Writing to the council earlier this year, the then Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution, Jim McMahon OBE MP, also concluded that WECA was the best partnership for North Somerset Council. Cllr Mike Bell, Leader of North Somerset Council, said: “The government is very clear that councils should work more closely together and form regional partnerships. “This is the right thing to do to unlock access to funding and partnership opportunities for North Somerset. “We must enter into this process with our eyes open and with a determination to get the best outcomes for North Somerset. Formal consent will then be required to the proposed legislation by North Somerset Council and WECA before the “laying of legislation” before Parliament, which confirms North Somerset Council’s future membership of WECA.