Business leaders have called on councillors to back the £1bn devolution package for the West of England when it goes before Bristol City and South Gloucestershire council meetings this evening.
The deal, announced by Chancellor George Osborne in this year’s Budget, would bring essential funding and additional powers for key areas such as transport, housing, employment and skills. 
Business leaders in Bristol, along with those in Bath, believe transferring such powers from London would greatly benefit the area – particularly when businesses are anxious over the impact of last week’s Brexit decision.
While far weaker than the devolution deal struck by the so-called Northern Powerhouse around Manchester, West business figures nevertheless see it as essential if the area is to continue as one of the few high-growth parts of the UK.
One potential sticking point is the fact that the Government insists the area has an elected ‘metro’ mayor to oversee the implementation of the deal. Some critics fear this would be a near-return to the old days of Avon County Council.
But Business West – the organisation behind Bristol Chamber of Commerce and the Bristol Initiative – called on councillors to “show strong collective leadership” and press ahead with the deal.
As well as Bristol City and South Gloucestershire, Bath & North East Somerset Council is also meeting this evening to discuss the deal. The West’s other local authority, North Somerset, has rejected it.
Bristol Chamber & Initiative chief executive James Durie, pictured, who is also a board member of West of England Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), said: “Our councils have, within their grasp, a very important opportunity and decision to make.
“The business community I serve believes it will strengthen this area for the long term and will benefit everyone who lives and works here. It will also send out a very strong signal of long-term confidence for this area at a time when positive action is much needed.
“The deal provides more funding than any other deal has achieved across the country. It will put important new powers and monies into the hands of local decision-makers and give this area the ability to take forward investment support on transport, housing, skills and much more beyond.
“Whatever the outcome of last Friday, we are a growth area and a fantastic place to live and work but we need to be able to address together all the challenges this brings for the benefit of everyone.
“Just like business, we will need to get on and make decisions. We simply cannot afford to stand still on this.
“The business community has worked closely with the councils to help secure a good deal for this area. I now hope that the councillors will agree to move forward and make this decision, which is within their grasp, whilst it is on the table. Let’s not miss out.”
Mayor of Bristol Marvin Rees said: “The deal would unlock £1bn worth of additional investment in the West of England and bring more local decision making to areas such as transport, housing and skills. We have negotiated the best available deal from Government; it is now over to councillors to have their say.
“Councillors will be considering all aspects of the deal before making an informed choice about what the council thinks is the best course of action for the people of Bristol.”
South Gloucestershire Council leader Matthew Riddle added: “This will benefit South Gloucestershire as these issues are bigger than any single local authority boundary, but joint decisions will reflect local priorities.”
If all three councils agree to support the deal, the next stage will be for local people to make their views known to the Communities Secretary in a public consultation during July and August.
The Government will take the final decision in October. The election for a West of England Mayor would then take place in May next year.
Bristol’s cabinet meets at 4pm today before an extraordinary full council at 6.30pm. South Gloucestershire Council’s meeting starts at 7pm.
South Gloucestershire Council’s meeting on June 29 starts at 7pm
