Royal Borough councillors want to have ‘a seat at the table’ in council devolution discussions with the Government – but are not committing to a mayoral authority just yet.
Devolution allows local authorities to have more control over their region’s services through an elected mayor and by receiving more funding from the Government.
At a cabinet meeting on Tuesday (November 25), councillors said they want to begin discussions with the Government and explore what the benefits and risks would be if the Royal Borough had an elected mayor.
Cllr Lynne Jones (Ind, Old Windsor) said: “Whether you agree or don’t [with the mayoral model] you need to have a seat at the table to explore the benefits or not, of this happening. If you haven’t got a seat at the table, then you don’t have a voice.”
A legal agreement for Windsor and Maidenhead to become part of the devolution programme will only happen if the council thinks this is ‘the right thing’ for the area.
Cllr Simon Werner (Lib Dem, Pinkneys Green), the leader of the council, said: “I’m not a fan of these combined authority mayors, it’s putting far too much power in the hands of one person.
“I like to work in a collaborative way with lots of different opinions helping us make the right decisions.
“However sadly, it is clear that both the current Labour Government and the previous Conservative Government are really pushing for these mayoral models.
“It’s not going to go away.”
He said regions where devolution has already happened have received ‘significant amounts of money’ from the Government over the past few years.
As such, the mayor model might be ‘the only game in town’ if the Borough wants to achieve its goals.
Cllr Werner said: “At the end of the day, if we want to invest in our infrastructure, in social housing, invest in our young people in jobs and training, then at the moment – and for the foreseeable future – mayors are the only game in town.”
Other councillors also raised their concerns about the mayor model, but also said it could be beneficial for the borough.
Cllr Mark Wilson (Lib Dem, Eton and Castle) said: “I too have concerns about the one-person model, but hopefully they can bring about a consensus.
“I am very excited about this as an opportunity. I see it as a potential to unlock significant investment in the Thames Valley.
“We have seen the region lagging since 2020, not helped by the disaster that is Brexit.
“So, I think it is important to return to sustainable growth very quickly.”
He added that RBWM needs to make sure it is ‘well-positioned in the queue’ when it comes to devolution.
‘Closer ties’ and a more holistic approach could be formed with the NHS, Thames Valley Police, as well as other services in the region, Cllr Wilson said.
By contrast, Cllr Richard Coe (Lib Dem, Riverside) said he is ‘very opposed’ to the sort of mayoral system in which ‘one person carries all the money and power.’
However, he agreed that the council should first find out what having a mayoral authority would mean for Windsor and Maidenhead.
Resident Andrew Hill addressed the cabinet and asked why the option to negotiate with the Mayor of London in these devolution discussions was excluded.
Mr Hill said people in Maidenhead rely on TfL and London’s economy so for ‘real and immediate’ benefits they should be able to vote in the London mayoral elections.
Cllr Werner said: “The direction from the Government very much is that they’re looking to fill the holes… in those areas that don’t currently have a mayoral system.
“There is no appetite from the Mayor of London to make Windsor and Maidenhead part of London.”
