Mayoral plan could 'unlock billions of pounds'

Swindon Council leaders Gary Sumner (L) and Jim Robbins (R) are backing plans for a new mayoral system

Teaming up with local authorities and creating a regional mayor could unlock up to £18.7bn by 2040, council leaders have said.

Swindon Borough Council's (SBC) chiefs are backing plans for a Thames Valley Mayoral Strategic Authority (MSA), which would see Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Swindon councils uniting.

Thames Valley's mayor would then be in charge of key regional issues, including housing and transport.

Councillor Jim Robbins, leader of SBC, said: "This is a game-changing opportunity for Swindon and one we need to grasp with both hands."

The MSA group claims devolution has the potential to unlock up to £18.7bn for the Thames Valley economy by 2040, generating £7bn in additional annual tax revenue.

Councillor Gary Sumner, leader of SBC's Conservative Group, said links with partners along the M4 corridor "would boost supply chains and create significant opportunities for growth".

"This new strategic authority provides a chance to build on our current strengths and become even stronger," he added.

Politicians in Swindon have come together to support the MSA plans

Councils will debate a expression of interest in joining the MSA at meetings in November and December. If agreed, this will be submitted to the government at the end of the year.

Councillor Adam Poole, from the borough council's Liberal Democrats group, added: "We cannot afford to be left behind and this partnership will benefit both our local businesses and residents, increasing Swindon's prosperity."

The move follows the government's white paper which proposed abolishing district councils and introducing larger mayoral combined authorities.

Elsewhere, similar discussions are under way to create the Heart of Wessex authority, which would bring Dorset, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, Somerset, North Somerset and Wiltshire together under devolved power.

Existing examples of combined authorities combined include the West of England Combined Authority, which is made up of Bristol, Bath and North East Somerset and South Gloucestershire councils.