The Transition Director submitted a report to invite Cabinet to note Oxfordshire County Council’s veto of the systemwide Expression of Interest to Government, which would have enabled the creation of a Thames Valley Strategic Authority with enhanced powers and funding for the region. Cabinet is further requested to reaffirm its commitment to working collaboratively with Thames Valley partners and Government to reassess devolution in light of the ‘minded to’ decision on Local Government Reorganisation, with the clear aim of advancing a renewed proposal that includes Swindon and remains open to Buckinghamshire.

Cabinet is recommended to:

1.    Note Oxfordshire County Council’s decision to veto the Thames Valley Foundation Strategic Authority proposal; 

2.    Agree that the Council Leader and Council officers to work with counterparts in other Thames Valley councils to review the position following the Government’s decision on Local Government in Oxfordshire and West Berkshire;

3.    Note that officers will work with counterparts in the other 12 councils to further develop the Expression of Interest proposal against any updated policy position around devolution set out by the new Prime Minister;

4.    Agree the commitment to continue to support Swindon’s involvement as a willing partner in a Thames Valley Strategic Authority – and keep the door open for Buckinghamshire’s inclusion too, if they change their position.

Cabinet resolved to:

1.    Note Oxfordshire County Council’s decision to veto the Thames Valley Foundation Strategic Authority proposal;

2.    Agree that the Council Leader and Council officers to work with counterparts in other Thames Valley councils to review the position following the Government’s decision on Local Government in Oxfordshire and West Berkshire;

3.    Note that officers will work with counterparts in the other 12 councils to further develop the Expression of Interest proposal against any updated policy position around devolution set out by the new Prime Minister

4.    Agree the commitment to continue to support Swindon’s involvement as a willing partner in a Thames Valley Strategic Authority – and keep the door open for Buckinghamshire’s inclusion too, if they change their position.

5.    Ask Council to endorse the recommendations from Cabinet and to ask the Leader to write to the Leader of the County Council to that effect.

The Transition Director had submitted a report to request that Cabinet note Oxfordshire County Council’s veto of the systemwide Expression of Interest to Government, which would enable the creation of a Thames Valley Strategic Authority with enhanced powers and funding for the region. Cabinet was further requested to reaffirm its commitment to working collaboratively with Thames Valley partners and Government to reassess devolution in light of the ‘minded to’ decision on Local Government Reorganisation, with the clear aim of advancing a renewed proposal that included Swindon and remained open to Buckinghamshire.

Councillor Brown attended the meeting remotely.

Councillor Brown presented the report and said the implications for the council and the whole of Thames Valley were significant. Work had taken place over almost two years and formerly 18 months with authorities across Thames Valley, but agreement on devolution proposal for government had not been secured after the leader of the County Councill vetoed the proposal. She said discussions had continued with key stakeholders, council leaders and council chief executives to maintain progress. The report recommended noting the current position while agreeing to continue progressing the work. Councillor Brown suggested an additional recommendation to ask Council to endorse the recommendations from Cabinet and to ask the Leader to write to the Leader of the County Council to that effect.

Mish Tullar, Transition Director, stated that the change in government could alter the devolution landscape. The existing government had set out plans for all areas of England to adopt devolved governance, initially through foundation strategic authorities before progressing to elected mayors. While future arrangements remained uncertain, government support for devolution was expected to continue and work should continue without delay.

Cabinet resolved to:

1.    Note Oxfordshire County Council’s decision to veto the Thames Valley Foundation Strategic Authority proposal;

2.    Agree that the Council Leader and Council officers to work with counterparts in other Thames Valley councils to review the position following the Government’s decision on Local Government in Oxfordshire and West Berkshire;

3.    Note that officers will work with counterparts in the other 12 councils to further develop the Expression of Interest proposal against any updated policy position around devolution set out by the new Prime Minister

4.    Agree the commitment to continue to support Swindon’s involvement as a willing partner in a Thames Valley Strategic Authority – and keep the door open for Buckinghamshire’s inclusion too, if they change their position.

5.    Ask Council to endorse the recommendations from Cabinet and to ask the Leader to write to the Leader of the County Council to that effect.