Issue - meetings

Proposals for devolution to a Mayoral Strategic Authority

Purpose:

For the Executive to consider and present views on the proposed Expression of Interest (EOI) to Oxfordshire County Council (OCC) who will submit an EOI to Government. This is in response to the Government’s devolution policy and seeks to position our region in the next round of devolution for the purpose of creating a Mayoral Strategic Authority (MSA).

Recommendation(s):

That the Executive resolves to:

1. Note the benefits from the proposed devolution of powers and functions, and agree to continue building on the collaborative approach across the region to date;

2. Consider and present views on the proposed Expression of Interest (EOI) to Oxfordshire County Council (OCC) as the upper-tier authority to Government, noting that the EOI is designed to proactively position our region for early consideration in the next wave of the Devolution Programme;

3. Acknowledge the EOI as an initial invitation to Government, opening further dialogue and engagement, and not a decision to establish a Strategic Authority;

4. Agree that a further report will be brought to Executive prior to any final decision on the creation of a Strategic Authority;

5. Note the informal Devolution Board will oversee discussions with Government, ensuring robust governance and stakeholder engagement by elected members throughout this process; and

6. Delegate authority to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Leader of the Council, to propose any final amendments to the EOI prior to submission to Government by OCC.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Andy Graham, Leader of the Council, introduced the item, the purpose of which was for the Executive to consider and present views on the proposed Expression of Interest (EOI) to Oxfordshire County Council (OCC) who would submit an EOI to Government. This was in response to the Government’s devolution policy and sought to position the region in the next round of devolution for the purpose of creating a Mayoral Strategic Authority (MSA).

In his presentation Councillor Graham stated that this item had also been taken to Full Council in the format presented in the Executive report. Twelve district councils in Oxfordshire and Berkshire had agreed to put forward the EOI to the Government. This was a proactive step to position Oxfordshire in the best possible way to progress quickly to an MSA.

Councillor Graham proposed accepting the recommendations of the report.

Councillor Duncan Enright, Deputy Leader of the Council, seconded the proposal.

This was voted on and approved unanimously.

RESOLVED:

That the Executive:

Noted the benefits from the proposed devolution of powers and functions, and agreed to continue building on the collaborative approach across the region to date;
Agreed to present views on the proposed Expression of Interest (EOI) to Oxfordshire County Council (OCC) as the upper-tier authority to Government, and noted that the EOI is designed to proactively position our region for early consideration in the next wave of the Devolution Programme;
Acknowledged the EOI as an initial invitation to Government, opening further dialogue and engagement, and not a decision to establish a Strategic Authority;
Agreed that a further report will be brought to Executive prior to any final decision on the creation of a Strategic Authority;
Noted the informal Devolution Board would oversee discussions with Government, ensuring robust governance and stakeholder engagement by elected members throughout this process; and
Delegated authority to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Leader of the Council, to propose any final amendments to the EOI prior to submission to Government by OCC.

Meeting: 03/12/2025 - Council (Item 58)

Webcast for 03/12/2025 - Council

58 Proposals for Devolution to a Mayoral Strategic Authority PDF 94 KB

Purpose

This report provides information on the submission of an Expression of Interest (EOI) to Government. This is in response to the Government’s devolution policy and seeks to position our region in the next round of devolution for the purpose of creating a Mayoral Strategic Authority (MSA).

Recommendation

That Council resolves to:

1. Note the benefits from the proposed devolution of powers and functions, and agree to continue building on the collaborative approach across the region to date;

2. Consider and present views to the Executive on the proposed Expression of Interest (EOI) to be submitted by Oxfordshire County Council (OCC) as the upper-tier authority to Government, noting that the EOI is designed to proactively position our region for early consideration in the next wave of the Devolution Programme;

3. Acknowledge the EOI as an initial invitation to Government, opening further dialogue and engagement, and not a decision to establish a Strategic Authority;

4. Note that a further report will be brought to Council prior to any final decision on the creation of a Strategic Authority;

5. Note the informal Devolution Board will oversee discussions with Government, ensuring robust governance and stakeholder engagement by elected members throughout this process.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The purpose of the report was to provide information on the submission of an Expression of Interest (EOI) to Government. This was in response to the Government’s devolution policy and sought to position the region in the next round of devolution for the purpose of creating a Mayoral Strategic Authority (MSA).

Councillor Andy Graham introduced the report and explained [AB1] the proposed Thames Valley Mayoral strategic authority. It was expected that the new strategic authorities would be brought in in Summer/Autumn 2026.

Members discussed the report, raising the following points;

It was asked who would be signing the letter. As County Council Leader, Councillor Liz Leffman stated that she would be signing it on behalf of Oxfordshire Councils and that Councillor Mary Tempton, Leader of Bracknell Council, would be signing it on behalf of Berkshire.
A Mayoral Strategic Authority was welcomed as it would enable the councils to bring forward more ambitious projects and have greater representation on a national scale.
While the expression of interest was welcomed, one member referenced concerns they had with the proposals. In particular, they emphasised the importance democratic representation and engagement and stated that more detail on this was needed.

The recommendations were proposed by Councillor Andy Graham and seconded by Councillor Duncan Enright. Councillor Enright stated that there were many examples of successful Mayoral Strategic Authorities, and expressed optimism.

Voting record – For – 39, Abstentions 1, Against 0, Did not vote 0

Resolved: That Council

1. Noted the benefits from the proposed devolution of powers and functions, and agree to continue building on the collaborative approach across the region to date;

2. Agreed to present views to the Executive on the proposed Expression of Interest (EOI) to be submitted by Oxfordshire County Council (OCC) as the upper-tier authority to Government, noting that the EOI is designed to proactively position our region for early consideration in the next wave of the Devolution Programme;

3. Acknowledged the EOI as an initial invitation to Government, opening further dialogue and engagement, and not a decision to establish a Strategic Authority;

4. Noted that a further report will be brought to Council prior to any final decision on the creation of a Strategic Authority;

5. Noted the informal Devolution Board will oversee discussions with Government, ensuring robust governance and stakeholder engagement by elected members throughout this process.

[AB1]Not sure the geography in particular is actually covered as there are still question marks around Swindon and Bucks.

Issue - meetings

Proposals for devolution to a Mayoral Strategic Authority

Meeting: 17/12/2025 - Executive (Item 432)

Meeting: 03/12/2025 - Council (Item 58)

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