Slough, a town in Berkshire, is currently exploring the possibility of becoming part of Greater London amid a broad government initiative to reorganise local authorities. The Government's Devolution White Paper encourages reshaping smaller local councils into larger unitary authorities that will hold more powers locally rather than centrally from Westminster. This push for structural reform has put Slough, which has faced significant financial challenges, including a bankruptcy declaration in 2021 over a £760 million deficit, at the centre of discussions about its future governance.

The local council has been considering a range of options. These include merging with neighbouring councils in Berkshire such as Reading, Windsor, and Bracknell, joining Buckinghamshire, or most notably, merging with one of the London boroughs, particularly the London Borough of Hillingdon which borders Slough. There is even speculation about Slough potentially becoming a London borough in its own right. Senior councillors have emphasised Slough’s unique position and the need for any merger to place the town at the heart of decision-making, addressing pressing issues like debt and health inequalities. These discussions form part of an ambitious Government plan to consolidate local authorities into fewer but more powerful bodies, aiming for a transformative reorganisation by 2030.

The notion of Slough becoming part of Greater London is not without local support. A community-led proposal from former councillor Mewa S. Mann, co-signed by over twenty residents, highlights Slough’s intrinsic connection to London. The letter to Slough’s MP points out the strong daily commuter links to London, as well as cultural and economic ties, framing it as a natural extension of the capital rather than a detached town. This sentiment was echoed by London Mayor Sadiq Khan, who in recent comments welcomed the idea of Slough joining London. Khan referred to the historical growth of Greater London and stated he was “not surprised” by Slough's interest, expressing openness to discussions about expanding London’s boundaries. He described London’s growth over centuries and recognised the need to plan for such expansion thoughtfully.

This potential absorption of Slough into Greater London would represent the first significant boundary change since 1965, signalling a possible major shift in England’s local government geography. Analysts from institutions such as the London School of Economics note that the current configuration of London is not fixed and could evolve if both sides—the capital and Slough—are in agreement. The reorganisation could create larger, more resilient administrative entities better equipped to manage services and economic growth in a densely interconnected area. However, as yet, no formal negotiations have begun between Slough Borough Council and potential merger partners, and all considerations remain tentative.

The broader context of these discussions is rooted in the Government’s drive to empower local leaders by devolving greater administrative control and resources to unitary authorities. This policy aims to tackle inefficiencies and improve service delivery by creating larger local bodies. For Slough, this may mean a chance to overcome longstanding financial instability and benefit from closer integration with London’s economy and infrastructure networks. Yet, such a change would also raise questions about identity, governance, and local representation that will need careful management if such a merger proceeds.

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Source: Noah Wire Services