Business leaders have welcomed the £1bn West of England devolution deal approved by councillors this week, calling it a “strong signal of long-term confidence and investment into this area”.
Bristol City and South Gloucestershire councils along with Bath & North East Somerset (B&NES) agreed the package, which transfers funding and powers from Westminster in key areas for the economy such as transport, skills, employment and housing. 
The deal is estimated to be worth more than £1,000 for each person in the area.
Chief executive of Bristol Chamber & Initiative at Business West James Durie, pictured, said: “It’s the best deal of any agreed across the country and will bring new powers and new money down from Whitehall and put it into the hands of our local decision makers at a time when public expenditure is only reducing.
“We may be a successful growth area but we face significant challenges. This deal will give this area the chance to put investment into much needed transport, housing, skills and much more. Moving ahead with this deal also gives this area a priority status with government and the chance to go back and push for more powers and funding.”
Mr Durie, who is also board member of the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), said the business community had backed the deal from the start and believed it would strengthen the area for the long term and benefit everyone who lives and works here.
“Whatever the current uncertainties, this deal now going ahead sends out a strong signal of long term confidence and investment into this area, and it comes at a time when positive signals and action are much needed,” he said.
The fourth local authority making up the West of England area, North Somerset, had already decided not to be a part of the devolution deal. 
However, Mr Durie said there still needed to be continued strong working across all four councils to take forward the required economic, strategic and transport plans to 2036.
LEP chair Stephen Robertson, pictured, welcomed the “foresight and courage” of the councils, calling their decision “a tremendous step forward for business and residents”.
“The deal will build on the successful joint working arrangements in place, be a real catalyst for sustainable, long-term growth and ensure the West of England can reach its full potential as the most productive economy outside London and a great place to live and work,” he said.
Public consultation on a new West of England combined authority led by an elected ‘metro’ mayor – will now be launched. 
This proposed authority would oversee the new funding and powers devolved from Government with the West of England Mayor working alongside the Mayor of Bristol and leaders of South Gloucestershire and B&NES councils.
Mayor of Bristol Marvin Rees, pictured, said: “This is the right decision. Now more than ever our region needs to be in charge of its own destiny.
“This deal brings decision-making powers, on issues that were previously held in Westminster, closer to local communities here in Bristol.
“It brings us closer to a second or third deal too – ones where we can negotiate more ambitious terms that meet even more of Bristol’s needs.
“And it comes at no direct cost to local taxpayers, as I’m pleased to say plans for a potential council tax precept for residents in the West of England have been dropped.
“It’s important to make clear that this deal does not mean the merger of any councils. It is purely about handing funding and powers down from Government, not up from the council.
The public consultation will run between July 4 and August 15. The results then go back to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government who will take account of the outcome when deciding whether the West England devolution deal should go ahead.
Bristol Council’s cabinet will then take a final decision in October on whether to consent to the Parliamentary order putting the devolution deal in place.
