Tim Davies, head of the Bristol office of Colliers International has welcomed the approval by three councils of a West of England devolution deal.
He said: “In the wake of the uncertainty following the result of the EU referendum, the decision to move forward with devolution is positive news for the economy of the wider Bristol region.
“We now have an historic opportunity to create a West of England Powerhouse that can generate the sort of business success that has already been experienced in Manchester following regional devolution in 2014.
“It will be essential to ensure that the correct political structure is in place, and it will be crucial that the single elected mayor of this ‘super council’ is a strong and experienced leader who is supported by all parties.
“Given that the former independent Mayor of Bristol, George Ferguson, has extensive political and business experience and did so much to bring about the West of England devolution deal during his time in charge of Bristol, it is arguable that he would be an ideal candidate for this lynchpin role.”
Mr Davies, whose office at Colliers International covers the South West of England and South Wales, added that it was unfortunate that North Somerset council has not joined with the Bristol and surrounding authorities of South Gloucestershire, and Bath and North East Somerset (BANES) in supporting the devolution deal, which will be worth up to £1 billion over 30 years.
“A West of England Mayoral Authority with a single elected mayor will ensure pro-active liaison on matters such as transport infrastructure, and will do much to underpin our already successful regional economy,” he said.
“It is a great shame that North Somerset – the location for Bristol International Airport – will not be part of this, and also will not benefit from the funding that has been offered by the Government as part of the deal, and which will now go to the three other councils that have decided to embrace it.
“In Bristol, we have already experienced the benefits of being led by an elected mayor, after it became the first English city outside London to elect a mayor in 2012. Although George Ferguson was not able to wield the level of power afforded to Boris Johnson in the capital, he played a vital role in supporting economic growth within the city and in the wider region.”
