Leaders from Wiltshire, Somerset, Dorset and BCP Councils with Baroness Taylor during her visit. Picture: Somerset Council

Benefits of devolution for Wessex promoted during ministerial visit

Paul JonesJune 24, 20250 Comment0

PLANS for devolution in Wessex – including Somerset – were on the agenda during a visit from a government minister.

The Wessex Partnership – made up of Somerset, Dorset, Wiltshire and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) councils – hopes to secure added powers from central government in a bid to boost the region.

Having failed to be selected for the first round of devolution, the group is lobbying to become a Mayoral Strategic Authority by 2027.

And representatives welcomed Baroness Taylor from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) for a ministerial visit focused on the area’s “ambitious devolution plans and its drive for economic growth”.

Baroness Taylor met leaders from the four unitary councils to discuss progress and future opportunities.

In a joint statement, the leaders of BCP, Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire Councils – Cllr Millie Earl, Cllr Nick Ireland, Cllr Bill Revans, and Cllr Ian Thorn – said: “We were delighted to welcome Baroness Taylor to share the progress we’ve made as a partnership and demonstrate to Government everything the Wessex region has to offer.

“The councils across Wessex are already unitary councils so we were keen to show how well-placed we are to support devolution and the Government’s growth priorities.

“We are working closely together to enhance collaboration, deliver sustainable growth, and demonstrate our commitment to a strong, locally-led devolution deal.

“As a partnership we are a national leader in key sectors including defence, clean energy, digital technologies and life sciences. We remain confident that devolution will unlock new opportunities for investment and innovation, and we are keen to move forward with a mayoral model that reflects the ambition of our councils and attracts public and private sector investment.”

Baroness Taylor said: “It was a pleasure to be here in Wessex and hear about the area’s ambitions for devolution and driving regional growth.

“This government’s intention is to extend devolution to all corners of England as soon as possible. While the timings and process for future devolution beyond the priority programme will be subject to further ministerial decisions, we will always listen to areas’ aims as we look to move our ambitious devolution agenda forward.”

The visit included briefings on regional initiatives, a visit to Porton Science Park, alongside the opening of the Future High Street Fund Station Forecourt scheme at Salisbury Railway Station.