Thames Valley to get its own elected-Mayor
Government gives the go ahead to Mayoral strategic authority for Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Swindon
Last updated 28th Oct 2026
The Chancellor John Healey has announced in his Autumn Budget Statement that the Thames Valley region, alongside nine others across the country including Surrey, Hertfordshire and Wessex, will progress with plans for a mayoral strategic authority.
The announcement also came with a proposed allocation of £9.1 million of funding from the government’s “Good Growth Funds” for investment in growth priorities as the MSA is developed.
Leaders across Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Swindon, wrote to Jim McMahon, OBE, MP, Minister for Local Government, Devolution and Regional Growth, earlier this week confirming their aspiration for an MSA for the region.
The 13 councils within the region will now develop the proposal in advance of a stakeholder consultation planned for the New Year.
A Thames Valley MSA will give local leaders more funding and control over areas like transport, skills and employment support, inward investment and affordable housing to deliver better on things that matter to residents across the region.
A new MSA would be led by an elected mayor and Board comprised of representatives from all upper tier authorities. The MSA would bring new powers and funding opportunities to the region.
Local councils would continue to be responsible for delivering day to day services such as waste collections, social care, housing, schools, leisure and local planning.
Significant
Councillor Liz Terry, Leader of Reading Borough Council, said:
“I am delighted with today’s news, this is a significant step towards harnessing the opportunity and investment to grow and develop our region.
“The Thames Valley is well established as one of the UK’s most powerful regions economically, ranked as England’s second most productive economy per capita after London. It will provide a voice for the region in the Council of Mayors; greater powers and levels of funding for transport, housing, skills and economic development; a structure to convene local leaders and tackle local challenges across a broader geography to push it on to even greater heights.
“There is an opportunity to act together to create a recognisable region which will work to meet the challenges of success and enable The Thames Valley region to continue to grow for the benefit of all or residents, business and universities.”
“Each of the local authorities across the Thames Valley play an important role in the area’s economic success. A new Thames Valley mayoral strategic authority will unlock enormous benefits for residents in Reading.”
Stronger
The leader of west Berkshire council Jeff Brooks, said:
"This is very welcome news and an important step forward for the Thames Valley. We have been clear that devolution offers a significant opportunity to bring more powers, investment and decision-making closer to our communities, and I am pleased the Government has recognised the strength of our proposals.
"There is still work to do, but the benefits of working together across the Thames Valley are significant. A strategic authority can give our region a stronger voice nationally, help attract investment and give us greater influence over issues such as transport, skills, jobs and affordable housing. We look forward to working constructively with Government and our partners to turn this opportunity into real benefits for residents and businesses."
Important
The news has also been welcomed by Professor Robert Van de Noort, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Reading, said:
“We welcome this important step forward for the Thames Valley. Universities have played a foundational role in the development of our region for centuries, and it is important that we continue this responsibility today and in the future.
“As one of the region’s largest and longest-established institutions, we have a deep commitment to help our communities thrive and to support sustainable economic growth.
“Universities can act as anchor institutions, bringing together education, research, innovation, business and civic leadership. Through our teaching and skills programmes, we help equip people with the knowledge and expertise needed by employers across the region. Our research supports innovation that creates jobs, attracts investment and helps find solutions to the major challenges of our time.
“We look forward to working with local authorities, businesses and partners of all sizes to ensure the new Mayoral Strategic Authority delivers lasting benefits for the communities that make the Thames Valley such a successful and dynamic region.”
Timetable
Subject to approval of the proposal for consultation by councils across the region in December and consideration of the consultation response, the formal proposal would then be submitted to government in spring next year.
A new MSA in shadow form would then be established later in 2027 following the statutory decision-making process. This would then be followed by mayoral elections in 2028.