A £1billion deal which was rejected by North Somerset Council will go ahead without the authority after three other councils agreed to it this evening (Wednesday).
Bath and North East Somerset, South Gloucestershire and Bristol City Councils have all agreed to sign up to the Government’s deal for a West of England City Region.
The area will be run by a metro mayor, and have powers over transport, housing, adult education and infrastructure.
It will also receive £30million a year for 30 years.
Councillors said the deal was ‘imperfect’ and questioned whether it would be possible to renegotiate the metro mayor element.
But, unlike North Somerset Council which rejected the deal earlier this month, the other councils decided the benefits outweighed the problems they had with the mayor element.
North Somerset’s leader Nigel Ashton had spoken to other council leaders in the hope of encouraging them to try to renegotiate the deal.
But the councils have voted in favour of the plans this evening.
* Pick up a copy of the North Somerset Times for reaction to the deal.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here