[Regional Mayor Helen Godwin pictured at Bath bus station with the Prime Minister during recent visit.]
Our West of England Mayor, Helen Godwin, has backed new plans to give regional authorities a share of the income tax generated in their regions – as part of a devolution revolution to make life better in every postcode.
It follows an announcement by the Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, and is part of his drive to transfer power away from Westminster.
He will also allow mayors to keep some cash from business rates collected in their areas, and gain greater control over services such as housing, transport, and skills.
No decision yet on how much, but more details are due to be announced when Chancellor John Healey delivers his first budget in the autumn.
Mayor Helen Godwin said:
“More powers and more funding is brilliant news for people across our region. Westminster giving more control to the West of England will enable me to invest more in what matters most to us.
“The devolution revolution can help turbo-charge the West Country’s future: from creating more jobs and opportunities for local people to delivering better buses, more trains, and mass transit – which the Prime Minister showed strong support for last week during his visit to Bath.
“I’m proud that our part of the world has been home to the country’s fastest-growing regional economy for the last five years. That growth will soon be rewarded under these exciting plans. Keeping some of the income tax that our communities pay will let us take our future into our own hands.”
