Mayor of the West of England
The mayor of the West of England is Dan Norris, who was elected in May 2021.

Who is the mayor of the West of England?
The mayor of the West of England is Dan Norris, who represents the Labour Party. He leads the West of England Combined Authority (WECA), which controls a £119m revenue budget and an estimated £83m capital budget for the 2024/25 financial year. 69 West of England Combined Authority, ‘Mayoral and Combined Authority Budget 2024/25 and Medium-Term Financial Strategy’, 26 January 2024, retrieved 20 November 2024, https://westofengland-ca.moderngov.co.uk/documents/s7728/Item%2016%20-%20Budget%20and%20Financial%20Strategy.pdf.
Norris was elected as mayor in May 2021. Under the supplementary vote system, which was used for mayoral elections at the time, he received 33.4% of first preference votes and 59.5% of votes in the second round, after first preference votes had been reallocated from unsuccessful candidates.

Norris is the second mayor of the West of England, having replaced Tim Bowles who held the post from 2017 to 2021.
Norris has also been the MP for North East Somerset and Hanham since July 2024. 70 UK Parliament, ‘Dan Norris’, UK Parliament, (no date) retrieved 2 October 2024, https://members.parliament.uk/member/221/contact
Of the three local areas covered by WECA, Norris received his highest share of first preference votes in Bristol, where he won 36.6%. His lowest share of first preference votes was 28% in South Gloucestershire.
The turnout across the region was 36.6%, higher than the 2017 election where turnout was 29.7%. 71 West of England Combined Authority, ‘Election 2021 verification results’, West of England Combined Authority, (no date) retrieved 1 October 2024, www.westofengland-ca.gov.uk/about-us/democracy-funding-transparency/election-2021-verification-results/ Turnout was higher in Bristol (40.8%) than South Gloucestershire (31.5%) and Bath and North East Somerset (34.4%). 72 West of England Combined Authority, ‘Election 2021 verification results’, West of England Combined Authority, (no date) retrieved 1 October 2024, www.westofengland-ca.gov.uk/about-us/democracy-funding-transparency/election-2021-verification-results/
Who are the candidates in the 2025 West of England mayoral election?
The next mayoral election will take place in May 2025. This will be the first WECA mayoral election to use the first past the post system, following the Elections Act 2022.
Norris has confirmed that he will not be standing for re-election. 86 McDaid L, ‘Dan Norris: “I will not be able to stand as West metro mayor next year”’, ITV News, 23 September 2024, retrieved 25 September 2024, www.itv.com/news/westcountry/2024-09-23/metro-mayor-dan-norris-not-able-to-stand-next-year
As of January 2025, the Conservative, Labour, Liberal Democrat and Green parties have selected their candidates to run for the West of England mayoral position.
The Conservative candidate is Steve Smith, who was a Bristol City councillor from 2018–24 and lord mayor of Bristol from 2021–22. 87 Postans A, ‘Conservatives name ex-Bristol city councillor as West of England metro mayor candidate’, Bristol Post, 11 November 2024, retrieved 9 December 2024, www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/conservatives-name-ex-bristol-city-9704104 The Liberal Democrat candidate is Oli Henman, who is a councillor in Bath and North East Somerset. 88 Bristol Liberal Democrats, ‘Oli Henman Announced as Lib Dem Candidate for Regional Mayor’, Bristol Liberal Democrats, 21 January 2025, retrieved 24 January 2025, www.bristollibdems.org/news/article/oli-henman-announced-as-lib-dem-candidate-for-regional-mayor Helen Godwin is the Labour candidate and was a Bristol City councillor from 2016–21. 89 Booth M, ‘Helen Godwin is Labour’s metro mayor candidate for 2025 election’, Bristol 24/7, 21 November 2024, retrieved 9 December 2024, www.bristol247.com/news-and-features/news/helen-godwin-labour-metro-mayor-candidate-2025-election The Green Party’s candidate is Mary Page, who stood in the Bristol North West constituency in the July 2024 general election. 90 Cork T, ‘Greens change Metro Mayor candidate ahead of election’, Bristol Post, 9 January 2025, retrieved 27 January 2025, www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/greens-change-metro-mayor-candidate-9850832
Ian Scott is standing as an independent candidate. He is a South Gloucestershire councillor and represented Labour until January 2025. 91 Postans A, ‘Labour expels South Gloucestershire councillor for announcing bid to stand as independent WECA mayor’, Gloucestershire Live, 31 January 2025, retrieved 3 February 2025, www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/news/regional-news/labour-expels-south-gloucestershire-councillor-9907470
What is the history of devolution to WECA?
Between 1974 and 1996, the city of Bristol, South Gloucestershire, Bath and North East Somerset, and North Somerset were part of Avon Non-Metropolitan County Council. Avon was abolished in 1996, and was replaced by the four unitary authorities.
In 2012 the West of England, consisting of these four authorities, as well as the West of England local enterprise partnership (LEP), signed a ‘city deal’ for the Bristol City Region with central government, which aimed to unlock significant growth for the region. 92 Cabinet Office and Deputy Prime Minister’s Office, ‘Bristol City Region City Deal’, 5 July 2012, retrieved 21 November 2024, https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/406209/Bristol-and-West-of-England-City-Deal-FINAL.pdf
In the 2016 March budget, the government announced its intention to sign a mayoral devolution deal with the four authorities. Devolution to the area was locally contentious, with accusations of ‘[re]introducing Avon by the back door’ 93 ITV News, ‘Avon County Council will not be re-introduced says Local Government Secretary’, ITV News, 14 December 2025, retrieved 24 July 2024, www.itv.com/news/westcountry/update/2015-12-14/avon-county-council-will-not-be-re-introduced-says-local-government-secretary/. and fears of a potential ‘Bristol monopoly’ over the area. 94 BBC News, 'Rees-Mogg in 'Avon' fear over West mayor plans’, BBC News, 17 March 2016, retrieved 24 July 2024, www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-35830181. In June, North Somerset voted not to accept the deal stating that it “was not attractive enough.” 95 BBC News, ‘North Somerset Council vote against West 'Metro Mayor' plan’, BBC News, 8 June 2016, retrieved 24 July 2024, www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-36478350.
Bristol, South Gloucestershire, and Bath and North East Somerset voted to proceed with the West of England devolution deal, with the combined authority being established between these three local authorities in February 2017. 96 Bristol City Council, ‘Devolution and The West of England Combined Authority’, Bristol City Council, (no date), retrieved 24 July 2024, www.bristol.gov.uk/council/policies-plans-and-strategies/devolution-and-weca. The first mayoral election took place on 4 May 2017.
In September 2024, North Somerset Council expressed interest to the government in joining WECA. 97 BBC News, ‘Council could finally join combined authority’, BBC News, 20 September 2024, retrieved 20 November 2024, https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvgw4rpq45yo. This was in response to a letter from Angela Rayner, deputy prime minister and secretary of state for housing, communities and local government, in which she invited proposals for new devolution agreements. 98 Deputy Prime Minister, Letter from the Deputy Prime Minister to local leaders: the next steps to devolution, MHCLG, 16 July 2024, retrieved 20 November 2024, www.gov.uk/government/publications/letter-from-the-deputy-prime-minister-to-local-leaders-the-next-steps-to-devolution/letter-from-the-deputy-prime-m….
What is the West of England Combined Authority?
The West of England Combined Authority (WECA) is a legal body established by parliament in 2017. It brings together three local authorities: Bath and North East Somerset Council, Bristol City Council and South Gloucestershire Council.
The combined authority is formed of one representative from each of the three constituent local authorities and the directly elected mayor who chairs the authority. The chair of the local enterprise partnership also attends meetings but has no voting rights. 111 West of England Combined Authority, ‘West of England Combined Authority Committee’, West of England Combined Authority, (no date) retrieved 1 October 2024, www.westofengland-ca.gov.uk/about-us/west-of-england-combined-authority-committee
The Liberal Democrats currently have majority control of Bath and North East Somerset Council. Since May 2023, South Gloucestershire Council has been under no overall control and run by a Liberal Democrat and Labour coalition. Bristol City Council is Green-led but under no overall control.
The WECA region had a population of 950,000 and an annual gross value added (GVA) of £34.1bn in 2021. 112 West of England Combined Authority, ‘Evaluation of the West of England Investment Fund’, West of England Combined Authority, 21 July 2023, retrieved 3 October 2024, www.westofengland-ca.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/WECA-LEF.pdf, p. 3
Although North Somerset Council is not part of the combined authority, its leader is a member of the West of England Joint Committee, along with the mayor and leaders of the three WECA constituent councils. The Joint Committee deals with matters across the four local authorities. For example, it prepares and adopts the Joint Transport Plan and Joint Spatial Plan. 113 West of England Combined Authority, ‘West of England Combined Authority Constitution’, 17 March 2023, retrieved 20 November 2024, www.westofengland-ca.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Constitution-Amended-April-2023-1.pdf, p. 7
WECA has experienced governance challenges over recent years. 114 Postans A and Bullock C, ‘Weca placed on alert over “strained relationships”, BBC News, 6 March 2023, retrieved 21 November 2024, www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-64860739 An external audit report in November 2022 found “significant weaknesses” in the combined authority’s governance arrangements and ability to deliver value for money. 115 Grant Thornton, ‘West of England Combined Authority: VfM Report on Governance’, November 2022, retrieved 28 November 2024, https://westofengland-ca.moderngov.co.uk/documents/g550/Public%20reports%20pack%2017th-Nov-2022%2010.30%20West%20of%20England%20Combined%20Authority%…, pp. 23-88 The government issued WECA with a 12 month best value notice in March 2024 – a formal notification of concern that the combined authority is not complying with its duties under the Local Government Act 1999. 116 Soule M, Letter to Richard Ennis: West of England Combined Authority Best Value Notice issued on 5 March 2024, 5 March 2024, retrieved 21 November 2024, https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/65e6ec747bc329020bb8c271/Best_Value_Notice_for_WECA.pdf This outlined areas for improvement, including resetting working relationships between the mayor and local authority representatives, reviewing WECA’s constitution, and agreeing strategic priorities for the region.
What are the powers of the West of England mayor and combined authority?
The mayor and combined authority hold devolved powers over transport, skills, economic development and planning.
WECA controls an investment fund, with the government allocating £30m per year over 30 years. 117 HM Treasury, ‘West of England devolution agreement’, HM Treasury, 16 March 2016, retrieved 1 October 2024, www.gov.uk/government/publications/west-of-england-devolution-deal The mayor has the power to charge a business rates supplement to fund infrastructure.
The combined authority has the role of local transport authority for the WECA region. 118 Jackson B, ‘To note draft terms of reference for development of a bus strategy and key route network’, West of England Combined Authority, 28 June 2017, retrieved 1 October 2024, www.westofengland-ca.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Item-13-ToR-for-Development-of-a-Bus-Strategy-and-Key-Route-Network.pdf The mayor is responsible for a devolved transport budget, has the ability to franchise bus services and leads the development of the local transport plan.
WECA is responsible for the adult education budget and the Apprenticeship Grant for Employers. In November 2024, it was announced in the ‘Get Britain Working’ white paper that WECA would become one of eight ‘youth guarantee trailblazer’ 119 Department for Work and Pensions ‘Biggest employment reforms in a generation unveiled to Get Britain Working again’ press release, 26 November 2024, www.gov.uk/government/news/biggest-employment-reforms-in-a-generation-unveiled-to-get-britain-working-again areas. From spring 2025, the combined authority will receive a share of £45m to work with local partners to provide tailored employment support and access to education and training opportunities for 18–21 year-olds. 120 HM Government, Get Britain Working, CP 1191, The Stationery Office, November 2024, https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67448dd1ece939d55ce92fee/get-britain-working-white-paper.pdf It was also announced that WECA is the accountable body for the new ‘Connect to Work’ supported employment programme. 121 Department for Work and Pensions, “Connect to Work: Grant Guidance for England”, Department for Work and Pensions, 26 November 2024, retrieved 9 December 2024, www.gov.uk/government/publications/connect-to-work/connect-to-work-grant-guidance-for-england#annex-d--proposed-geographies
The mayor of the West of England does not have strong personal executive powers. Current mayor Dan Norris has been critical of the fact that several of his mayoral powers are subject to a unanimous combined authority board vote, 122 Norris D, ‘”Smart devolution” holds the key to “levelling up”’, in Atherton G and Le Chevallier M eds, How Can Labour Level Up?, July 2023, retrieved 21 November 2024, www.uwl.ac.uk/sites/uwl/files/2023-07/SBT2533%20University%20of%20West%20London%20-%20How%20can%20Labour%20Level%20Up%20Report%20v4%20WEB.pdf and he is the only metro mayor who does not have the right to vote on the combined authority budget.
The mayor has the power to adopt a statutory spatial development strategy (SDS) - subject to unanimous combined authority vote - and to undertake land assembly and compulsory purchases. The mayor also has the ability to establish mayoral development corporations (MDCs) with the agreement of the leader of the council where the MDC would operate. In practice, neither of these powers – to establish an SDS or MDC – has been exercised.
How does WECA compare to the rest of the UK in terms of social and economic outcomes?
The WECA region performs better than the national average across many social and economic indicators, including gross median weekly pay, employment rates, digital connectivity and housing standards.
The West of England performs particularly well on adult skills. 70% of adults have a level three qualification or above, compared with 61% across the UK.
However, there is substantial variation between the region’s local authorities on some metrics. For example, South Gloucestershire exceeds the national average of productivity (gross value-added per hour worked) by 22%, but Bath and North East Somerset and Bristol fall 35% and 15% below it respectively.
Although in line with the national average of 28% overall, the use of public transport to commute also varies across the region. Public transport usage is highest in Bristol (35%) and lowest in South Gloucestershire (18%).
How does the WECA area overlap with other administrative boundaries?
The WECA area is not coterminous with a police force area. While Avon and Somerset Police covers all three councils, the police force geography extends beyond the combined authority area to North Somerset, as well as Somerset Council.
The West of England local enterprise partnership (LEP) also extends beyond the three councils to include North Somerset and reports to the West of England Joint Committee. The government’s core funding for LEPs ceased in April 2024, with the expectation that combined and upper tier local authorities would take on their functions. 126 Davison D and Hollinrake K, Letter to LEP Chairs, Combined Authority Mayors, Local Authority Leaders and the Mayor of London: Transfer of Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) Core Functions to Combined and Local Authorities, 4 August 2023, retrieved 21 November 2024, https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1176374/Transfer_of_LEP_core_functions_-_LEP_chairs_m…. As of July 2024, WECA was the only mayoral combined authority that had not set up a new business board to absorb LEP functions, due to the misalignment of the WECA and LEP geographies. 127 West of England Joint Committee, ‘LEP & IBB Outturn 2023/24’, 26 July 2024, retrieved 21 November 2024, https://westofengland-ca.moderngov.co.uk/documents/s8686/LEP%20Outturn%202023-24%20and%20Change%20Requests.pdf
There are two integrated care boards that overlap with the WECA area: NHS Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board and NHS Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board. WECA falls within the wider South West Department for Education region. 128 ‘Regional Director for South West: Lucy Livings’, (no date) retrieved 5 December 2024, www.gov.uk/government/people/lucy-livings
- Topic
- Devolution
- Keywords
- Local government Economy Transport Health
- Position
- Metro mayor
- Combined authorities
- West of England Combined Authority
- Publisher
- Institute for Government