Hampshire County Council has approved a significant move to join the Government’s Priority Programme for devolution and reorganise the county’s local government structures, aiming to enhance the future for Hampshire’s residents and businesses.
During the Full County Council meeting on Thursday, January 9, followed by the Authority’s Cabinet meeting on Friday, January 10, the Council agreed to request inclusion in the Government’s fast-track devolution plans.
Currently, key decisions about Hampshire are made by central Government and Whitehall departments. Devolution would shift more decision-making powers and additional funding to Hampshire Authorities, providing greater local control over crucial areas such as education, transport, and health services. This change would empower residents to influence important matters and ensure robust local accountability.
As part of the devolution proposals, a Mayor would be elected in spring 2026 to lead a new Combined Authority, which would include Isle of Wight Council, Portsmouth City Council, and Southampton City Council. This follows the Authorities’ expression of interest submitted to the Deputy Prime Minister last summer.
The Mayor would advocate for the region’s interests to central Government. With over two million residents, 90,000 businesses, and an economy generating around £80 billion annually, the area is a significant economic powerhouse for the UK.
In addition to devolution, the County Council is committed to developing proposals for local government reorganisation. This would replace the current two-tier council system with new unitary councils, simplifying council operations and creating financially resilient councils that are more efficient and provide better value for taxpayers. Proposals for reorganisation must be submitted to the Government by Autumn 2025.
If the Government includes Hampshire in the fast-track devolution programme, the County Council elections scheduled for May would be postponed for 12 months. This delay would allow local areas to focus on preparing for devolution and reorganisation, enabling a Mayor to be elected in 2026 and delivering benefits to local communities as quickly as possible. The reorganisation is expected to be implemented by either April 2027 or April 2028.
Leader of Hampshire County Council, Councillor Nick Adams-King said:
“The proposal of devolution for the Hampshire and Solent area is truly exciting and the benefits it could bring to local residents and businesses are transformational. “
“At the same time as enabling us to take control of our future, devolution would attract millions of pounds into our region to help shape key policies and initiatives to enhance people’s quality of life and the growth opportunities of businesses. At the same time, we are being asked to bring forward proposals for local government reorganisation. It is vital that we take control of that process to ensure the outcome best suits the residents and businesses we serve.
“With final endorsement received today from the County Council’s Cabinet, we can now progress our work with Isle of Wight Council, Portsmouth City Council, Southampton City Council and our 11 district council partners in Hampshire to draw up plans for a single Combined Authority for the collective area of our four upper tier authorities, in line with our joint Expression of Interest submitted to Government last summer. We will also engage with key stakeholders such as businesses, the further and higher education sectors, National Parks, police, fire service, health and parish and town councils. If the County Council is accepted onto the Devolution Priority Programme Government will then lead a consultation with residents on the creation of a Mayoral Strategic Authority.
“I recognise and share the concern of many, however the pressing deadline to submit our devolution plans to Government means it makes absolute sense to seek permission for our upcoming elections to be postponed. It will give us the space and capacity to complete this important work with crystal clear attention to the crucial job at hand, while working collaboratively across political parties and engaging with local communities to secure the best possible deal for our residents.”
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