The West of England Combined Authority Overview & Scrutiny Committee met on Monday 1 June 2026 to discuss the expansion of the Combined Authority, the establishment of a mayoral development zone for the Brabazon and West of England Innovation Arc, and the allocation of a £45 million Brownfield Housing Fund. The committee also reviewed the Hicks Gate master plan and discussed various ongoing projects and strategies.

Expansion of the West of England Combined Authority

The committee discussed the process for the expansion of the West of England Combined Authority, which follows a public consultation where over a thousand responses were received, with more than half in support of the expansion. The Devolution Act has altered the timetable for such decisions, bringing the current discussion forward. The proposal for expansion will be submitted to the government by the Mayor and the leader of North Somerset Council. While the exact timeline for North Somerset joining is dependent on government and parliament, it is anticipated to be achievable within the current calendar year or financial year. Concerns were raised about the pace of progress, with one councillor noting that discussions about expansion had been ongoing since 2021. There was a general sentiment that this expansion should not be seen as the end of the process, and minds should remain open to further growth.

Brabazon and West of England Innovation Arc, Newtown

The committee received an update on the Brabazon and West of England Innovation Arc, which is one of seven proposed locations for a new town and is undergoing a strategic environmental assessment by the government. A decision on its formal designation is expected later in the year. Significant work is underway with Homes England, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, and South Gloucestershire Council to prepare for the potential announcement. A key requirement for a new town is a separate delivery function, and steps are being taken towards establishing this. The committee was asked to approve the designation of the West of England Innovation Arc as a non-statutory mayoral development zone. This designation does not grant formal planning powers but aims to bring stakeholders together to focus discussions and establish a joint delivery team.

Concerns were raised by councillors representing areas within the proposed development, particularly regarding the impact on existing communities. Councillor Mark Weston highlighted that in his ward, which includes Henry Brentry and part of Southmead, residents felt they were being done to and not with, experiencing years of roadworks and parking issues without seeing tangible benefits. He stressed the need to ensure existing communities are brought along on this journey and feel the benefits. Councillor Edison echoed these concerns, particularly regarding transport infrastructure for the proposed 17,000-capacity arena and over 6,500 homes at Brabazon. He questioned the adequacy of proposed significant bus service improvements to manage the projected movement of 17,000 to 20,000 people, fearing gridlock if transport plans were insufficient. John Wilkinson, Director of Place at the Combined Authority, clarified that the housing and arena at Brabazon had already been consented by South Gloucestershire Council and that transport assessments had been conducted. He emphasised that the current proposal sought investment to go beyond the consented scheme, focusing on a transport-led regeneration programme.

Brownfield Housing Fund

The committee discussed the allocation of a new £45 million Brownfield Housing Fund from the government, aimed at unlocking stalled housing sites. The West of England Combined Authority (WECA) has been working with Homes England and unitary authorities to identify these sites and understand their viability constraints. The fund will be delivered through a priority programme, with potential direct delivery or via the Future Places Fund, which is being developed alongside pension investments. Concerns were raised by Councillor Toby Wells regarding the level of delegation for this fund at a stage where details were not fully fleshed out. He recommended accepting the funding from central government but deferring the decision on the second recommendation until a later report in the summer, arguing that this would not delay delivery. John Wilkinson noted that the strategic place partnership, which includes political representatives, would be the primary vehicle for governance. He also acknowledged that finance and legal teams had expressed uncertainty about the proposed use of the funding.

Hicks Gate Master Plan

The committee reviewed the Hicks Gate master plan, a non-statutory document aimed at maximising opportunities in the area which spans Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol, and South Gloucestershire. The plan seeks to maximise housing densities, protect the A4 corridor for mass transit, and ensure a joined-up approach to infrastructure such as schools. The plan is intended to support local authorities in determining planning applications and developing their local plans.

Councillors Jos Clark and Tristan Clark raised concerns about communication with local councillors affected by the master plan. Councillor Clark stated that councillors felt they were not being adequately consulted and that a joint communication approach would be beneficial. Councillor Gourley supported this, suggesting that consulting town and parish councillors, as well as ward councillors, would also be helpful. John Wilkinson acknowledged the concerns and committed to improving engagement with local councillors and officers. Councillor Clarke also highlighted the significance of the 2024 Greenbelt-Greybelt reforms and concerns about the watered-down understanding of Greenbelt. Councillor Wells inquired whether the master plan would become a material planning consideration, to which it was clarified that it would be for local authorities to decide whether to adopt it as part of their local plan process. Questions were also raised about the inclusion of affordability of homes within the master plan, with the response being that this would be addressed through individual planning applications.

Other Discussions

The committee also received updates on the Digital and IT Systems Strategy Overview, the Constitution Review - Draft Committee Terms of Reference, and the Work Plan Report. The Mayoral Budget and Mayoral Budget Forecast 2025/26 and Joint Committee Budget Forecast 2025/26 were reviewed, noting a stable financial position with some variances due to reprofiling and grant-funded programmes. The Investment Fund Programme and Grant Assurance report detailed new funding awards for nature recovery, climate resilience, clean energy, housing policy development, and regeneration capacity, alongside the withdrawal of the Green Growth West Fund. The Social Value in Procurement and Contracts report highlighted a new 10% weighting for social value in procurements. Updates were also provided on the Forward Plan of Regional Strategic Work, Transport initiatives including the Integrated Micromobility Service contract and the Local Transport Delivery Plan, and the Spatial Development Strategy (SDS).