Plans for a large combined authority for the region are stalling

If you have ever been picked last for a sports team, or not invited to a party, you might know how the Borough of Swindon feels right now.

The government wants district and borough councils to be scrapped to make way for larger combined authorities, many of which will be run by mayors.

The issue for Swindon, however, is that some of the council leaders in Berkshire and Oxfordshire do not want Swindon to join them in a Thames Valley authority, arguing the geography does not work.

Swindon Borough Council leader Gary Sumner said: "It's like not being invited to the party with the popular kids."

The leader of Oxfordshire County Council Tim Bearder said: "With no offence to my friends in Wiltshire, you are not in the Thames Valley."

The government wants most areas of England to be under a mayoral authority, promising each area a greater say on how money should be spent as well as more power to unlock growth.

Under current plans Swindon would be included in the Thames Valley, which Sumner said would be good for the region.

"Swindon is a vast economic powerhouse in a potential Thames Valley devolution deal," he said.

"This is about coming together for growth we can pitch for infrastructure funds that can unlock investment in our town centre."

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Conservative Sumner also said Swindon could help rural Oxfordshire councils reach a housing target under spatial development strategy by agreeing to allocate more land for housing in the town centre.

"Oxfordshire don't want their green fields covered in houses," he said.

"We've got brownfield sites that could deliver thousands and thousands of homes, at pace".

However, Bearder said: "It is not something you can use as a bargaining chip to get into a Mayoral authority."

Plans are stalling , with some council leaders arguing against Swindon being involved.

"Perhaps they don't like the cut of Swindon's jib," said Sumner. "Perhaps they think they're too good for us.

"I'm really proud of our town and I'm upset when people think less of us and that's how it feels with two ends of the Thames Valley."

Windsor and Maidenhead council leaders also objected to the most recent plans, partly on the basis that a Foundation Strategic Authority was being proposed, instead of one run by a Mayor .

But on Swindon, Liberal Democrat Bearder said: "I don't think its a good fit. You would have to rearrange all the boundaries."

It is hoped under combined authorities, mayor and deputy mayors would also oversee things like the police and fire services - but currently Swindon's services operate in Wiltshire.

"It makes sense to have the set-up with Swindon staying in Wiltshire," Bearder said.

Meanwhile, Wiltshire Council leaders are looking to form a Wessex Mayoral Authority with nearby Somerset, Dorset and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.

Some leaders across Oxfordshire and Berkshire are keen on Swindon being involved.

Labour leader of Oxford City Council Susan Brown said it was "vital" Swindon was part of the Thames Valley.

"We're incredibly closely connected in terms of our economies," she said.

For a plan to be submitted to government, it needs approval from all parties across affected councils.

"It has to be unanimous and I will only do that when it is right," said Bearder.

Councils are waiting to hear what the next steps will be but elsewhere in the country local government reorganisation has been paused .

Sumner said he would continue to make the case for Swindon, hoping other leaders will have a change of heart.

"We need the Prime Minister to say, "If you want to see it happen, welcome Swindon," he said.

"This is the only thing that is going to get it across the line."

There are also discussions about whether or not Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes would be part of the same group.

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