Policy and Strategy: the Voice of the South West
SW Councils brings together all the South West local authorities and where appropriate associate member organisations to share information and influence policy development and, based on a consensus approach across the SW, undertakes lobbying on issues of concern where these cross local authority boundaries.
The Chair of South West Councils and Leader of Somerset Council, Cllr Bill Revans, has set out clearly his vision as to why it is so important to work together.
“The South West is the most beautiful region with immense potential, but also unique challenges. The whole region is not heard well enough in the corridors of Westminster and Whitehall…we have a choice about that, about how we make our voice heard.
We need to harness our collective strength to speak with one voice, share solutions, and work together to do all we can to ensure our region gets the recognition and investment it deserves.”
In 2026 our Leaders and Chief Executives will be focussing on four workstreams where we want to raise the Voice of the South West:
- Economy and Development
- Housing
- Finance
- Health and Prevention.
As part of our strategic role we also support the SW Strategic Migration Partnership (SMP). SMPs facilitate and enable collaboration and act as a conduit for the sharing of information and evidence between central Government and local authorities and local partners.
South West Councils also facilitate a range of meetings and networks to support joint working and the spread of best practice and information sharing across the South West, working with other regional and national partners including the LGA, as appropriate.
Please get in touch with info@swcouncils.gov.uk for more information.