Government funds £9.1m for new Thames Valley mayoral authority

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 28 Oct, 16:50 · Archive

The UK Government will fund £9.1m towards creating a new directly elected mayor for the Thames Valley region.

The UK Government has announced £9.1m in funding for the creation of a new Thames Valley mayoral authority. Chancellor John Healey made the announcement in his autumn budget statement. The Thames Valley region will join seven others across the country, including Surrey, Hertfordshire and Wessex, in progressing with plans for a directly elected mayor, similar to those in Greater Manchester, Liverpool and the West Midlands. The funding comes from the government's Good Growth Funds for investment in growth priorities.

The 13 councils within the Thames Valley region will now develop a detailed proposal in advance of a consultation planned for the new year. Leaders across Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Swindon had written to Jim McMahon confirming their aspiration for devolution.

Oxford City Council leader Susan Brown described it as 'a once-in-a-generation opportunity' to bring investment and support infrastructure and housing. She said discussions about creating the authority had been ongoing for two years. County leader Tim Bearde, who previously vetoed the deal, said he supports devolution but has apprehensions about the plan, stating he wants Oxfordshire to have 'the powers, funding and influence to make a real difference to people's lives'.

How it is being reported

• Government to fund £9.1m for new mayoral authority across Thames ValleyThe UK Government is to fund £9.1m as part of the creation of a new Thames Valley mayoral authority.Oxfordshire Guardian · 28 Oct, 16:09
• Government to fund £9.1m for new mayoral authority across Thames ValleyThe UK Government is to fund £9.1m as part of the creation of a new Thames Valley mayoral authority.Oxford Mail · 28 Oct, 16:09

In this story: Thames Valley · Berkshire · Oxfordshire · Swindon · John Healey · Susan Brown · Tim Bearde

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