Heart of Wessex Devolution update from Wiltshire Council

I wanted to write to you to let you know that this week Wiltshire Council, along with Dorset and Somerset Councils, have amended our Expression of Interest (EoI) for the Heart of Wessex devolution deal. Government has made it clear that it intends all devolution deals to end up with Mayoral Combined Authorities and so we have amended our EoI to reflect this. We have written to the Deputy Prime Minister requesting that the Heart of Wessex be considered in the first tranche of devolution deals.

This isn’t a merger of the three councils, we will all remain separate local authorities. Devolution is an opportunity for us to unlock significant opportunities and funding for our communities through local empowerment and collaboration. Along with the Leaders of Dorset and Somerset I have issued a joint statement to the press and you can read a copy of this on our website.

An update paper will be going to Wiltshire Council Cabinet on 10 December and this will be published on 2 December.

I will continue to keep you updated and once an outline of proposals has been agreed with central government, we will be seeking feedback on the detail of any arrangements as part of a formal consultation with residents.

Very best wishes

Cllr Richard Clewer

Leader of Wiltshire Council