MORE THAN 500 people from across South Gloucestershire have had their say on plans for a £1 billion pound South West devolution deal and new metro mayor.

Responses to the deal, which has been presented by central government, were received from across public, business, education and voluntary sectors – with the majority of people expressing overall support for the deal.

A total of 531 responses were made by people in South Gloucestershire, with 2,011 responses coming across the West of England in total.

Feedback was sought on four key areas of the proposed devolution deal, including decision making, place, people and business, with 55 per cent believing that on balance, they believe that a West of England Mayoral Combined Authority (MCA) would benefit the West of England region.

Meanwhile, 34 per cent of responses said they did not agree, nine per cent felt they did not know, and two present did not answer.

If agreed, the MCA would be established in the first part of 2017, with elections taking place in May for the position of West of England Mayor to take place across all three local government areas – Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol and South Gloucestershire.

Together, the three councils will submit a joint consultation report to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government. The Secretary of State will review the findings of this consultation alongside the Strategic Governance Review, the proposed Governance Scheme and any other representations that have been made directly.

Cllr Matthew Riddle, leader of South Gloucestershire Council, said: “I would like to extend my thanks to everyone who took the time to respond to the devolution consultation.

“Overall, the majority of people who responded to the survey in South Gloucestershire said they thought that a West of England Mayoral Combined Authority would benefit the region.

“The next step will be for the Secretary of State to consider the results before deciding whether the deal goes ahead. Finally each council will be asked to endorse his decision and all three authorities will come to a balanced view about what will be best for their areas in the autumn.”

For more information on the deal and the consultation, visit the West of England Devolution site www.westofenglanddevolution.co.uk