A bitter row dominated the council meeting on September 16 where councillors voted to begin developing and consulting on a proposal for joining WECA. Council leader Mike Bell (Weston-super-Mare Central, Liberal Democrat) told councillors: “Devolution, whatever our views about it might be, is clearly the policy priority of both this government and the previous government. Despite the concerns, a significant majority of councillors voted to begin the process to join WECA, with only eight councillors voting against. The process will see an eight week consultation across North Somerset and the current members of WECA, another vote of North Somerset Council, and Parliamentary approval before the council can become a member. Thomas Daw (Winford, Green), 22, told councillors: “Bad experiences from a long time ago doesn’t mean you can’t try something new.