The two local councils are pursuing different devolution deals
A 15-year partnership between Swindon and Wiltshire may be at an end, as the local authorities responsible for economic growth are charting different courses.
Wiltshire Council is seeking a ‘devolution’ agreement with the predominantly rural counties to its south, while Swindon is eager to align itself with the high-tech, post-industrial powerhouse that is the Thames Valley.
Wiltshire, which had an economy valued at £14.4bn in 2022, had hoped that Swindon, with its £11.4bn economy in the same year, would join it in the Wessex Partnership, which it is establishing alongside Dorset, Somerset, and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.
However, Swindon’s gaze is directed eastwards along the M4 – or the Great Western Main Line – towards Oxford (£7.3bn) and Reading (£9.4b).
In 2023, the Thames Valley was recognised as the UK’s fastest-growing regional economy outside of London, earning it the government’s label of a ‘turbo economy’.
The first casualty of these new devolution aspirations is the Swindon and Wiltshire Business and Growth Unit, which has shuttered just a year after its inaugural meeting.
The Swindon and Wiltshire Business and Growth Unit was established in November 2024 following Conservative chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s decision to disband Local Enterprise Partnerships – including the Swindon & Wiltshire LEP – in his 2023 Spring Budget, thereby returning responsibility for economic growth to local councils.
The Swindon & Wiltshire LEP was formed by the coalition government in 2011.
While its board included councillors from both local authorities, LEPs were designed to be ‘business led,’ with industry leaders such as Paul Moorby from car parking software company Chipside and Paul Johnson from engineering giant Knorr-Bremse chairing the board.
The organisation played a crucial role in assisting Salisbury’s business sector after the Novichok incident in 2018 and supported Swindon when Honda revealed its manufacturing closure plans.
The LEP also secured investment for significant improvements to M4 junctions 16 and 17, along with enhancements to the A350 at Chippenham.
Additional achievements included developing Porton Science Park near Salisbury, launching the Business Cyber Centre at Chippenham, and transforming the Mansion House in Corsham into an incubation hub for digital and innovation enterprises.
This week, both councils have confirmed the closure of the Business and Growth Unit.
Cllr Helen Belcher, Wiltshire Council’s cabinet member for economic development, regeneration and assets, said: “Wiltshire Council and Swindon Borough Council jointly agreed to close the Swindon & Wiltshire Economic Advisory Board as both authorities progress with our respective devolution plans for Wessex and the Thames Valley.
“This move reflects our shared commitment to ensuring that local business voices continue to shape policy, while allowing each area to align more closely with its emerging devolution arrangements.
“We are currently developing a forward programme for business engagement, which will include the establishment of a dedicated business board to ensure a strong and influential business voice for Wiltshire.
“In the meantime, we remain fully committed to engaging regularly with our business community through our Place Partnership Boards, local chambers, business representation groups, our Business Intelligence and Network Group, the Rural Economy Sector Group, and through direct relationships with strategic employers via our Wiltshire 100 programme.”
A representative from Swindon Borough Council said: “Swindon Borough Council is adopting a more direct and proactive approach to economic development.”
They acknowledged geographical realities, noting: “The reality is that economic geography does not always respect administrative boundaries.”
The council outlined its strategic positioning: “By aligning with the Thames Valley Mayoral Strategic Authority, we are positioning Swindon alongside Oxford and Reading.”
“This partnership acknowledges that our strongest economic links – particularly in tech, life sciences, and advanced manufacturing – flow along the M4 corridor.”
The spokesperson added: “This is a deliberate move to secure the benefits of devolution. Rather than a broad, localised approach, we are shifting towards a high-impact model that allows us to compete globally.
“Aligning with the Thames Valley ecosystem enables us to disrupt the status quo and present a unified, investable proposition to the market.”
