Thames Valley leaders furious as mega-council plan kicked into long grass
19/06/2026
Cherwell’s leader says they remain supportive of the benefits a Foundation Strategic Authority could hold for the district
by Ted O’Neill, Local Democracy Reporter
Politicians and business leaders across the Thames Valley were furious on Wednesday as a project to create a powerful region-wide mega council was kicked into the long grass.
In a move described as ‘disgraceful’, ‘ridiculous’ and ‘absurd’, Liberal Democrats from Oxfordshire dramatically halted plans for a powerful new Thames Valley Strategic Authority.
Meanwhile, business community urged leaders to “get back around the table and iron this out with urgency.”
Leaders from across Berkshire, Oxfordshire, and Swindon had gathered expecting to sign off on a Foundation Strategic Authority (FSA), expected to bring jobs, investment and better transport to the whole region and were pencilling in the first elections for May 2028.
According to fans of regional government, it could bring jobs and development to Oxfordshire, West Berkshire, Reading, Slough, Wokingham, Bracknell Forest, Swindon and Maidenhead – with only the details still to be ironed out – but the plan they had developed now seems likely to be scrapped.
Details of what happened are still sketchy, but it is understood that Oxfordshire’s Liberal Democrat leadership abruptly withdrew support, effectively collapsing months of negotiations.
Paul Britton, the CEO of Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce stressed that other regions with complex, fragmented public administrations had managed to put their differences aside and united around a plan for devolution.
He said: “The risk of the Thames Valley being left behind and not securing the prize of a devolution dividend means the business community will be expecting civic leaders to get back around the table to iron this out and with urgency.
“The business environment is challenging, the Thames Valleys competitiveness is not guaranteed and having an aligned civic voice with business is not only a prospect, but also a necessity.”
Cllr Helen Purnell, leader of Bracknell Forest Council, said: “The Lib Dems’ latest excuse is ridiculous. For months this has been about a Foundation Strategic Authority.
“It’s absurd for them to claim they want less devolution, but do want a mayor.
“Businesses and local leaders of all political colours have been pushing for a strategic authority to boost growth, investment, and delivery across our region.
“These negotiations have taken time and resources, and Oxfordshire Lib Dems are throwing that all away.
“I am disappointed for the residents and businesses in the Bracknell Forest who will miss out on this opportunity for growth because the Lib Dems in Oxfordshire can’t get off the fence and stand up for residents.”
Another Labour Leader Susan Brown of Oxford City said it was ‘disgraceful’ and commented that Oxfordshire’s residents, businesses and our local and national economy would “lose out on government and other inward investment. We will not be able to bring decision-making closer to local residents and deliver more for them.”
Reading Leader Liz Terry, also Labour, accused the Lib Dems of playing politics and said that the rest of the Thames Valley, was now “at risk of missing out on a package of investment that would have been transformative for the region.”
Wokingham leader Stephen Conway – a Lib Dem – tried to smooth things over. He said: “Unfortunately, the council leaders present were unable to agree on the proposed basis for a strategic authority.
“The government has made it clear that unanimity was required; in its absence the process has paused as council leaders take stock and decide on how best to proceed.”
Speaking on behalf of Cherwell and West Oxfordshire, Liberal Democrat council leaders Lesley McLean and Andy Graham said: “Both Cherwell and West Oxfordshire remain supportive of the benefits a Foundation Strategic Authority could hold for our districts.”
The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, which had been part of earlier discussions, was notably absent from the talks but its leader, another Lib Dem, Simon Werner said that the proposal had become “increasingly dependent on promises about what might happen in the future, while offering very little that is tangible to my residents today.”
However Cllr Tim Bearder, Liberal Democrat leader of Oxfordshire County Council, was less diplomatic, and appeared to be holding out for the Thames Valley to have a powerful elected mayor. Laying the blame on government ministers, who, he said, had shifted the terms of the deal during discussions.
Mr Bearder said that after months of engagement in what was presented as a locally-led process, ministers had “withdrawn” a mayoral deal and instead offered a ‘Foundation Strategic Authority,’ with substantially fewer powers, resources and tangible benefits for local communities.
He said: “Liberal Democrat leaders shared concerns about the reduced scope of the offer, the limited benefits available through the FSA model and the extent to which local authorities were genuinely free to shape their own future arrangements.
“Given the Government’s expectation that Strategic Authorities should be built on local consensus, it was ultimately not possible to reach agreement across all participating councils.
“Liberal Democrat leaders remain willing to engage constructively.”
Conservatives in Wokingham were sceptical about the whole idea.
Pauline Jorgensen, Conservative Group Leader on Wokingham Borough Council, said: “Wokingham Borough Conservatives have never been persuaded that the Labour proposal to introduce yet another layer of government would be beneficial to local residents and taxpayers.”
The proposed Thames Valley Strategic Authority would have covered an economic region of about 1.97 million people, bringing together globally significant research hubs, innovation districts and major employers along the M4 and M40 corridors.
In an expression of interest sent to ministers on March 20, local leaders argued that a mayoral authority could unlock an extra £18.7 billion in annual GVA by 2040 and £7 billion a year in additional tax revenue by tackling fragmented labour markets, infrastructure gaps and housing constraints.
The letter to ministers Matthew Pennycook and Miatta Fahnbulleh stressed that the Thames Valley is the only one of the UK’s top ten economies without a directly elected mayor and said “the economic case is made” for devolution.
Under the plans, the shadow authority and later the elected Strategic Authority would have taken on strategic functions over transport, housing and regeneration, skills, economic development, climate resilience and public safety, while day-to-day services remained with existing councils.
Central government was understood to be supportive of the scheme and ready to move quickly on approving a devolved regional authority, however the model they had in mind was different from the one Oxford Lib Dems were pushing for.
Local business leaders across the Thames Valley, who had backed the proposals as a way to secure clearer leadership on inward investment, skills and infrastructure, are now said to be alarmed that today’s U-turn could put jobs and investment at risk.
The collapse of support in Oxfordshire leaves the future of Thames Valley devolution highly uncertain, with partner councils now needing to decide whether to attempt a revised deal without the county or to pause plans altogether.
Without the collaboration of local councils, the government could impose a plan with limited input from local partners.
Published: by the Banbury FM News Team
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