Cabinet, at its Special meeting on 4 December 2025, will take a decision whether to endorse the submission by Oxfordshire County Council, on behalf of 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.

Cllr Susan Brown, Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Partnership Working, Caroline Green, Chief Executive, and Mish Tullar, Transition Director, have been invited to present the report and take part in discussions.

The Committee is asked to consider the report and agree any recommendations.

Cabinet, at its Special meeting on 4 December 2025, will take a decision whether to endorse the submission by Oxfordshire County Council, on behalf of 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 Susan Brown, Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Partnership Working, and Mish Tullar, Transition?Director,?were present to respond to questions.  

The Committee was asked to consider the report and agree any recommendations. 

Councillor Brown presented the report to the Committee and provided a comprehensive summary. 

The Transition Director outlined connections between devolution, and Local Government Reorganisation (LGR), specifically Oxford City Council’s three-unitary proposal. 

Councillor Ottino queried how inclusion within a Thames Valley Mayoral Strategic Authority would be communicated to local residents as a beneficial arrangement, noting that he does not personally identify himself as being part of the Thames Valley region. Concern with how distant this identity could feel was noted.  

Councillor Latif queried why Buckinghamshire is seeking to remain separate from the Thames Valley Mayoral Strategic Authority. Clarification of the difference between LGR and devolution was also requested. Councillor Latif expressed concern over the difference in geographical scale between LGR and devolution and asked how this can be aligned.  

Councillor Jarvis asked what sense there is from Government about Buckinghamshire not wishing to be part of a Thames Valley Mayoral Strategic Authority. 

In response to Councillor Ottino, Councillor Brown confirmed that many conversations are ongoing between local authorities regarding the impacts of devolution and how to present it to the public. The Committee heard that a significant budget has been allocated by Government to give more powers to local areas; the potential benefits of which were highlighted. Comparable examples, such as Manchester, were also referenced. Councillor Brown noted that for areas that do not obviously fit the geographic regions, the Government may aim to use powers to ensure that no region is left out, including Buckinghamshire. In response to Councillor Latif, LGR and devolution were explained via the connections they will have to each other and the inclusion of all unitary authority leaders within the decision-making model of the Mayoral Strategic Authority. Councillor Brown outlined how the three-unitary model would best support representation of local voices within a Mayoral Strategic Authority.  

The Transition Director commented on the complementarity of smaller place-based unitary authorities with Mayoral Strategic Authorities, noting the positive impacts to investment, strategic responsibility, and delivery this will bring.  

Councillor Miles queried why Swindon is included within the proposal for a Thames Valley Mayoral Strategic Authority, noting that its identity fits more neatly with west country regions.  

Councillor Brown clarified that Swindon proactively expressed interest for being included within a Thames Valley Mayoral Strategic Authority and provided detail on its economic context which aligns with Oxford. Its consideration within the proposed growth corridor between Oxford and Cambridge was also outlined.  

The Chair queried the role of unitary authority leaders within a Mayoral Strategic Authority and asked what the governance structures would look like.  

Councillor Brown clarified that Mayoral Strategic Authority governance arrangements are not yet confirmed, and this would be the next step in devolution planning from Government. The Committee heard that it would involve a mayor who makes some decisions, and a collection of local authority leaders with some decision-making powers. 

Councillor Latif queried the constructs of proportionality in a Mayoral Strategic Authority decision-making structure.  

The Transition Director outlined more detail on possible devolution models and confirmed that considerations of weighted voting within a Mayoral Strategic Authority would be addressed in future planning stages by Government.  

Councillor Stares highlighted Oxford Direct Services (ODS) as a success story of Oxford City Council and asked if the benefits of this would be lost through devolution.  

Councillor Brown clarified that entry into a Thames Valley Mayoral Strategic Authority would have no effect on ODS and how services are run locally. Local Government Reorganisation would have a larger impact on ODS, but the specifics of this are unknown at present.  

The Chair requested a brief outline of some of the powers that a Mayoral Strategic Authority may hold as a result of devolution. 

The Transition Director listed the examples of strategic planning, oversight of development, targets for housing, overall responsibility for environmental sustainability planning, transport, skills, and inward investment. This list was not exhaustive.  

Councillor Brown referenced Manchester as an example of a Mayoral Strategic Authority having positively bringing in investment to surrounding areas. 

The Committee made no recommendations to Cabinet. 

Councillor Brown, Councillor Hollingsworth, and the Transition Director left the meeting and did not return.