News / Politics
Norris: ‘Spending £100,000 on navel-gazing isn’t the right thing to do’
The new metro mayor clashed with the leaders of the three councils that make up the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) at their first public meeting.
Dan Norris vetoed an attempt by Bristol’s fellow Labour mayor Marvin Rees, South Gloucestershire Council Conservative leader Toby Savage and Bath & North East Somerset Council Lib Dem leader Kevin Guy to spend £100,000 reviewing how WECA works and makes decisions.
Norris branded the proposed governance review a “navel-gazing” exercise and said there were more pressing matters as the region recovers from the pandemic.
is needed now More than ever
And the West of England mayor claimed the attempt was a “baptism of fire” as not only was it his first WECA committee meeting but the amendment tabled by Rees was the first main item on which the four members had to make a formal decision.
The three unitary authority leaders insisted it was the ideal time to hold the review because Norris was voted into office at May’s local elections.
According to the amendment, which fell because Norris had power of veto, the aim was to “better understand what has worked well over the last four years and those areas where we can come together further to deliver improved collaborative working to the greater benefit of our area”.
Norris told the meeting at Kingswood civic centre: “Already there is a baptism of fire because there is an amendment I wasn’t aware of until very recently.”
Rees, however, said it “really isn’t about a baptism of fire, it is about recognising the challenges we face”.
Bristol’s mayor – who publicly supported Helen Godwin to be Labour’s candidate for metro mayor – said it was a “real opportune time” to reflect and learn how WECA could operate more effectively.
Norris said: “Spending £100,000 of taxpayers’ money on navel-gazing isn’t the right thing to do during this crucial time for our recovery.
“Local people will expect us to be getting on with investing in jobs and skills, improving transport and tackling the climate emergency.”
Main photo: WECA
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