Politics & Council · Swindon
Swindon set to join £97bn Thames Valley devolution deal
By Swindon Now Editorial Team · Published
Swindon is poised to become part of a new £97bn strategic authority, with council leaders confirming an agreement that could lead to a mayoral election by 2028.
Swindon is set to play a pivotal role in a major new economic partnership as council leaders across the region have reached an agreement on a £97bn devolution deal. The proposed arrangement will create a new Strategic Authority encompassing Swindon, Oxfordshire and Berkshire, a move intended to mirror the economic scale of Greater Manchester.
Plans for the collaboration had previously stalled in June when local authorities in Oxfordshire were unable to secure a consensus. However, a coordinated effort led by council leaders has now resulted in a formal commitment to move forward, with the government expected to outline further details in the upcoming Budget.
Councillor Jim Robbins, the leader of the Labour group at Swindon Borough Council, welcomed the agreement as a significant milestone for the town. Councillor Robbins stated that the move signals a strategic shift in focus for Swindon, aligning its economic future with the M4 corridor to the east rather than the more rural regions of the south-west. He noted that the town aims to leverage the new partnership to bolster its advanced manufacturing and service sectors.
The central government has been a key driver in the process. Nesil Caliskin MP, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Devolution, Local Growth and Communities, had previously communicated to local leaders that a deal including Swindon was essential to the viability of the regional economic strategy. She emphasised that the partnership would be instrumental in strengthening housing and infrastructure delivery while unlocking research and innovation links across the region.
Should the plans proceed as expected, the region is looking towards the establishment of a Thames Valley mayor, with a potential inaugural election anticipated in 2028. Councillor Nathan Ley, an Oxfordshire County Council representative, confirmed that all 13 council leaders across the participating areas have now provided their formal consent to progress the development of the Strategic Authority.
The cross-party support within Swindon has been highlighted as a critical factor in the success of the negotiations so far. Local leadership has expressed optimism that this regional integration will allow the town to better compete for central government resources and investment compared to operating independently. Further clarity on the scale of potential funding and the specific powers devolved to the new authority is expected to be clarified following the government's budget announcement.
Source: Swindon Advertiser - Politics · View original