Regional authority continues to move forward

An independent panel has recognised continued organisational improvement at the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority and, following a Local Government Association (LGA) review which praises recent progress, completed its work.

The Independent Improvement Panel (IIP) was established after the government issued a Best Value Notice (BVN) in March 2024. After the BVN was not renewed earlier this year, the IIP has today decided to stand down following a six-month period of transitional support.

A team of LGA peers, including cross-party council leaders and past and present chief executives from around the country, visited the combined authority in September to conduct a panel review. They concluded that “the IIP should be stepped down, so that the organisation can continue its improvement journey independently” and “maximise its potential”. The inspectors’ report highlights that “the new mayor has had a significant and positive impact on both internal culture and external relationships, fostering a more open and cooperative environment”, with “growing trust and confidence” to collectively take decisions – strengthened by the rotating appointment of council leaders as deputy mayor.

The panel found “clear and shared commitment” from all local councils “across political and operational boundaries” to “ensure a successful combined authority that operates for residents and communities across the region”. The LGA review singles out the new regional Growth Strategy as an example of positive “levels of engagement and co-design” which align “the strategic priorities of the constituent councils with those of the combined authority” and found a “real palpable sense of optimism” across local councils.

Helen Godwin, Mayor of the West of England, said:

“In this new chapter for the West of England, we have turned the page on the problems of the past. With council leaders taking on enhanced regional roles as we develop genuine partnership, we can secure more investment, get our region moving, and make a real difference that communities can see and feel.

“It’s vital that we catch up with other city-regions – and I’m grateful to Carolyn, the independent panel, and officers for all their work enabling us to chart that course. The findings of the LGA’s review will help guide our area to secure the greater powers and funding already devolved to places like West Yorkshire and the West Midlands, to be able to deliver more for people across the West.”

Carolyn Downs, Chair of the Independent Improvement Panel, said:

“The Independent Improvement Panel has been pleased to work with everyone who has engaged with this process over the last eighteen months or so, and I want to thank my fellow panel members for all their contributions. Across purpose and strategy; workforce and culture; and governance and structures; we have been glad to provide expertise and advice and, as a result, see much-needed changes in response to the 2024 Best Value Notice.

“Like the national government and the Local Government Association, we welcome the extent and speed of improvements under the new mayor working with the leaders of the constituent councils. That means that we can now have the confidence to leave the combined authority to continue its organisational journey independently. We are excited to see what the future holds for the West of England as a result.”

Councillor Kevin Guy, Deputy Mayor and Leader of Bath & North East Somerset Council, said:

“We all want to see continued sustainable growth across the West and we need greater powers to unlock the potential in our region. So I am pleased the panel has recognised the positive collaborative work that is going full steam ahead to achieve this.”

Councillor Tony Dyer, Leader of Bristol City Council, said:

“We welcome the findings of the review and the government's confidence in the approach we are taking to establish successful partnerships.

“We have a duty and have made a commitment to work together for the people of our region and deliver an effective and influential combined authority.

“I look forward to continuing to work with Helen and my fellow council leaders to achieve our shared ambitions for the West of England.”

Councillor Maggie Tyrrell, Leader of South Gloucestershire Council, said:

“I’d like to thank the Independent Improvement Panel for their work over the past year - the MCA has undoubtedly evolved significantly over this time. The organisation is on an improvement journey and maintaining momentum will now be essential.  It will be important to ensure that the ‘MCA Partnership’ (i.e. the MCA and the constituent councils) now continue this improvement journey together, to deliver our strategic priorities; building on this renewed sense that together more can be achieved for the region.”

Stephen Peacock, Chief Executive of the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority, said:

“We want to thank the Independent Improvement Panel for more than a year of support and guidance to get the combined authority to where people need it to be, with better relationships with council officers and leaders. This report is testament to their efforts and those of officers at the regional authority.

“As we continue our organisational improvement journey, the Local Government Association report endorses the government’s findings; we are in a much stronger place than previously and can support the Mayor and Committee’s ambitions for the region.”

At last week’s meeting of the Mayor and council leaders, a series of recommendations were approved to continue the evolution of the regional authority as it works towards securing Established Strategic Authority status, with more powers and greater financial flexibility to invest in what the West needs. Current timescales suggest that the West of England would be able to apply for that enhanced status from September 2026. The Organisational Improvement Plan and target operating model are “essential” for “maintaining momentum” according to the LGA report, with the first review of the authority’s constitution since its establishment in 2017 also set to take place.

The LGA report, including next steps, can be found here.