The new Labour West of England Mayor Helen Godwin has appointed the Liberal Democrat leader of Bath and North East Somerset Council as her first deputy mayor.

The position of West of England Deputy Mayor had not been used since 2021 but now will rotate annually between the leaders of the three councils which make up the West of England. Mr Guy said he was “honoured” to be asked to take up the role.

Ms Godwin was sworn in as the new West of England Mayor on Wednesday, May 7, after narrowly beating Reform UK’s Arron Banks in the election. Ms Godwin said: “I meant what I said during the election campaign. To get the best for all of us in the West Country, politicians must put politics to one side. That’s how we’ll lay the Bristol to Portishead Line, build new affordable homes, and help create the jobs of the future.

“Together, working with the Labour government, we will get things moving in the West of England. In that spirit of renewed collaboration, I’m delighted to appoint councillor Kevin Guy to serve as my first deputy mayor.

“I’m proud to be from and for our region so am working right away across party lines with Kevin, Tony, Maggie, and Ian. We all need to roll up our sleeves and pitch in. Our residents deserve nothing less, and that’s the only way that we will make things happen.”

Mr Guy congratulated Ms Godwin on her election victory. He said: “We now have an opportunity to create a collaborative working relationship across the region, ensuring we get at least our fair share of central government funding, and moving ahead with key projects.

“I am personally honoured to be asked to take on the role of deputy mayor of the authority and feel this is also a great thing for B&NES. I look forward to working together closely to deliver what our communities need.”

The West of England Combined Authority is made up of Bath and North East Somerset Council, Bristol City Council, and South Gloucestershire Council and the leader of each council, together with the mayor, make up its decision making committee.

The combined authority is responsible for improving transport across the region and attracting and delivering major investment.

The combined authority had previously been put on notice by the government over a number of issues including poor relationships between politicians while previous mayor Dan Norris — who was also Labour until his suspension from the party after his arrest in April — was in charge.

Green leader of Bristol City Council Tony Dyer said Ms Godwin was taking over at a “critical time” for the West of England Combined Authority. He said: “Working alongside Helen and my counterparts in the region’s other local authorities I hope to continue our efforts to bring these valuable working relationships closer for the benefit of all of us.”

Ms Godwin won the election with 51,197 votes (25%). Aaron Banks was in a close second place with 45,252 votes (22.1%).