WECA becomes WEMCA in December 2024 and ongoing political issues (updated title)

[whole diary]

[Red Squirrel]

It's interesting, this. At a previous Travelwatch meeting, someone from Cornwall (sorry, can't remember who) was expounding the benefits of the cooperative model they had evolved between the bus operators and Cornwall Council to set up Transport for Cornwall. Fast forward, and my son is seeing just how much fun it is when a bus operator suddenly ups sticks and leaves - the bus routes around Falmouth don't serve the Universities as well as they did before, the routes and numbers have changed, and timing points have appeared that refer to places that haven't existed for many years...

Cornwall, like WECA^» (West of England Mayoral Combined Authority - about), is considered too small to operate a bus franchise. Maybe there's a better way of organising things? When I was a boy, Bristol buses were jointly run by Bristol Omnibus Co and the City and County of Bristol. You could tell the ones that were owned by Bristol Joint Services by the 'C' prefix on the fleet number (LC^▸ (Level Crossing) if it had a lowbridge body, but I digress). If BJS with, as I remember it, just over 300 buses could be co-owned and run with the council, then couldn't the larger fleet running services in WECA be run in this way?

[Red Squirrel]

With apologies if this has been posted elsewhere, and I've missed it: it seems Gloucestershire is interested in joining WECA^» (West of England Mayoral Combined Authority - about):

Having considered all of the information, Cabinet noted the report and

RESOLVED to:

1) Approve the strategic case for joining West of England Combined Authority (WECA) as Gloucestershire’s preferred long-term strategic direction and submit a single-county Gloucestershire Foundation Strategic Authority (FSA) Expression of Interest (EOI) as a precursor to WECA membership.

Source: Gloucestershire County Council

[John D]

With apologies if this has been posted elsewhere, and I've missed it: it seems Gloucestershire is interested in joining WECA^» (West of England Mayoral Combined Authority - about):

Having considered all of the information, Cabinet noted the report and

RESOLVED to:

1) Approve the strategic case for joining West of England Combined Authority (WECA) as Gloucestershire’s preferred long-term strategic direction and submit a single-county Gloucestershire Foundation Strategic Authority (FSA) Expression of Interest (EOI) as a precursor to WECA membership.

Source: Gloucestershire County Council

Whilst Gloucestershire might have decided on a way forward, Wiltshire has got itself in a complete muddle on strategic plans.  Not directly related to WEMCA^» (West of England Mayoral Combined Authority - about) but Wiltshire councillors have directed their planning teams to try and get too few new homes etc.  Or put new town and expansion where there were no transport (and other) facilities.

Basically Planning Inspectorate have told Wiltshire to heavily amend proposed plan (which will take time, and need to incorporate the Angela Raynor increased housing target because effectively restarting with new targets, rather than in progress when new targets announced), or they abandon 8 years preparation.  Council will vote to choose which option in May at a full Council meeting.

https://www.localplanservices.co.uk/_files/ugd/017f5b_41ba1d6878834f45ad1450539c829d5c.pdf

So looks like Wiltshire might soon be rudderless when it comes to a strategic plan.

However with no suitable reversing points at WECA boundary, and trains having to continue into Wiltshire, will be interesting to see how this will progress, especially if leads to new developments not where they were expected, and thus transport flows changed.

[Red Squirrel]

I did think of adding something along the lines of 'your move, Wiltshire' at the end of that post... trouble is transport doesn't very neatly map on to county boundaries. West Wilts has strong links with BANES, but what about north-east Somerset?

[grahame]

I did think of adding something along the lines of 'your move, Wiltshire' at the end of that post... trouble is transport doesn't very neatly map on to county boundaries. West Wilts has strong links with BANES, but what about north-east Somerset?

Adding Wiltshire could, in parts, make sense.  The problem is described so eloquently by my telling you that "Devizes" means "at the dividing point" historically.

West Wiltshire look toward Bath and Bristol
South Wiltshire looks towards Southampton and the Solent
North East Wiltshire looks to and through Swindon to Oxford
East Wiltshire looks via Newbury to Reading and London
and then you have the bits close to Dorset, Somerset and Gloucestershire too.

[Chris from Nailsea]

From the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page):

Weca Mayor felt 'trapped and unsafe' amid Acorn confrontation

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Helen Godwin said "aggression is not activism"

A mayor says she felt "trapped" after reportedly being cornered by activists in a lift after a meeting.

Helen Godwin, mayor for the West of England Combined Authority (Weca), which covers Bristol, South Gloucestershire, and Bath and North East Somerset, said the incident occurred following a meeting in Bristol on Monday.

Members of the community union Acorn said she presented a "complete unwillingness to engage" when questioned on pledges she had previously agreed to.

In a statement, Godwin said: "Aggression is not activism, and tactics like this designed to intimidate politicians have no place in our society." Avon and Somerset Police said enquiries into the incident were ongoing.

Godwin said she prides herself on being "open and accessible" to the public and willing to answer questions, describing it as an "important part of our democracy".

"But today, as I tried to leave the room, a group of people ran after me - shouting," she continued. "A man followed me into a lift and refused to leave, despite being asked repeatedly. People, particularly women, will understand just how scary this was. I felt trapped and unsafe. The police had to be called, and they are now investigating."

Acorn said their members tried to confront Godwin as she left the meeting to discuss taking action on public control of buses, bailiff bullying, homelessness and housing.

They claim on 25 April last year, Labour South West's regional communications officer responded to an email asking if Godwin would agree to these pledges. The email from Godwin's office allegedly stated: "With regards to the pledges that you have sent over, you can mark Helen as a 'yes' for each one".

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Acorn accused Godwin of failing to follow through on pledges

The union said Godwin's "lack of follow-through on pledges" she made prior to the election "have let everyone down".

"As she left, Acorn members met her in the corridor outside and tried to ask questions, but were met with a complete unwillingness to engage," they said. "The claim that she was 'trapped' is particularly odd, given that it was her own security that blocked her exit rather than any members of Acorn. We just want a meeting, and it's very disappointing to see the mayor completely blow questions being asked out of proportion to avoid taking responsibility for promises she made," they added.

Tony Dyer, leader of Bristol City Council, described the incident as "deeply disturbing".

"Nobody has the right to impose their will on another person through physical, verbal or emotional intimidation," he said. "This is a fundamental principle of living in a democratic and free society, where people must be able to go about their work and daily lives without fear."

A spokesman for Avon and Somerset Police said officers had attended the Weca offices on Redcliff Street at about 10.30 GMT on Monday. "(We) received a report that an elected official was confronted by members of the public following a meeting," the spokesman said. "Enquiries into this incident are ongoing."

[Chris from Nailsea]

From the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page):

North Somerset Council step closer to joining combined authority

Councillors have voted to become part of a joint authority, which will manage decisions on issues such as transport and housing.

North Somerset Council hopes to become part of the West of England Combined Authority (Weca) by the end of the year, after voting through proposals on Tuesday. It will join the councils of Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol city and South Gloucestershire and will work with the directly elected mayor.

The leader of North Somerset Council, Mike Bell, said the decision was about "ensuring North Somerset's voice is heard clearly in regional discussions".

Councillors hope the membership will unlock more investment for the region and help it work on things like economic development and climate change.

Bell said it was an "important and carefully considered decision for councillors".

"By agreeing to progress with joining the West of England Combined Authority, we are taking a step towards gaining a stronger say over decisions that already affect our residents and businesses every day - particularly around transport, jobs, skills and economic growth," he added.

Labour's Helen Godwin, the mayor of Weca, said she was "pleased" with the outcome and they had "listened carefully" to the views expressed during a recent consultation. "It's clear that there is broad support for moving forward together as a complete region," she said. "With an even bigger voice on the national stage, we can continue making a difference that people can see and feel across the whole of the West of England," she added.

Godwin also highlighted work already taking place in Portishead to reopen the railway line there.

Weca, which manages regional planning, transport, housing and adult skills training, was formed by Bristol, South Gloucestershire, and Bath and North East Somerset councils in 2017. They, along with North Somerset, used to make up a single authority - the County of Avon, a controversial merger created in 1974. It was dissolved in 1996, creating four unitary authorities, three of which later decided to join together to create Weca.

North Somerset opted out, but a formal application to join was submitted last year. A public consultation on the plans was later opened, with more than half of those taking part saying they supported the idea.

Subject to approval by the secretary of state and legislation being passed, North Somerset could become a full member of Weca from late 2026 or early 2027.