[The WECA Mayor and Council leaders]
Confirmation from the government that the West of England will join the top tier of mayoral authorities, which is set to unlock a new wave of powers and funding.
The home of the country’s fastest-growing regional economy will be granted Established Mayoral Strategic Authority (EMSA) status following an application from Mayor Helen Godwin supported by council leaders.
This enhanced level of devolution is already having a real impact in places like Greater Manchester and the West Midlands.
The move represents a major overhaul and recognises the West of England’s continued progress and enormous further potential to deliver more for local people. It means that the region is jointly at the front of the queue for further devolution, with greater local control over transport, skills, housing, investment, and public services on the way.
Under the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act (2026), Established Mayoral Strategic Authorities currently have access to a range of benefits that have not previously been available to the West of England.
These include multi-year, flexible funding; a reduction in competitive funding requirements, with direct allocations to invest; access to the full range of Devolution Framework powers and the ability to formally request any new devolved power from government.
The government’s vision for devolution, announced by the new Prime Minister on Friday, will see significant powers transferred from Westminster and Whitehall to mayoral authorities in the coming years. Further proposed reforms include:
- Regions getting a share of local income tax revenues from 2028, to help ensure that more of the benefits of economic growth are retained and reinvested in the West of England, supporting long-term planning and investment – along with the powers to introduce an Overnight Visitor Levy
- Regionally-funded transport projects worth up to £500 million no longer requiring government approval in most cases
- Faster powers to take greater control of buses, alongside integrated ticketing and more influence over local rail services
- More control over skills, employment support and vocational education to better match training with local opportunities – including a broader role over funding for 16-19 year olds
- Greater devolution of housing and regeneration funding to help deliver the homes and infrastructure the region needs, with further devolution of Homes England’s Social and Affordable Homes Programme
- New freedoms over investment and innovation funding, helping back the West of England’s globally significant growth sectors – driving our £17 billion Investment Prospectus – alongside greater control over cultural and sporting investment
- Closer alignment of public services, with police, fire and health boundaries expected to align more closely with mayoral authority areas, supporting joined-up services and preventative approaches
Helen Godwin, Mayor of the West of England, said:
“This is an important milestone for the West of England and further recognition that our region is ready for more powers and more responsibility.
“Becoming an Established Mayoral Strategic Authority puts the West of England in the top tier of devolution. It strengthens our voice nationally, gives us greater freedom to invest in our priorities and helps ensure more of the region’s success is felt by the people and places who create it.
“People rightly expect the decisions that affect their daily lives to be taken closer to home. Whether it’s improving buses and rail services, building more affordable homes, or helping people access better jobs and skills opportunities, we know our communities and are best-placed to deliver for them.
“This is another major step towards ensuring that more decisions, funding and accountability sit here in the West of England, where they belong.”
Councillor Kevin Guy, Leader of Bath & North East Somerset Council; Councillor Tony Dyer, Leader of Bristol City Council and Deputy Mayor of the West of England; Councillor Mike Bell, Leader of North Somerset Council; Councillor Maggie Tyrrell, Leader of South Gloucestershire Council; and Councillor Ian Boulton, Co-Leader of South Gloucestershire Council, said in a joint statement:
“We welcome the government’s decision to recognise the West of England as an Established Mayoral Strategic Authority and its commitment to further devolution.
“By bringing decisions closer to our communities, we can deliver better outcomes, make public investment go further, and build a stronger, more inclusive region for everyone.”
Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government Angela Rayner said:
“This is a huge moment to celebrate for the West of England as we push power out of Westminster and into the hands of those who know their areas best.”
“From Bath and Bristol to Yate and Clevedon, this will help deliver better housing, skills and jobs for local people across the region as we drive good growth in every postcode.”
Stephen Peacock, Chief Executive of the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority, said:
“Securing Established Mayoral Strategic Authority status is a huge achievement for the organisation. This historic change for the region reflects an enormous amount of hard work from our staff, council leaders, and the Mayor.
“Together we have earned the confidence of government and our partners. The West of England is now at the top table for the first time – ready to play a leading role in the next phase of devolution.”
The government is expected to publish further details later this year on the implementation timetable for new powers and funding arrangements, with devolution of additional responsibilities taking place over the coming years.
