A major economic alliance in the South West has reached its conclusion after 15 years. The partnership between Swindon and Wiltshire is effectively over, as the two local authorities now pursue starkly different strategic futures through separate devolution agreements.
A Strategic Divergence Along the M4 Corridor
The split centres on competing visions for economic growth. Wiltshire Council is seeking a devolution deal with the more rural counties to its south, aiming to establish the 'Wessex Partnership' with Dorset, Somerset, and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. Wiltshire's economy was valued at £14.4 billion in 2022.
In contrast, Swindon Borough Council is looking eastwards, eager to align itself with the high-tech 'turbo economy' of the Thames Valley, which includes Oxford and Reading. Swindon's economy was worth £11.4 billion in the same year. The Thames Valley was recognised in 2023 as the UK's fastest-growing regional economy outside London.
The Immediate Casualty: Business and Growth Unit Closes
The first tangible result of this strategic divorce is the closure of the Swindon and Wiltshire Business and Growth Unit. It shut its doors just a year after its inaugural meeting in November 2024.
This unit was created after Conservative Chancellor Jeremy Hunt disbanded Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) in the 2023 Spring Budget. The move returned economic development responsibilities to local councils. The predecessor, the Swindon & Wiltshire LEP, was formed in 2011 and was business-led, with chairs from companies like Chipside and Knorr-Bremse.
The LEP's significant legacy includes:
- Supporting Salisbury's business sector after the 2018 Novichok incident.
- Assisting Swindon following Honda's manufacturing closure announcement.
- Securing investment for upgrades to M4 junctions 16 and 17 and the A350 at Chippenham.
- Developing Porton Science Park and the Business Cyber Centre in Chippenham.
- Transforming Corsham's Mansion House into a digital innovation hub.
Council Statements and Future Directions
Both councils confirmed the unit's closure this week. Councillor Helen Belcher, Wiltshire Council's cabinet member for economic development, stated the closure was a joint decision reflecting their respective devolution plans. She emphasised a continued commitment to business engagement through new boards and existing networks like the Wiltshire 100 programme.
A spokesperson for Swindon Borough Council outlined a new, more direct approach. "The reality is that economic geography does not always respect administrative boundaries," they noted, explaining the strategic shift. "By aligning with the Thames Valley Mayoral Strategic Authority, we are positioning Swindon alongside Oxford and Reading."
The spokesperson added that this alignment, particularly in tech, life sciences, and advanced manufacturing along the M4 corridor, is a deliberate move to secure devolution benefits and present a unified, globally competitive proposition.
The dissolution marks the end of a significant era of cross-border cooperation, with both authorities now betting their economic futures on different regional powerhouses.
