WEST Somerset and Exmoor could in future be ruled by a directly elected mayor sitting in Bournemouth or Chippenham if the near-bankrupt Somerset Council has its way.

The authority wants to see the creation of a Mayoral Strategic Authority for Wessex which would bring together Somerset with Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council, Dorset Council, and Wiltshire Council.

It would involve electing a single mayor for the four councils to control as much as £460 million of annual funding devolved by the Government to the new region.

Supporters of the initiative have been buoyed, first by Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s support last week, and now by Chancellor John Healey in Wednesday’s (October 28) Budget.

Somerset leader Cllr Bill Revans said in a joint statement with the leaders of the other three authorities: “We warmly welcome the Chancellor’s commitment to support devolution for Wessex in the Autumn Budget Statement.

“This is a significant vote of confidence in our region and recognition that decisions affecting local people are best made closer to the communities they serve.

“We have consistently made a strong case for devolution in Wessex because we believe local people, businesses, and communities are best placed to shape the future of our region.

“For residents, it means greater local control over decisions affecting transport, housing, skills, regeneration, and economic growth, enabling new, significant funding and investment to be directed toward the priorities that matter most to our communities.

“Devolution has the potential to help create better-paid jobs, support our town centres and high streets, improve access to skills and training, and strengthen transport connections.

“Above all, it is about ensuring that decisions affecting the future of Wessex are shaped here.”

The consortium of local authorities believes devolution would generate £16 billion in additional economic output over 30 years.