Swindon Borough Council is carefully assessing its options if it wants to throw in its lot with other councils in order to get greater powers.

But if it decides that it should combine with its neighbouring Wiltshire Council, then it will also have to become partners with the authorities from Dorset and Somerset.

The government is offering greater powers over transport, strategic planning and infrastructure, economic development and training and skills to ‘strategic authorities’ with elected Mayors – but these should be, it says, about 1.5 million people strong, meaning most upper-tier councils will need join partnerships.

Wiltshire Council has announced that it, along with its partners in Dorset and Somerset will write to the government asking t for the Heart of Wessex partnership to be included in plans for devolution settlements.

Swindon has previously said it is still considering its options, and that it might make sense to look more towards Oxfordshire and Reading than rural counties further from London.

After Wiltshire Council’s announcements , the leader of Swindon Borough Council, Councillor Jim Robbins said: “We are keen to consider all the options open to us in light of the local government reforms as we need to make the best decision that benefits our local residents and businesses. Devolution will help us unlock even greater economic benefits for Swindon and support our contribution to the government’s growth targets.

“Our strong economy and location mean we are seen as an ideal partner to join potential strategic authorities in the region. We have had discussions about what being part of a Heart of Wessex Mayoral Strategic Authority could offer, but we have also proactively assessed the merits of working with neighbouring councils looking east along the Thames Valley corridor which is where our business leaders also think the greatest opportunities lie.

“Other options are also open to us. The important thing is that we don’t rush a decision as we have dance partners to choose from. We need to make sure we pick the right ones.”

Even as they endorsed the Heart of Wessex proposal, Wiltshire Councillors were somewhat reluctant about the idea. Council leader Councillor Richard Clewer said: “The government has made it clear that if strategic authorities are going to maximise the funding opportunities available, devolution deals will require a mayor.

“We can either look now to create a Mayoral Strategic Authority in a geographical footprint that works for Wiltshire, which I believe the Heart of Wessex does, or wait and be forced into an authority in a few years that may not suit our needs.”

Cllr Robbins added that in the meantime things won’t change: “We will continue to have a close working relationship with Wiltshire Council and all the partners we jointly work with across both local authorities.”

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