Latest news with #WestofEnglandCombinedAuthority
South Wales Argus
23-05-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Tidal lagoon support from Cardiff Capital Region and WECA
A document calling for a tidal lagoon was published in March by the Severn Estuary Commission in a report that called for the UK and Welsh governments to support the project which would be smaller than a barrage spanning the Severn which it rejected. The Cardiff Capital Region, that represents the 10 local authorities in South East Wales, and the West of England Combined Authority will now work together on the proposal. The commission had been hosted by the Western Gateway Partnership, that brought together 28 councils from Pembrokeshire to Swindon and Salisbury with businesses, to work together on economic development but is formally disbanding in June. The partnership was first formed as a collaboration between Cardiff, Newport and Bristol councils in 2016 before expanding and receiving UK Government support from 2019. But the Labour government announced in its October budget it would withdraw core funding for what were known as pan regional partnerships and wanted the new system of elected mayors in England to take up their work instead. Monmouthshire County Council leader Mary Ann Brocklesby said the council wasn't directly involved in the partnership but represented through the Cardiff Capital Region that she chairs. She told councillors work with English councils on economic development, including the proposals put forward by the Severn Estuary Commission, will continue. She said: 'While the decision can be seen as disappointing it has not impacted the commitment of local authorities or other bodies on both sides of the border to continue to work together on projects that jointly benefit all our communities and businesses. 'Notably the recommendation of the Severn Estuary Commission, hosted by the Western Gateway Partnership, to harness the tidal power of the Severn will be taken forward jointly by the Cardiff Capital Region and the West of England Combined Authority.' She said a memorandum of understanding for a formal partnership between the West of England Combined Authority and the Cardiff Capital Region is being drafted and they share interests of improving transport links and exploring opportunities of 'green, sustainable growth.' Labour's Cllr Brocklesby said she has already written to Helen Godwin, who was elected as Labour's West of England mayor earlier this month, and is due to meet with her and also has a meeting planned with the UK Government's Welsh Secretary, Jo Stevens, as well as with the Welsh Government and meets with Monmouth Labour MP Catherine Fookes. She said the council works with both governments so Monmouthshire can benefit from their 'growth agendas' while she has also given evidence to a Westminster select committee. Conservative councillor for Llanfoist and Govilon Tomos Davies, who had asked for a statement on the UK Government's decision to withdraw the partnership's funding, asked if Cllr Brocklesby would 'use her position to hold her Labour UK Government colleagues to account and ensure its devolution and growth agenda benefits the whole of the UK and doesn't abruptly stop at the Severn Bridge.' He also wanted to know how Cllr Brocklesby would advocate for 'further and deeper cross-border economic partnerships.'
ITV News
14-05-2025
- Politics
- ITV News
New Labour West of England Mayor hails 'new chapter for the West' after 'challenging' legacy
Labour's new Mayor of the West of England has met staff at the combined authority and declared "a new chapter for the West", after a "challenging" period that saw the previous administration put into special measures. Helen Godwin beat Reform UK by almost 6,000 votes to hold onto the West of England Combined Authority, which was until recently under the control of now suspended Labour politician, Dan Norris. Ms Godwin promised staff that "her door is always open" and promised to be "visible and accessible". It's a move to distance herself from the previous mayor, who was accused in an independent report of not being present in the combined authority offices. Claims of being an 'absentee landlord mayor' - made by a local councillor - came alongside reports of political division with council leaders, which was seen to have an impact on effective decision-making. Ms Godwin is said to have "acknowledged recent challenging history" in the meeting on Wednesday, 14 May, and said she's had a "positive start with local council leaders in Bath & North East Somerset, Bristol, and South Gloucestershire." She talked about the need to get young people into tens of thousands of new jobs that hope to be coming to the WECA region as a result of investment at Bristol Temple Quarter and Brabazon. Perhaps in a message to the region's Green voters, the new Mayor also spoke of the need to deliver economic growth while preserving and restoring nature. "At the start of a new chapter for the West of England, I was delighted to meet with staff at the Mayoral Combined Authority this afternoon," Ms Godwin said. "Just over a week after taking office, and having met with government ministers, investors, and First Bus, I wanted to hear from officers and continue to hit the ground running. My door will always be open. "Working with local councils, it's time to show people across the West of England what we can really do – so that people in Bath & North East Somerset, Bristol, and South Gloucestershire, can see, feel, and trust the difference that we'll make together.' During the campaign period for May's local elections, Dan Norris was arrested on suspicion of child sex offences and rape. Norris, who is also the MP for North East Somerset and Hanham, was quickly suspended by the Labour Party and barred from the West of England Combined Authority offices.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
New Weca mayor takes office after election win
Helen Godwin won the election on May 1st with 25% of the vote [PA Media] The new mayor for the West of England Combined Authority (Weca) has been sworn in. Labour's Helen Godwin retained the seat for the party with 25% of the vote - Reform's Arron Banks came second with 22% and Mary Page of the Green Party came in third with approximately 20%. Ms Godwin has now been sworn in alongside the leaders of the councils that make up the authority - Bristol, Bathe and North East Somerset and South Gloucestershire. "It's quite surreal but we worked really hard to be here and I think we're going to get a lot done," she said. "I really want to deliver for people and we've campaigned really hard over the last six months and I've learned a lot about the region that I didn't know and I want to bring all that knowledge into the role," she added. ADVERTISEMENT Ms Godwin has announced that the position of deputy mayor will be a rotating one during her tenure. The Weca mayor is responsible for allocating funding to areas such as transport, housing and job opportunities. Transport in particular will be a key issue for the new mayor - with much of the region relying on buses to get around. Ongoing transport issues "All the way through the campaign we talked about buses and people spoke to me about buses," said Ms Godwin. "Whether they're in the centre of Bristol, the centre of Bath or the surrounding towns and villages - people are dissatisfied with the reliability and accessibility of the service. "My priority is to unpick all of that and figure out what we can deliver quickly and over the medium term so people feel the difference," she added. ADVERTISEMENT The new mayor will have to work with three councils to organise new transport routes - including Bristol where discussions around a mass transit system have been ongoing for years. "Transport and connectivity is a key challenge," said Green councillor Tony Dyer, leader of Bristol City Council. "It's kind of a chicken-and-egg situation that in order to get a better transport system we need to improve public transport, and at the same time we need to remove some of the space currently available for cars," he added. Ms Godwin takes over the position of Weca mayor from Dan Norris, who was arrested on suspicion of rape and child sex offences in April. Follow BBC Bristol on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. Related internet links Related Internet links
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Man questions rejection of bus pass as voter ID
A man has questioned why he was unable to vote in local elections after his bus pass was not accepted as a valid form of ID. Mike Frost from Bristol tried to use his West of England Combined Authority (WECA) bus pass to vote at St Martins Lane polling station, but was turned away. A total of 12 types of travel passes from around the UK are considered valid forms of ID, but the WECA pass is not among them. The Electoral Commission told the BBC polling station staff cannot allow people to vote if they carry a form of ID that has not been formally approved. Mr Frost had been trying to cast his vote in the WECA mayoral election on Thursday. He said the polling station "refused to let me vote, despite agreeing that, yes, I was who I said I was and that I had proved this". "This is absurd" he added. "This is petty bureaucracy gone mad. It is the rot of our democracy." In total, more than 20 types of document are accepted, including passports, driving licences, older or Disabled Person's bus passes, as well as Oyster 60+ cards. The WECA pass carries a photo of the user and permits them to use Bristol buses for free during the month of their birthday, but does not carry a date of birth. More news stories for Bristol Watch the latest Points West Listen to the latest news for Bristol The BBC approached the Electoral Commission, the independent body that oversees UK elections, about Mr Frost's concerns. Its response confirmed "the Elections Act 2022 specifies the types of documents that are accepted forms of ID". It added: "Under the legislation, polling station staff can not give voters a ballot paper unless they are able to show one of those forms. "The list has been passed by parliament and cannot be amended by the Commission." Follow BBC Bristol on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. Labour mayor 'thrilled' to win close Reform race Lib Dems win in Gloucestershire as Tories lose seats Liberal Democrats become biggest Wiltshire party The Electoral Commission
BBC News
01-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
West of England local election results
What is Weca and what does it do? , The Weca mayor is responsible for overseeing housing in Bristol, South Gloucestershire and Bath and North East Somerset Here is a quick look at what the West of England Combined Authority (Weca) is and what it's responsibilities are. Weca is made up of three different authorities: Bristol Bath & North East Somerset South Gloucestershire North Somerset is not currently part of Weca. The authority is tasked with improving public transport, training and job opportunities, and supporting businesses. It also oversees the region's housing plans. These responsibilities have been moved away from central government, who will provide £30m a year towards Weca. The authority is held by the Weca mayor - sometimes referred to as the Metro Mayor - and elections for the position are held every four years. The Weca mayoral role was created as part of a devolution deal giving more decision-making to English regions rather than focusing power in Westminster alone.
