Thames Valley councils agree devolution plan worth billions
Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 26 Oct, 16:31 · Archive
Thames Valley councils have agreed a devolution plan potentially bringing billions in investment, meeting a government deadline.
Thames Valley leaders have agreed on a devolution plan and submitted a letter of support to central government ahead of an October 26 funding deadline. The proposal could bring billions of pounds of investment to the region and would create a new authority covering Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Swindon with similar powers and funding to the mayors of London, Greater Manchester and West Midlands.
This follows nearly two years of work on the devolution proposal. Major uncertainty surrounded the plan this summer when Liberal Democrat leaders of Oxfordshire County Council and Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead withdrew their support. They wanted Swindon excluded and for the authority to have a directly elected mayor immediately. The Starmer government had stated the Thames Valley would not be considered for an authority with an immediately directly elected mayor.
Oxford City Council leader Susan Brown said she was 'really pleased' that support had been finally submitted, describing the plan as 'enormously beneficial' for the region if approved and allowing for 'inward investment that is needed'. Central government must now decide whether to approve and fund the proposal.
How it is being reported
- Thames Valley devolution plan 'worth billions' agreed as government deadline expiresOxfordshire will not continue to block a devolution deal as a government funding deadline expires.Oxford Mail · 26 Oct, 16:00
- Thames Valley devolution plan 'worth billions' agreed as government deadline expiresOxfordshire will not continue to block a devolution deal as a government funding deadline expires.Oxfordshire Guardian · 26 Oct, 16:00
In this story: Thames Valley · Oxfordshire · Berkshire · Swindon · Susan Brown · Oxford City Council
This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem
Comments (0)