The Chief Executive has submitted a report to note that Cabinet will take a decision on whether to endorse the submission by Oxfordshire County Council on behalf of all Oxfordshire councils of an Expression of Interest to Government for the inclusion of the Thames Valley area in the next wave of its Devolution Programme.

Council is recommended to:

1.    Note that a Special Cabinet on 4 December will be asked to: 

a)    Endorse the benefits from the proposed devolution of powers and functions to a future Thames Valley Mayoral Strategic Authority, and agrees to continue building on the collaborative approach across the region to date; 

b)    Endorse the Expression of Interest (EOI) to be submitted by Oxfordshire County Council as the upper-tier authority to Government, noting that the EOI is designed to proactively position our region for early consideration in the next wave of the Devolution Programme; 

c)    Acknowledge the EOI as an initial invitation to Government, opening further dialogue and engagement, and not a decision to establish a Strategic Authority; 

d)    Agree that a further report will be brought to Cabinet prior to any final decision by Oxfordshire County Council as upper-tier authority on the creation of a Strategic Authority; and 

e)    Note an informal Devolution Programme Board will oversee discussions with Government, ensuring robust governance and stakeholder engagement by elected members throughout this process.

The report will be published as part of a supplement on Monday, 17 November 2025

The meeting was adjourned due to an ongoing protest in the Public Gallery in the Chamber at 17.57.  

The meeting resumed at 18.01. 

The Lord Mayor emphasised that Council welcomes public speakers however proper procedure must be followed and requests to speak must be submitted in advance.  

Councillor Turner commented on the unexpected comments from members of the public in the gallery and noted that whilst they were directed to him, he was unprepared to speak in response. Council was also informed that he had previously corresponded with the organisation in question and offered a meeting which had not yet been accepted.   

Councillor Jarvis, Councillor Mundy and Councillor Rawle declared their membership of the organisation who had conducted the protest in the Chamber but noted being unaware of any plans for the interruption at this meeting.   

The Chief Executive had submitted a report to note that Cabinet will take a decision on whether to endorse the submission by Oxfordshire County Council on behalf of all Oxfordshire councils of an Expression of Interest to Government for the inclusion of the Thames Valley area in the next wave of its Devolution Programme. 

Councillor Brown introduced the report and outlined the potential of a Thames Valley Mayoral Strategic Authority. Members were informed that engagement in repeat discussions is ongoing and the report before Council sets out a letter to government which express interest in being part of a Thames Valley Mayoral Strategic Authority. It was explained that as a district council, Oxford City Council is not able to directly write to government and is therefore supporting a letter from Oxfordshire County Council.  

Councillor Kerr left the meeting during this item. 

Council?noted?that a Special Cabinet on 4 December will be asked to:? 

1. Endorse the benefits from the proposed devolution of powers and functions to a future Thames Valley Mayoral Strategic Authority, and agrees to continue building on the collaborative approach across the region to date;? 

2. Endorse the Expression of Interest (EOI) to be submitted by Oxfordshire County Council as the upper-tier authority to Government, noting that the EOI is designed to proactively position our region for early consideration in the next wave of the Devolution Programme;? 

3. Acknowledge the EOI as an initial invitation to Government, opening further dialogue and engagement, and not a decision to establish a Strategic Authority; 

4. Agree that a further report will be brought to Cabinet prior to any final decision by Oxfordshire County Council as upper-tier authority on the creation of a Strategic Authority; and? 

5. Note an informal Devolution Programme Board will oversee discussions with Government, ensuring robust governance and stakeholder engagement by elected members throughout this process.