There is both excitement and concern over a new ‘super region’ that would see major decisions being made in Reading, Swindon and Oxford.
Discussions have begun for the possible creation of a Thames Valley ‘strategic authority’ to decide on major housing, road and transport projects.
In Reading, there are hopes a new authority could lead to the delivery of two major infrastructure projects: a third bridge over the River Thames and a western rail link to Heathrow Airport.
The bridge would link the A329(M) in Earley, Wokingham Borough to the junction of Caversham Park Road and Henley Road in South Oxfordshire.
Meanwhile, a railway line to Heathrow would speed up journeys between Reading and the airport.
The issue of devolution was debated at a full meeting of Reading Borough Council.
Councillor Louise Keane (Green, Katesgrove) said: “I was a bit concerned about the timescales in this, because we’re looking at 2027-28, that to me sounds that’s going to be radical reform very very quickly, and that could either go really successfully or it could also end up being watered down.”
Liz Terry (Labour, Coley), the council leader, replied that she is unable to provide planning time scales yet.
She has already been in discussions with neighbouring councils about local government reorganisation.
Welcoming that, cllr Meri O’Connell (Liberal Democrats, Tilehurst) said: “I’m really reassured that you are talking to other local authorities, we don’t want something imposed on us, we want to know what our options are, we need to be checking out who we can work with.”
Cllr James Moore (Liberal Democrats, Tilehurst) said he was glad that Reading Borough is not being ‘fast-tracked’ for reorganisation, and that discussions with the Lib Dem-run councils of Wokingham, West Berkshire and the Royal Borough are taking place.
Meanwhile, cllr Dave McElroy (Green, Redlands) accused the Labour Party of potentially taking power away from people in the interest of ‘corporate overlords’ with the possible addition of Swindon adding to Labour’s vote tally in any future authority election.
Cllr Terry replied: “I don’t have an idea of who my corporate overlord might be, I can assure you it doesn’t exist!”
Councillors unanimously voted to grant delegated power to cllr Terry to continue discussions with neighbouring councils on the creation of a strategic authority at the meeting on January 28.
Opinions appear to be divided in Oxfordshire over devolution, with the five Liberal Democrat MPs representing the county writing to Labour local government minister Angela Rayner in support of a Thames Valley strategic authority.
Oxfordshire County Council’s Lib Dem cabinet unanimously voted to be fast-tracked for local government reorganisation on January 9.
However, there is some opposition from South Oxfordshire District Council, as the strategic authority could lead to a third bridge over the River Thames, saying that involving Swindon would be ‘illogical’.
Mike Giles (Liberal Democrats, Sonning Common) a district councillor, said: “It is concerning that there are reportedly partisan manoeuvres taking place behind the scenes to attempt to integrate Swindon into the potential combined authority involving South Oxfordshire.
“Any such step would be anti-democratic, illogical and not in the best interests of local people.”
