A consultation to seek the public’s views on proposals to form a Mayoral Combined Authority for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight has been launched by the government today and will run for eight weeks – until 13 April.
On 5 February, the Deputy Prime Minister confirmed Hampshire and the Isle of Wight as one of six new areas to join the government’s Devolution Priority Programme (DPP). Read the government’s press statement.
The government says the programme represents one of the largest ever single packages of mayoral devolution in England and will support the areas to become mayor-led strategic authorities with a new mayoral election by May 2026. View the full written ministerial statement.
Leader of Fareham borough Council, Councillor Simon Martin, said: “Devolution creates an opportunity to transfer funding and decision-making closer to our communities and away from Whitehall, so that local people have their say in the biggest decisions that affect them. Being part of the DPP means that Hampshire residents will see the greatest benefits and we will work with councils across the area to influence the changes and maximise the benefits for Fareham communities. Everyone is encouraged to take part in the government’s consultation to ensure their voice is heard in what is considered to be a once-in-a-generation opportunity.”
Accessing the consultation:
The full consultation document an be found online at the GOV.UK page: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/hampshire-and-the-solent-devolution.
Responses will be collected through citizenspace using the following link: https://consult.communities.gov.uk/lggc/hampshire-and-the-solent-devolution-consultation.
This consultation is in respect of the government’s consultation on devolution and not local government reorganisation which is an entirely separate matter.
