Devolution exclusion is 'devastating' for town

A council leader says he is "absolutely devastated" his town has been rejected from a plan to create a devolved regional authority with others.

Swindon had been involved in proposals for a Foundation Strategic Authority (FSA) with Oxfordshire and Berkshire to give the area more economic powers, but political leaders disagreed over the town's inclusion.

Gary Sumner, Swindon Borough Council leader, said: "It's like your favourite child not being invited to the party."

Oxfordshire County Council leader, Tim Bearder said Swindon was "not part of the Thames Valley".

Sumner added: "Swindon is not somebody that should be a shrinking violet at the back of the dance floor."

He said the town had previously been welcomed and the government "made it clear" Swindon should be a part of it and "we would have made a huge difference".

The plans also stalled because of a disagreement in the overall approach of a FSA.

Leaders across the Thames Valley had hoped to form one so-called mega-authority to bring more money to the area.

But they were told by the government that the region was no longer being considered for an immediate Mayoral Strategic Authority (MSA).

Instead, they were told to make plans to form a FSA, described by the government as "a stepping stone towards mayoral devolution in the future".

Bearder described the change to a FSA as a "downgrade", which would have "very limited powers".

The leader of Oxford City Council, Susan Brown, described stalling the plan as overturning 18 months of work "on a whim".

Sumner said they were now waiting for "new thought" from council leaders and for the government to "insist" it goes forward.

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