Latest news with #TimBowles
BBC News
29-04-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
West of England mayoral candidates to take part in debate
How much do people know about Weca? Weca was created in 2017 when the government wanted to give more power to the region. But do people know what Weca is? Well it was a problem for Boris Johnson in 2021 when he couldn't name the Conservative Weca Mayor Tim Bowles. In fact, someone on a Radio Bristol phone-in even called him Tim Voles. Reporter Claire Cavanagh asked some local people if they knew what Weca was - and several people said they didn't know what the organisation does.
Yahoo
30-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
WECA mayoral elections: what you need to know
Voters will be able to pick their next leader for regional authority that controls everything from transport to housing. On 1 May, people will go to the polling stations to select the new mayor of the West of England Combined Authority (WECA). Since 2017, two people have held the post - Conservative Tim Bowles and Labour's Dan Norris, who is also now the MP for Hanham and North East Somerset. Under new rules, introduced by his party, Mr Norris was not allowed to keep his second job and therefore cannot stand again. The role was created as part of a devolution deal giving more decision-making to the regions rather than focusing power in Westminster alone. WECA takes in the local authority areas of Bristol, Bath & North East Somerset (BANES) and South Gloucestershire and it is tasked with improving public transport, training and job opportunities, and supporting businesses. It also oversees the region's housing plans. You can vote if you meet the following criteria and are already on the electoral register: you live in Bristol, South Gloucestershire or Bath and North East Somerset you are over the age of 18 on the day of the election The deadlines to register to vote and to apply for a postal or proxy vote have passed. The candidates who have so far declared they are standing in the election, in alphabetical order: Helen Godwin, Labour Oli Henman, Liberal Democrat Mary Page, Green Party Ian Scott, Independent Steve Smith, Conservative and Unionist Party Arron Banks, Reform There is a deadline of Wednesday for other nominations, before the election on 1 May. WECA's most recent administration, led by Dan Norris, was controversial at times, with leaders of councils sometimes refusing to take part in meetings amid accusations of a "toxic culture". Mr Norris denied the claims and said he was "strong and assertive" where he needed to be. The authority was put into special measures between March 2024 to February 2025 after an auditor's report criticised in-fighting among local leaders and senior officers. The next mayor will have a range of challenges to address including tackling late-running buses and boosting jobs in the region. And since the beginning of WECA, there has been a problem with identity and voters understanding why there is more than one layer of local government. It is maybe a little less complex now Bristol no longer has an elected mayor, but even so – it is not always clear to voters. It was a problem for the former prime minister Boris Johnson on a visit to the west of England in 2021, when he couldn't name the then West of England Mayor Tim Bowles. Follow BBC Bristol on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.
