Government announces plans to progress with a mayoral strategic authority for the Thames Valley
Ambitions from council leaders across the Thames Valley to unlock economic, infrastructure and investment opportunities for the region are closer to being realised following the government’s announcement today that the area has been placed on its programme for the creation of a new mayoral strategic authority (MSA)
John Healey, MP, Chancellor of the Exchequer, announced in his Autumn Budget Statement that the Thames Valley region, alongside nine others across the country including Surrey, Hertfordshire and Wessex, will progress with plans for a mayoral strategic authority.
The announcement also came with a proposed allocation of £9.1 million of funding from the government’s “Good Growth Funds” for investment in growth priorities as the MSA is developed.
Leaders across Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Swindon, wrote to Jim McMahon, OBE, MP, Minister for Local Government, Devolution and Regional Growth, earlier this week confirming their aspiration for an MSA for the region.
Following today’s announcement, the 13 councils within the region will now develop the proposal in advance of a stakeholder consultation planned for the New Year.
A Thames Valley MSA will give local leaders more funding and control over areas like transport, skills and employment support, inward investment and affordable housing to deliver better on things that matter to residents across the region.
Subject to approval of the proposal for consultation by councils across the region in December and consideration of the consultation response, the formal proposal would then be submitted to government in spring next year.
A new MSA in shadow form would then be established later in 2027 following the statutory decision-making process. This would then be followed by mayoral elections in 2028.
A new MSA would be led by an elected mayor and Board comprised of representatives from all upper tier authorities. The MSA would bring new powers and funding opportunities to the region.
Local councils would continue to be responsible for delivering day to day services such as waste collections, social care, housing, schools, leisure and local planning.
Councillor Liz Terry, Leader of Reading Borough Council, said:
“I am delighted with today’s news, this is a significant step towards harnessing the opportunity and investment to grow and develop our region.
“The Thames Valley is well established as one of the UK’s most powerful regions economically, ranked as England’s second most productive economy per capita after London. It will provide a voice for the region in the Council of Mayors; greater powers and levels of funding for transport, housing, skills and economic development; a structure to convene local leaders and tackle local challenges across a broader geography to push it on to even greater heights.
“There is an opportunity to act together to create a recognisable region which will work to meet the challenges of success and enable The Thames Valley region to continue to grow for the benefit of all or residents, business and universities.”
“Each of the local authorities across the Thames Valley play an important role in the area’s economic success. A new Thames Valley mayoral strategic authority will unlock enormous benefits for residents in Reading.”
For further information visit reading.gov.uk/devolution