Oxfordshire Councils Reject Swindon Bid for Thames Valley Devolution Deal

Swindon's ambition to join a significant devolution agreement encompassing Berkshire and Oxfordshire has been definitively rejected by councils in the two counties. The proposed Thames Valley deal, which aims to secure greater local control over funding and policy from central government, will proceed without Swindon's inclusion.

Local authority leaders in Berkshire and Oxfordshire justified their decision by asserting that Swindon did not align with their established vision for the region. Councillor Liz Leffman, leader of Oxfordshire County Council, stated that a "distinct geographical area with a distinct identity" was paramount for the deal's integrity. She indicated that while Swindon is an important regional centre, its inclusion would disrupt the existing coherence of the three-county arrangement.

Councillor Susan Brown, leader of Oxford City Council, echoed this sentiment, highlighting that the devolution deal had been "developed by three counties over a long period of time". The rejection underscores a preference for a more tightly defined regional grouping, despite Swindon's perceived economic and logistical ties to parts of the Thames Valley. This outcome maintains the established boundaries of the proposed devolution area, prioritising internal cohesion over broader regional expansion.