A West of England Devolution deal that would see £1 billion of Government funding coming to the South West has hit a bump after North Somerset rejected the deal.

In an extraordinary meeting between North Somerset, Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol and South Gloucester Councils, North Somerset Councllors voted overwhelmingly against the deal, which would have seen the four local authorities come together under a Metro Mayor and receiving extra government funding.

North Somerset’s Councillors raised concerns that joining the deal would do little to benefit their area, fearing that the majority of the money would go to Bristol. They also raised the point that the Council already had a good relationship with B&NES, Bristol and South Gloucester, and that there was no need to change current arrangements.

The other authorities are now due to meet on 29th June to discuss the deal further. In particular, B&NES Council has made an interim decision to reopen negotiations with central government to remove the Mayoral aspect of the deal.