Politics & Council · Swindon
Concerns raised over plans for new Thames Valley mayor and strategic authority
By Swindon Now Editorial Team · Published
Government proposals for a new regional authority covering Swindon, Oxfordshire and Berkshire have drawn criticism from South Oxfordshire District Council.
Government proposals to create a new Mayoral Strategic Authority covering Swindon, Oxfordshire and Berkshire have been met with criticism from a neighbouring local authority. The plan, which aims to centralise powers over transport, housing, skills, infrastructure and economic growth, could see significant decisions affecting Swindon taken as part of a much larger regional body.
South Oxfordshire District Council has voiced concerns regarding the transparency and speed of the consultation process. Maggie Filipova-Rivers, the council leader, warned that local authorities were given only two working days to review the initial proposals. She argued that plans with such long-term consequences for public service boundaries require more robust scrutiny and genuine local engagement.
The council supports the principle of devolution but has questioned the proposed geographical scope. They argue that the authority should be expanded to include Buckinghamshire to better reflect established economic and service links. Ms Filipova-Rivers suggested that excluding Buckinghamshire could disrupt existing regional partnerships and potentially necessitate complex adjustments to the delivery of critical services, including policing and healthcare.
Furthermore, the council expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s approach of offering a binary choice: either accept the current proposed geography or proceed with no new strategic authority at all.
Despite these reservations, South Oxfordshire District Council has agreed to participate in the next phase of discussions. The council stated that it intends to engage constructively to ensure that any final model is evidence-based and informed by the needs of local residents. Ms Filipova-Rivers emphasised that the ultimate goal should be a devolution framework that is financially sustainable and democratically accountable.
Any final proposal concerning the Thames Valley mayoralty would still be subject to formal approval by all the councils involved before moving forward.
Source: Swindon Advertiser - Lifestyle · View original