Wessex Partnership calls for mayoral devolution by 2027

The Government has announced delays to the rollout of mayoral devolution in areas currently undergoing complex local government reorganisation.

In response, the Wessex Partnership – made up of Dorset, Somerset, Wiltshire and Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole (BCP) Councils – is urging ministers to allow Wessex to move forward and hold mayoral elections in 2027.

In a joint statement, council leaders Cllr Nick Ireland (Dorset), Cllr Bill Revans (Somerset), Cllr Ian Thorn (Wiltshire) and Cllr Millie Earl (BCP) said:

“The Devolution Priority Programme is being delayed in Greater Essex, Norfolk & Suffolk, Hampshire & the Solent and Sussex & Brighton to allow more time for Local Government Reorganisation.

"Our four authorities in the Wessex Partnership have already gone through Local Government Reorganisation. We are ready to go now.

"We call on the government to allow Wessex to take their place and hold mayoral elections in 2027, in line with mayoral elections for the other fully unitary areas of Cumbria and Cheshire & Warrington."

All councils in Wessex are already unitary authorities, having been through the LGR process so are well-placed to deliver devolution and support the Government’s growth priorities.

In July, Wessex leaders confirmed their commitment to joint projects including:

• A regional growth plan

• Infrastructure investment proposals

• A Wessex Local Nature Recovery Strategy

The English Devolution White Paper set out plans for enhanced funding tied to mayoral devolution. With nearly 80% of England expected to be covered by Mayoral Strategic Authorities, Wessex risks being left behind.

All four councils have undertaken analysis of the opportunity cost of Wessex being excluded from a mayoral deal to date and estimate a funding shortfall of £300.74 million in 2025/26, the equivalent of £159.29 per Wessex resident, compared to the established Mayoral Strategic Authorities.

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund support ends in March 2026, and the Chancellor's recent Budget announced no new growth funding for non-mayoral areas.

Creating a Mayoral Strategic Authority for Wessex would:

• Close this funding gap
• Unlock an estimated £16 billion in additional GVA over 30 years
• Attract public and private investment in key sectors where Wessex leads nationally: defence, clean energy, digital technologies and life sciences.