Issue - meetings
Devolution Update - Thames Valley Strategic Authority
Meeting: 21/04/2026 - Cabinet (Item 57)
57 Devolution Update - Thames Valley Strategic Authority 
PDF 230 KB
Forward Plan Ref: 2026/097
Non-key decision
Contact: Kim Sawyer, Programme Director Devolution
Kim.sawyer@oxfordshire.gov.uk
Report of the Chief Executive
The Cabinet is
RECOMMENDED to:
1. Note progress on devolution discussions
across the Thames Valley between December 2025 and March 2026.
2. Note the evolving national policy context
and the emerging position on governance and the supplementary expression of
interest (EOI) submitted on 20 March 2026.
3. Agree the proposed next steps to continue
constructive engagement with partner authorities and Government, while
maintaining the Council’s commitment to securing a Mayoral Strategic Authority
(MSA) for the Thames Valley.
Additional documents:
- Annex 1 260212 MHCLG letter Spatial Development Strategies Foundation Strategic Authorities Minister Fahnbulleh and Minister Pen, item 57
PDF 183 KB
- Annex 2a Expression Of Interest for a Thames Valley Strategic Authority_, item 57
PDF 504 KB
- Annex 2b - Existing EOI, item 57
PDF 108 KB
- Annex 2c Unlocking a UK Economic Powerhouse The Case for a Thames Valley Mayor, item 57
PDF 7 MB
- Annex 3 Devolution_Framework_Explainer_-_Non-Mayoral_Foundation_Strategic_Authorities, item 57
PDF 197 KB
Decision:
Recommendations approved.
Minutes:
Cabinet received a report which provided an update recent progress in devolution discussions for the Thames Valley, focusing on the evolving national policy context and governance options.
Councillor Liz Leffman, Leader of the Council, presented the report.
Cabinet noted the recent invitation to submit an expression of interest in becoming a foundation strategic authority, as a precursor to potential mayoral strategic authority status.
Cabinet noted that an expression of interest had been submitted by the government’s deadline and that further progress remained subject to post-election clarification on governance and geographic arrangements for any future Thames Valley Authority.
Councillor Leffman moved and Councillor Higgins seconded the recommendations and they were approved.
RESOLVED to:
a) Note progress on devolution discussions
across the Thames Valley between December 2025 and March 2026.
b) Note the evolving national policy context
and the emerging position on governance and the supplementary expression of
interest (EOI) submitted on 20 March 2026.
c) Agree the proposed next steps to continue
constructive engagement with partner authorities and Government, while
maintaining the Council’s commitment to securing a Mayoral Strategic Authority
(MSA) for the Thames Valley.