In the third part of a three-part feature, we look at the risks of devolution - what happens when councils stop seeing eye to eye and how one regional mayor is keeping councils led by different political parties on side.
While leaders are quick to talk up the benefits of devolution, the formation of a mayoral authority also carries risks.
Wiltshire, Dorset, Somerset, and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole are all - currently - Liberal Democrat-led administrations. But post-election, different parties with different priorities could bring conflict.
To Wiltshire's north, Swindon threw its weight behind the idea of a Thames Valley combined authority, rather than entering into a partnership with Wiltshire, of which it used to be a part.
But that deal has collapsed after 18 months of talks.
Earlier in 2026, Whitehall told the Thames Valley partners they would not be considered for a full Mayoral Strategic Authority (MSA) in the near term, and should instead form a Foundation Strategic Authority (FSA) – a weaker model with fewer powers and no elected mayor, described by ministers as a “stepping stone” to an MSA.
But some leaders, particularly in Oxfordshire, saw this as a downgrade compared with what they believed had been on the table. At a crucial meeting in June, intended to finalise the joint submission, the leader of the Lib Dem-run Oxfordshire County Council vetoed the FSA proposal.
The collapse effectively ends the Thames Valley devolution deal as it stood, leaving Swindon excluded from any new mayoral authority for the time being.
Read more
The only way is Wessex - plans for a combined authority heat up
Roads, rail and new homes - what benefits could devolution bring?
Meanwhile in the West, in an attempt to steady the ship at the West of England Combined Authority, mayor Helen Godwin (Labour) has formalised an arrangement whereby the leaders of the constituent unitary authorities take turns to be deputy mayor.
This means that the current mayor of Bristol, Tony Dyer (Green) has to work alongside Helen Godwin despite the fierce - and sometimes bitter - rivalry between the reds and the greens at City Hall.
Whether Wessex becomes a reality depends on the Government and the people.
After the four councils submit their proposal for a Wessex Mayoral Strategic Authority, it will be up to ministers whether the plan progresses and, importantly, what the funding package will look like.
There will likely be some form of public consultation before a new authority can be created.
Once created, residents across the Wessex area would vote for a directly elected mayor.
The authority would sit above the constituent councils for strategic issues, while Wiltshire Council would continue delivering local services.
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