Press release from the office of Helen Godwin, the new Mayor of the West of the England:
Helen Godwin, the new Mayor of the West of the England, is set to confirm the appointment of her first Deputy Mayor: Councillor Kevin Guy, the Leader of Bath & North East Somerset Council.
As announced on 7 May at the swearing-in of the new Mayor, the deputy mayor role will rotate between the leaders of each of the local councils.
The Mayoral Combined Authority (MCA) committee Annual General Meeting (AGM) next Friday, 6 June, will be the first one chaired by Helen Godwin and is due to formally note Councillor Guy’s new role.
The Deputy Mayor will support the Mayor to ensure effective and efficient delivery of the region’s priorities, including by chairing boards, meetings, and groups.
Helen Godwin, the new Mayor of the West of England said:
“Together, working with leaders from across our region, we’ve begun a new chapter for the West of England.
“From extending free bus travel for care leavers, including in North Somerset, thanks to renewed partnership with our neighbours there, to working to secure fresh investment for the region from national and international investors, I hope it feels like we’ve turned the page.
“We’ve already made progress but we’re only just getting started. Continuing to collaborate over the next four years will deliver real change for local people. Like Maggie, Ian, Tony, and me – I know that Kevin will work hard to help make things happen for the West as my first Deputy Mayor.”
Councillor Kevin Guy, the Leader of Bath & North East Somerset Council, and the new Deputy Mayor of the West of England, said:
“I would like to thank Helen for the impressive start she has made in delivering a ‘reset’ for the West of England, working closely with Maggie, Ian, Tony and myself. It’s key that we ensure that this reset is mirrored in how we govern the combined authority, and I am thrilled to be chosen as the first deputy mayor so that I can directly influence how we lay the foundations for future sustainable success.
“I am excited by the opportunities that Helen’s fresh, new collaborative approach opens up to benefit our communities across Bristol, Bath and North East Somerset and South Gloucestershire. I look forward to working with the Mayor and Leaders to influence central government and help gain the investment we need to really improve people’s lives across our region.
“Undertaking the role of Deputy Mayor is a great honour, both personally and for Bath and North East Somerset, and I very much look forward to supporting the Mayor and delivering change for West of England residents in the coming year.”
The AGM is also set to agree that the Chairs of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee and the Audit Committee will be given the chance to address each MCA committee meeting, confirm the appointment of independent members of the Audit Committee, and other annual business.
The Deputy Mayor role had previously been vacant since 2021. In January 2025, the Independent Remuneration Panel confirmed their plans to consider a role description when an appointment to the post was made.
For more: westofengland-ca.gov.uk/news