A bid for Berkshire to be united with Oxfordshire and possibly Swindon under a new mayor is due to be submitted later this month.
Councils in Berkshire are set to agree to join forces under a Thames Valley mayoral strategic authority (MSA) through an expression of interest letter to the government.
This would involve the councils in Berkshire and Oxfordshire uniting behind a new elected mayor in what is called a combined authority.
These authorities are made up of the leaders of all the councils and an elected mayor.
The leaders would be in charge of strategic planning, housing and transport planning across the area.
Examples of combined authorities include the West of England, made up of Bristol, Bath and North East Somerset and South Gloucestershire councils, the West Midlands and Greater Manchester.
If agreed by the government, devolution has the potential to unlock up to £18.7 billion for the Thames Valley economy by 2040, generating £7 billion in additional annual tax revenue, and creating new opportunities for residents and businesses.
It will also support coordinated investment of housing, roads and public transport, expand skills and training, and ensure research and innovation translate into jobs and growth across every part of the region.
The move has already received support from the council leaders in Berkshire.
Councillor Liz Terry, leader of Reading Borough Council, stated the new authority promises to “unlock enormous benefits for residents”, allowing the Thames Valley to “reach its full potential.”
Cllr Jeff Brooks, leader of West Berkshire Council, has pointed out that the creation of new authorities has been encouraged by the government.
On the benefits, he said: “With new powers and funding, we’ll be able to invest in improving our roads, public transport, and affordable homes – making life better for families and businesses.”
Cllr Stephen Conway, leader of Wokingham Borough Council, has also welcomed the reorganisation of local government, as it will allow councils to “tackle strategic issues that require joined-up thinking.”
On delivering improvements to residents in the area, Cllr Mary Temperton, leader of Bracknell Forest Council, said: “ This would be an important step forward in our local devolution journey, which aims to help boost the local economy and improve services that are really important to our residents, like transport and housing.”
Discussions on a Thames Valley MSA have included local authorities in Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Swindon – but no final decisions have been made yet.
After each council decides to submit the expression of interest letter to the government, detailed proposals will then be developed in the coming months for consideration by local councils and partners.
