Why is Swindon splitting opinion in the Thames Valley?

Swindon is hoping to join the Thames Valley Mayoral Strategic Authority, but not everyone agrees

As councils prepare to share plans with the government about how they could be reorganised, an even bigger change is on the horizon - joining up these new local councils to create one big devolved authority for the region.

In Oxfordshire, the current plan is to be part of a new Thames Valley strategic authority, complete with a mayor.

But the question about who will be a part of the new mega-authority is still up for debate, with Swindon dividing opinion.

Oxford City Council backs Swindon's inclusion, describing the town as a natural economic partner, but the county council says it is not in the Thames Valley region and should look elsewhere for a devolution partner.

Mayoral Strategic Authorities (MSA) cover large areas, led by elected mayors.

They will be responsible for the entire patch, helping to bring more money to the region and spending it in a more effective way.

They will oversee things like local infrastructure projects, transport networks and housing.

In the Thames Valley, MSA partners think devolution could unlock up to £18.7bn for the local economy by 2040, generating £7bn in additional annual tax revenue.

Who's in?

Local authorities in Oxfordshire and Berkshire have been working together since the start of the year, to develop plans for a new Thames Valley Mayoral Strategic Authority.

These include Oxfordshire's county, city and district councils, as well as Reading, Bracknell Forest, Slough, West Berkshire, Wokingham and Windsor and Maidenhead.

Who's out?

Buckinghamshire has been invited to be a partner in the Thames Valley authority, but has consistently turned the offer down.

The county is already involved in the Thames Valley integrated care board and is included in the Thames Valley Police area.

What about Swindon?

Swindon would like to be a part of the new Thames Valley MSA, but is not in the Thames Valley geographical patch.

It shares a care board with Bath, North East Somerset and Wiltshire and comes under the Wiltshire Police area.

Devolution partners in Oxfordshire and Berkshire are now trying to work out if Swindon is in or out.

Swindon Borough Council leader, Jim Robbins, called it a "game-changing opportunity" to join the Thames Valley MSA

For Oxford City Council, Swindon would be a welcome devolution partner and would make the proposition for a Thames Valley MSA even stronger.

Council leader, Susan Brown, said the town was "very much a part of the local economy" including being a part of the Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce.

"We've got lots of connections, from the car factories to our local university, Oxford Brookes, having a campus in Swindon," she said.

But Oxfordshire County Council said it makes more sense for Swindon to look to the west and south for partners.

Councillor Liz Leffman, leader of the county council, said Swindon was not involved in the established Thames Valley Police or health footprints and would be better suited to the proposed Heart of Wessex authority, which would bring Dorset, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, Somerset and Wiltshire together under devolved power.

Swindon is clear in its preference to join the Thames Valley MSA.

Its leader, Jim Robbins, called it a "game-changing opportunity" that would "boost supply chains and create significant opportunities for growth".

So, what next? At this stage, the Swindon question can be pushed a little further down the road.

An "expression of interest" will be sent to central government, signed by Leffman on behalf of Oxfordshire and its councils and Councillor Mary Temperton, as chair of the Berkshire Shared Prosperity Board which represents all the councils in Berkshire.

An Oxfordshire county council spokesperson said: "The question of the size and scale of the new MSA will be one of the early discussions with government, if they decide to act on the expression of interest and consider devolving powers."

Under the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, currently going through parliament, if partners fail to agree on Swindon's inclusion, it could end up being decided by ministers.