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.

From summer 2026, the Hampshire and the Solent Combined County Authority is set to be formally established. Work to establish this new authority is being led by the four upper tier authorities in the county - Hampshire County Council, Isle of Wight Council, Portsmouth City Council and Southampton City Council.

The new authority will get devolved powers from the government, allowing it to make more local decisions and direct investment across the region. Its responsibilities will include:

• Transport: Responsibility for developing and implementing integrated transport strategies that improve connectivity across the region.
• Skills and employment support: Authority over adult skills funding, driving upskilling opportunities and supporting pathways into high-quality employment.
• Housing and strategic planning: The power to prioritise and deliver new housing developments and support the delivery of affordable homes.
• Economic regeneration and development: The ability to attract and retain national and international investment ensuring the region capitalises on its economic strengths.
• Environment and climate change: Implement initiatives for the region to reduce carbon emissions, promote sustainability and protect natural habitats.
• Health and wellbeing: Work closely with local partners to reduce health inequalities and support healthier communities.
• Public Safety: Working with the Police and Crime Commissioner and the fire and rescue service, enhance safety by supporting collaborative approaches to emergency planning, community resilience and crime prevention.

Similar to what already happens in London and Greater Manchester, this authority would set the vision and policy for areas like strategic planning, transport, economic development and skills, with new unitary councils, created through local government reorganisation in Hampshire, delivering the services from April 2028.

An election for a Mayor for Hampshire and the Solent is set to take place in May 2028.

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 2028.

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 consulted on proposals to establish mayoral combined authorities or mayoral combined county authorities in six areas, as part of its commitment to widen devolution.  You can read the outcome of this consultation on the government’s website.

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

Elections for a new regional Mayor are expected be held in May 2028.

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 are expected to held in May 2028 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 the Local Government Reorganisation page and FAQs – but this is not related to setting up a Mayoral Strategic Authority.