The government's told Berkshire leaders their aim to create a Thames Valley mayor by May 2027 is too soon, rejecting the proposed timescale for a new strategic authority that would unite Berkshire with Oxfordshire and Swindon.
Ministers have been encouraging councils to form “strategic authorities” across England. They already exist in the West of England, the Midlands and Greater Manchester, but much of the country has not been reorganised yet. The Thames Valley plan would set up a combined authority of council leaders, led by an elected mayor.
An expression of interest was submitted to government before Christmas, but the May 2027 target was labelled “too early” at a meeting of the Berkshire Prosperity Board — which brings together the leaders of the six unitary councils in the county.
Slough leader Dexter Smith (Conservative, Colnbrook with Poyle) told the board: "We put in an expression o interest to government for creation of a mayoral strategic authority, we've had a response to that, which is the government saying that they think the target date that we've set ourselves of May 2027 is too early, so we're now considering that response."
The timetable and cost were raised by Maidenhead resident Andrew Hill, who asked about councils being asked to pay £8,000 each — £48,000 in total — to continue work on the reorganisation.
Mr Hill asked: "Recent reporting in local media has already highlighted that councils across Berkshire are being asked to contribute another £8,000 each to support the work on a proposed Thames Valley mayoral authority.
"Now £8,000 may not sound a large amount in the context of council budgets, but it's still taxpayers' money, and taxpayers reasonably expect clearer explanations."
He also pressed for a timetable: "You appear to be under a lot of pressure to progress this rapidly. Is that the case?"
Paul Patterson, Berkshire's director of devolution, said a further expression of interest will be sent to try to make the case for the Thames Valley being among the first strategic authorities. On the £48,000, he said: "The uplift for the budget is from the existing Prosperity Board Budget, it's not requesting any additional funds.
"This initial budget is to support the initial external support needed for the particular bespoke pieces of work required in developing the business case as we progress this forward."
The topics were discussed at the Berkshire Prosperity Board meeting at Reading Borough Council's offices on Monday, March 16.
James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter
New Parking Restrictions Spark Community Outcry
