Oxford City Council has expressed its disappointment at Oxfordshire County Council for scrapping a devolution deal that would have brought billions of pounds of investment to the Thames Valley.
Councils across Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Swindon had been working collaboratively on a proposal for a Strategic Authority, linking together councils across the Thames Valley region, for over 18 months.
The creation of a Foundation Strategic Authority would be the first step towards creating a directly elected Mayor of the Thames Valley, with similar powers and funding as the Mayors of London, Greater Manchester and the West Midlands.
This would have boosted a Thames Valley regional economy that is already worth £97bn – behind only London and Greater Manchester for regional value across the UK.
But, at a meeting on 17 June intended to finalise the joint submission, the Leader of Oxfordshire County Council vetoed the proposal.
Oxford City Council’s Cabinet will discuss the decision and the impact on Oxford’s economy at a meeting next week (8 July).
Foundation Strategic Authority
A Strategic Authority could unlock substantial benefits for the Thames Valley, including devolved powers over transport and adult skills, and improved coordination of infrastructure and housing delivery.
The Government has also made it clear that areas with Strategic Authorities will have increased access to national funding.
The Mayors of London and Manchester have used the powers to make significant improvements to public transport and drive government and international investment to boost the local economy.
On 24 March, the then Leaders of Oxfordshire County Council and Slough Borough Council (on behalf of Berkshire councils) signed an expression of interest on behalf of the Thames Valley leaders to develop a proposal for a Foundation Strategy Authority.
The Devolution Minister then wrote to councils across the region on 16 June to endorse the Foundation Strategic Authority proposal, and highlighting the benefits it could bring.
The next day (17 June), the new Leader of Oxfordshire County Council vetoed the devolution proposal.
The Government cannot impose a Strategic Authority on a region.
Thames Valley economy
The Thames Valley Strategic Authority would have brought together a region of nearly two million people, incorporating major innovation hubs, universities and business clusters along the M4 and M40 corridors.
The economy of Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Swindon is valued at £97bn gross value added (GVA). London and Greater Manchester are the only regions across the UK with larger GVAs than the Thames Valley.
Earlier submissions to government argued that a unified governance structure could unlock billions in additional economic growth by 2040.
Paul Britton, the CEO of Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce, told the Reading Chronicle that the collapse of the Foundation Strategic Authority risked the Thames Valley “being left behind”, adding: “The business community will be expecting civic leaders to get back around the table to iron this out and with urgency.”
Comment
“People across the region are crying out for change – for secure jobs, affordable homes and better public transport – and this deal would have been an important step in helping to achieve that.
“I am very disappointed in Oxfordshire County Council’s decision. I want to acknowledge and thank the many organisations and leaders – across both the public and private sectors – who contributed their time, expertise and support to develop this proposal and to reassure them that Oxford City Council will continue to work towards achieving devolution of powers and finances to our local area.
“We remain fully committed to working with partners across the Thames Valley to secure the best possible outcomes for our city and the region. With changes in national leadership and local government in Oxfordshire, we hope we can revisit the conversation again soon.”
Councillor Susan Brown, Leader of Oxford City Council
