investment in transport, housing, skills, infrastructure, economic growth and jobs, with decisions made closer to the communities affected.
The leaders added that “Wessex is ready” and that the councils had “done the groundwork”, with a strong partnership, shared priorities and evidence that they could deliver at scale across the region.
Devolution is separate from Local Government Reorganisation, because the Wessex Partnership is made up of four unitary councils which have already been through that process locally, and the four councils will now work with Government on next steps towards devolved powers and investment.
