Thames Valley devolution plans put to government

2 hours ago

Isabella HarrisLocal Democracy Reporting Service

Councils in the Thames Valley hope to create a new Mayoral Strategic Authority

Getty Images An aerial view of the River Thames, flowing past Sonning Village, located between Woodley and Caversham, in the Thames Valley, 3 miles east of Reading — Councils in the Thames Valley hope to create a new Mayoral Strategic Authority

Leaders in the Thames Valley have agreed on a plan for local devolution, which they say could bring "billions of pounds of investment" to the region.

Authorities in Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Swindon submitted their proposals on Monday, the day of the government's deadline for the plans.

They are calling for a devolution deal and secure funding for a new authority covering the Thames Valley ahead of Chancellor John Healey's budget on Wednesday.

The councils have spent the last two years drawing up the plans, which would create a new regional authority with similar powers to those of the mayors of Greater Manchester and London.

The Liberal Democrat leadership of Oxfordshire County Council had initially vetoed the proposals, alongside the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead.

Both had raised concerns over Swindon's inclusion in the proposals, but this opposition was removed ahead of the government deadline.

The veto had also previously been centred on calls for the regional authority to have a mayor from the get-go - a request that had been rejected when Keir Starmer had been in Downing Street, but has not yet been declined by Andy Burnham.

Susan Brown said the proposals would be "enormously beneficial" for the region

Isabella Harris/LDRS Susan Brown, standing next to a wood-paneled wall in Oxford Town Hall, is wearing a red jacket and bright red rosette. She has long dark hair. — Susan Brown said the proposals would be "enormously beneficial" for the region

The disagreements have since been resolved, with the authorities writing to the government on Monday.

It will now be up to the powers in Westminster to decide whether to approve and fund the proposals.

Oxford City Council leader Susan Brown said she was "pleased" that regional support had now been reached for the new Thames Valley Mayoral Strategic Authority.

The city council previously said the deal could "bring billions of pounds of investment" to the Thames Valley.

Brown said the plans, if approved, would be "enormously beneficial" for the region, and that the door remained open for the inclusion of Buckinghamshire in the proposals.

It would allow for "inward investment that is needed" across the Thames Valley, she said, adding: "It's been a long time coming."

A spokesperson for Oxfordshire County Council added that the region's authorities were now awaiting a response from government.