The Heart of Wessex devolution proposal including BCP Council and Dorset Council UK has been excluded from the government’s priority programme.

BCP, Dorset, Wiltshire, and Somerset councils previously voted to join forces under the combined authority, which would be presided over by an elected mayor.

But deputy prime minister Angela Rayner has decided that Heart of Wessex proposal will not be among those going forward because it was not developed enough to be included in this round of devolution deals.

However, a proposal for the neighbouring area covering Hampshire and Solent did receive the green light – as did those for Cumbria, Cheshire and Warrington, Greater Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk, and Sussex and Brighton.

BCP opted to join the Heart of Wessex programme late in the day despite some councillors and local MPs urging it to look east instead.

Now we have to wait and see what happens next – whether the Heart of Wessex persists or the option remains to look east – but councils must ensure that it does not lead to any delays or inertia going forward, especially in planning.

We will keep you updated but please don’t hesitate to get in touch for more details.