Devolution

On Wednesday 5 February, the Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner announced that Hampshire and the Isle of Wight (referred to by the government as Hampshire and the Solent) had been accepted onto the government's Devolution Priority Programme as a fast-track to delivering devolution for the area.

Devolution is the transfer of powers and funding from national to local government. The aim is that decisions are made closer to the local people, communities and businesses they affect.

Through devolution, the government’s aim is for mayoral combined authorities to be created in all regions across England. These authorities, led by an elected Mayor for a population of at least 1.5 million people, would be responsible for setting the key strategic vision for a region as well as having powers and responsibilities for areas such as strategic planning, transport policy, economic development and skills and employment support.

The Ministry of Housing and Local Government published its plans for devolution and local government reorganisation in England in December in its English Devolution White Paper.

As a result of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight being accepted on the Devolution Priority Programme, the county council elections due to take place in May will be deferred. An election for a Hampshire Mayor will take place in May 2026.

What is the English Devolution White Paper?

The English Devolution White Paper is the government’s statement of their plans to reform local government. This includes a wide range of proposals on devolution but also wider plans for local government reorganisation and changes to local audit.

What is devolution?

In England, devolution is the transfer of powers and funding from national to local government. It is important because it ensures that decisions are made closer to the local people, communities and businesses they affect.

What is the Devolution Priority Programme?

The Devolution Priority Programme is for areas who wish to move towards devolution at pace. The Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution has also outlined that participants must also have local agreement to move forward around a sensible geographical footprint. The programme is for areas wishing to establish a Mayoral Combined Authority. This will be with a view to inaugural mayoral elections in May 2026.

The four upper tier authorities across Hampshire and Isle of Wight - Hampshire County Council, Isle of Wight Council, Portsmouth City Council and Southampton City Council - formally requested to be included in the government’s Devolution Priority Programme and this request has been accepted.

How can I have my say?

The government has launched consultations on proposals to establish mayoral combined authorities or mayoral combined county authorities in six areas, as part of its commitment to widen devolution.  

Local residents, businesses and organisations in Basingstoke and Deane are invited to have their say on the proposal for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight (referred to as Hampshire and the Solent in the consultation).

The consultation runs from Monday 17 February to Sunday 13 April and considers questions such as the proposed geographies and how the mayoral combined (county) authorities will operate. 

To have your say and find out more visit Hampshire and the Solent devolution - GOV.UK

When will we elect a Mayor for Hampshire, Southampton, Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight?

Elections for a new regional Mayor will be held in May 2026.

What will the new Mayor do?

The new regional Mayor will be given powers and funding from government to coordinate and drive improvement in our region with a particular focus on economic growth, improving transport connectivity, investment in infrastructure and setting the strategic planning framework for the area. They will also represent and champion the region, working with government, nationally and internationally.

What is the role of a Mayor compared to a council leader?

A Mayor of a strategic authority is a directly elected leader of a geographical region. Many areas across England already have Mayors, including London, Greater Manchester and West Yorkshire.

As part of its plans for devolution, the government believes that Mayors should have a unique role which would allow them to focus fully on devolved responsibilities such as transport and economic development.

Council leaders would be expected to continue to focus on leading their areas and delivering vital services for their communities. However, council leaders would be expected to work closely with directly elected Mayors in their areas.

Who will the new Mayor be?

Elections for the new regional Mayor would be held in May 2026 with residents across Hampshire, Southampton, Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight eligible to vote. The Mayor will be elected for a four-year term.

Does this mean Hampshire, Southampton, Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight councils are merging?

No, the new Mayoral Strategic Authority is a regional level of government which will primarily take on roles currently held by national government departments. Local councils will continue to exist and deliver the services the county and district councils currently provide. The government is separately making changes to the setup of local councils – see Local Government Reorganisation FAQs below – but this is not related to setting up a Mayoral Strategic Authority.