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Solent Devolution

Solent Devolution arose after the original idea for a Southern Powerhouse faded, following a division between North and South Hampshire.

Now made up of the Isle of Wight, Southampton City Council and Portsmouth City Council, the Solent Devolution vision is to bring the areas together in a hope to benefit from the ability to collect 100% business rates, in place of the regional settlement grants that are being withdrawn by central government.

After the Conservative councillors took control of the Isle of Wight council in January 2017, the Devolution deal was scrapped as the Conservatives said they “wanted nothing to do with Portsmouth and Southampton”.

19, July 2023·2 min read

Lora Peacey-Wilcox pushes back on Government’s Southern Powerhouse plans

Isle of Wight council leader, Lora Peacey-Wilcox, challenges pan-Hampshire authority plans, prioritising local 'Island Deal'

Spinnaker Tower from the water with Steve Pitt

26, June 2023·2 min read

Portsmouth City Leader questions Government backing of Hampshire’s ‘Southern Powerhouse’

Portsmouth City Council leader voices discontent over the government-backed Hampshire devolution deal announced last week

23, June 2023·2 min read

Vision for a ‘Southern Powerhouse’ rekindled as ‘County Deal’ takes shape, says Hants CC

The idea of the Isle of Wight being part of a 'Southern Powerhouse' is back on the cards following a 'statement of intent' from central Government

5, October 2018·4 min read

Gov scraps Solent Devolution bid … without telling all three councils, says Pompey and Soton (updated)

The Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton councils bid for a Solent Devolution to Government. Pompey and Soton say the government have scrapped it ... without telling the three councils involved. IWC responds. Full details ...

27, February 2018·3 min read

Plans for a Southern Powerhouse could be back on the table

The leader of Hampshire County Council has written to 11 district council leaders to “Re-engage and return to the original prospectus for a Combined Authority for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, together with the two LEPs and two National Parks".

1, August 2017·2 min read

Isle of Wight MP raises question about future plans for Combined Authorities (updated)

MP Bob Seely has asks where the Secretary of State stands on combined authorities. Previously the Solent Deal was declared ‘dead in the water’ because the Island Conservatives did not want to part of a combined authority with Southampton and Portsmouth.

26, January 2017·1 min read

Merger between Isle of Wight and Hampshire being considered by Conservatives, claim Indies (updated)

The leader of the Indies says it's understood a meeting is being held to discuss the possible merger of Isle of Wight and Hampshire councils. The Leader gives his response.

26, January 2017·4 min read

Solent Deal dead after Conservatives ‘want nothing to do with Portsmouth and Southampton’ (Updated)

A week after the Isle of Wight Conservatives took power at the council, the Solent Devolution deal has been killed off. Here's what we know so far, as the story develops.

21, December 2016·1 min read

Solent Devolution Deal ‘left in the in-tray’ for ‘foreseeable future’

Sounds like plans for the Solent Devolution deal are not going to be forthcoming from the Government in the immediate future.

Andrew Turner - PMQs - IWC finance - 3 Feb 2016

30, November 2016·1 min read

MP asks Chancellor whether the Isle of Wight deserves extra support (updated)

Isle of Wight MP, Andrew Turner, asked the Chancellor whether he agreed the Island deserves extra support from the Government due of additional challenges.

25, November 2016·2 min read

Conservatives lobby government to block financial help to the Isle of Wight say Indies

The Island Independents say it's become clear that the Conservative councillors have no wish to support Islanders and are only interested in taking power and making cuts.

25, October 2016·3 min read

Formal application for Solent Combined Authority being submitted to Government

A formal application for a Solent Combined Authority is being submitted to government after all of the councils involved approved the plans.

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