KEY Somerset councillors have backed a big step forward in discussions over devolution following positive early talks with the Government.
Somerset County Council’s cabinet has signed up to the principle of creating a new ‘combined authority’ which would take responsibility for extra powers and budgets agreed in any devolution deal.
In February the county council and 22 other authorities across Somerset and Devon submitted proposals for more powers to be devolved to local level.
With its ‘Prospectus for Productivity’, the Heart of the South West (HotSW) devolution partnership believes it can deliver big benefits in sectors like skills, employment, housing and social care.
All the members of the partnership are now seeking formal agreement to the principle of a combined authority.