Agreement by local authorities across Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Swindon to pursue a Mayoral Strategic Authority is an important step forward for the Thames Valley.
It deserves recognition. Finding common ground across political and administrative boundaries requires leadership, compromise, co-ordination and a willingness to look beyond individual institutions’ agendas.
Local leaders have deliberated, and together they have responded positively. Government must now match that response with sustained engagement and a practical route to implementation.
Those who have helped secure devolution status have recognised the direction of travel for business, educators and the future of public private co-operation. Working at scale across traditional boundaries is one of the Thames Valley Chambers key value propositions for the business community we serve. This is an opportunity for our region that we cannot afford to waste.
In July, I and others argued that the Thames Valley needed greater ambition, clearer answers from Government and increased urgency. We now have a stronger basis on which to move forward.
But a political agreement between local civic leaders and Government is only the beginning. Its value will be measured by what follows, and deliberations remain over the optimum geography.
Including Buckinghamshire would align with the Governments proposed geography for co-ordinated strategic planning over at least 20 years under a Spatial Development Strategy (SDS) and accompanying Board. This co-ordination at scale would be responsible for addressing housing needs, co-ordinate strategic infrastructure, improve the environment and climate resilience while working together to grow the regional economy.
The Chamber continues to see value in that wider geography. As the agreed footprint moves forward, collaboration with Buckinghamshire should remain a priority, and much of that sits with devolution ministers to set out the case.
Our business and economic relationships will continue to cross whichever boundaries appear on the map. The Chamber has been quick to point out that working across traditional boundaries at scale has already been adopted. Region wide planning for skills development and education, inward investment led at a Thames Valley level by the Chamber for many years, and other key projects such as Western Rail Link to Heathrow which require scale to influence national decisions.
Government has set out an ambition to transfer more responsibility for transport, housing, planning and skills, alongside a stronger financial foundation for regional leadership. The direction is towards decisions being taken closer to the places affected by them, supported by institutions capable of delivering. Being part of an Accredited network of 51 Chambers of Commerce we have the opportunity to learn from the fast-tracked devolved arrangements. My counterpart Chamber CEOs across the regions have played an active part in shaping the priorities for the business communities that they serve.
For the Thames Valley, the principle is compelling. A region that attracts investment, supports growing businesses and creates employment should have greater capacity to reinvest in the conditions that sustain that success.
Businesses will judge progress through their experience: whether people can reach employment more easily; whether training meets their needs; whether housing supports recruitment; whether infrastructure enables investment; and whether decisions become clearer and quicker.
Practically that means developing a shared economic plan for the Thames Valley with a manageable number of priorities, clear responsibilities and visible milestones. It means building the capability to turn investment propositions into deliverable projects. And it means maintaining cooperation when difficult choices emerge, as they inevitably will.
The Chamber can bring employers, universities, colleges and civic partners together around practical opportunities. Our work on skills, international trade and investment gives us a foundation for contributing evidence, identifying barriers and helping develop solutions.
Devolution is no panacea, but I strongly believe we have the foundations set, and a commitment from the business community and anchor institutions to play their part.
Paul Britton, CEO, Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce
