Wiltshire elections could be postponed until 2026
Local elections in the county are set for May 2025
Wiltshire's local elections in 2025 could be postponed to should devolution plans in the Wessex region be approved.
Wiltshire's leaders have welcomed the Government's publication of the Devolution White Paper on Monday.
It follows a speech by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner which revealed extra powers could be devolved to local Government.
Council's across the South West had been hoping to progress proposals for the Heart of Wessex Mayoral Strategic Authority, with Leaders in Wiltshire, Dorset and Somerset optimistic this can move forward.
Should this be approved, the three councils will continue to exist and likely have the same responsibilities as they currently do.
In a joint statement, the leaders of Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire Councils, Cllr Nick Ireland, Cllr Bill Revans, and Cllr Richard Clewer, said:
“We welcome the publication of the Devolution White Paper as a significant step forward in our journey towards achieving devolution for the Heart of Wessex region. This milestone reflects the Government’s commitment to empowering local communities and enabling regions like ours to collaborate on our shared vision.
“Government has made it clear that if strategic authorities are going to maximise the funding opportunities available devolution deals will require a mayor and ministers will be able to impose mayors and geographies on local councils. The establishment of the Heart of Wessex Mayoral Strategic Authority represents a fantastic opportunity to have a champion for the Wessex region who will be able to deliver meaningful change for our residents and advocate for our interests in Westminster. This will also offer the likely opportunity for increased funding and investment to our council regions. We want to make the Heart of Wessex a thriving region whose unique interests are heard and understood by central government.
“This proposal ensures clear, accountable leadership to drive economic growth, improve public services, and invest in vital infrastructure across the region. This model will see additional powers handed down from central government and redefine local decision-making, unlocking significant opportunities for our residents and businesses.
“The Heart of Wessex encompasses real strengths in sectors such as defence, digital, life sciences, advanced manufacturing and clean energy, and devolution offers the opportunity to secure additional funding for the critical infrastructure needed with the ability to attract additional private sector investment.
“We have made clear our strong desire to be considered in the first tranche of devolution agreements. We look forward to working with Government to discuss how quickly we can progress devolution to lead change in local government.”
Next year's planned local elections in Wiltshire could be impacted if the Heart of Wessex Proposal is chosen as one of the first areas for devolution.
If that happens, the elections, currently set for 1st May 2025, could be postponed to be aligned with mayoral elections in 2026.
In response to this, Lucy Townsend, Returning Officer, Wiltshire Council, said: “At this stage the Government has advised that they are actively considering postponing local elections for those areas progressed in the first tranche of devolution deals so that they can be held alongside mayoral elections in 2026.
"We will continue to plan for our elections on 1 May 2025 until a decision is made as to whether this will include the Heart of Wessex.
"If it does, then we would support the decision to postpone elections in Wiltshire to allow them to take place alongside the mayoral elections.”