Tories running South Gloucestershire are hiding the West of England Devolution Deal away from the public, say leading Liberal Democrats.

Cllr Sue Hope (Cotswold Edge) said: “It’s outrageous. There are public events happening around Bristol, and Bath & North East Somerset. Only South Gloucestershire is shutting the residents out.

“Lots of our residents don’t have fast, reliable internet services – but the only consultation we have is online. The information about it is online. The audio version is online. How to get a braille copy – is online. It’s completely unacceptable that South Glos alone are not organising public events. The leader of the Council, Matthew Riddle, promised me he would look into this – so we know they’ve deliberately decided not to do any. This is a big change in local government, and residents know nothing about it.”

Cllr Claire Young (Westerleigh) added: “It doesn’t make any sense. Bristol residents have six public events around the city where they can learn about the deal. There’s another six in Bath & North East Somerset, in Bath, Keynsham, Chew Magna. But if you live in Yate, or Thornbury, or Frampton Cotterell, our council has decided you don’t deserve a chance to meet people and discuss the deal. You’re limited to an online survey. It’s absolutely not good enough.”