Swindon looks to join forces with councils in east

If Swindon Borough Council is to join up with another local authority in order to gain more powers, it may look towards the M4 corridor rather than the south.

The government has published a white paper on English devolution which suggests that larger "strategic authorities" be set up with responsibility for things like local transport and planning.

Prior to the publication of its proposals it asked local authorities to make expressions of interest in combining with others.

Swindon Borough Council's leader Jim Robbins said the council has been looking at opportunities in Berkshire and Oxfordshire.

Wiltshire, Dorset and Somerset Councils have submitted an expression of interest to the government for a joint devolution deal.

"We have met with the Heart of Wessex partners and listened to their pitch," said Mr Robbins.

He said that although he has enjoyed working with Wiltshire Council leader Richard Clewer, he has "yet to be convinced" of the economic reasons for joining their rural partnership.

"We arranged and hosted a meeting with representatives of Berkshire and Oxfordshire to understand the opportunities and challenges of looking east," he continued.

"We are working through the white paper to fully understand the options and will be speaking to potential partners again in the new year."

Conservative politicians from both Swindon and Wiltshire criticised Swindon's Labour administration for seemingly having little interest in the partnership.

Gary Sumner, the leader of the Swindon Conservative Group, said: "Economically, a devolution deal with Wiltshire, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, Dorset, and Somerset would put Swindon in a position to drive economic growth and benefit from our strategically well-placed location, whereas competing with larger economies such as Reading or Slough would not see us at the front and centre of opportunities."

Leader of Wiltshire Council, the Conservative councillor Richard Clewer added: "We have extended an invite to to the current Swindon administration to join us but they have been focused on a Berkshire concept.

"The existing cross-area working in fire, police, health and economic development all point to the strengths of Swindon being part of the Heart of Wessex devolution idea."

Mr Robbins said the borough council would speak to residents about the decision and "properly engage with them" before any final decisions are made.

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