Swindon Borough Council published its response on Friday 19 June 2026. It said Liberal Democrat leaders in Oxfordshire had refused to agree a proposed Thames Valley Foundation Strategic Authority at a meeting of partner councils on the morning of Wednesday 17 June.
According to the council, the decision ended nearly two years of work across council boundaries and stalled a deal that could have brought billions of pounds of investment and new powers.
What was the proposal?
Months earlier, 13 councils across Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Swindon had sent the Government a joint expression of interest in forming a strategic authority, the kind of body that takes on devolved powers and funding.
The council said the refusal came 24 hours after a letter from Nesil Caliskan MP, the minister for devolution, urging council leaders to move quickly. She said a deal including Swindon would create a £97 billion economy, comparable to Greater Manchester, and that a Thames Valley deal without Swindon would be unviable.
The council quoted economic output per person of £52,900 in Swindon, £56,500 in Berkshire and £39,800 in Oxfordshire.
What did Swindon's politicians say?
Council leader Councillor Gary Sumner said: "Today is a sad day for businesses across the Thames Valley." Councillor Jim Robbins, leader of the Labour and Co-operative group, said the deal had been built over two years with the support of business. Colin Lovell, deputy leader of Reform UK Swindon, said residents would be frustrated.
The council called on businesses across the Thames Valley to press Oxfordshire County Council's leaders to think again.
Source: Swindon Borough Council.
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