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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to benefit from the ability to collect 100% business rates, in place of the regional settlement grants that are being withdrawn by central government.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”.

12, February 2016·2 min read

‘Devolution’ councils vote against having a mayor

The Minister for devolution asked the Hampshire and IW partnership to agree that devolved powers should be given to a new elected ‘metro mayor’ for the area. They voted against the idea.

20, October 2016·11 min read

After devolution vote defeat Island may end up with nothing warns leader (updated)

Although the Isle of Wight council Executive could over-rule the decision at their meeting next week, leader of the council, Jonathan Bacon, warned that the deal being offered by the Government may now be withdrawn, leaving the Isle of Wight with nothing.

17, October 2016·6 min read

Call for devolution ‘pre-nuptials’ is pointless if plans are blocked, says Leader of the Isle of Wight council

Cllr Bob Seely stated this week that 'pre-nuptials' are vital before entering into discussions about the Solent Devolution. The Leader of the council, Jonathan Bacon, has responded says if Full Council rejects the Combined Authority then the process is stopped in its tracks and they won’t even get to the 'pre-nuptial' stage.

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.

8, September 2016·2 min read

Council Leader denies being pushed into Devolution Deal

The Leaders says that whilst he doesn't feel pushed into accepting a devolution deal, "there is nothing else on offer from government".

19, October 2016·2 min read

Council leader hits back at MP in Solent Devolution row

Promises of help for the Isle of Wight after the Island's MP voted for the cuts in funding earlier this year have come to nothing says Jonathan Bacon, who believes staying at the Devolution table where they know there is the chance of money is the best thing to do.

Andrew Turner at House of Commons - 11 Jan 2016

19, October 2016·3 min read

Council should not ‘Marry in Haste – Repent at Leisure’ says Isle of Wight MP

The Isle of Wight MP, Andrew Turner, says he's convinced that he can "negotiate a better deal than the one currently on the table - whether that be with the current Solent partners or perhaps with Hampshire".

29, February 2016·2 min read

Devolution of Hampshire and Isle of Wight as a whole, now under threat (Updated)

Hampshire and Isle of Wight councils came together and said 'Yes' prior to the Devolution Bill. After meetings at Westminster on Friday, it appears there might be a North/South split. The repercussions could be significant.

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.

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 ...

16, May 2016·2 min read

Hampshire county council’s plans labelled ‘localism in reverse’

Seven key councils in Hampshire say the proposals put forward by Hampshire County Council is "localism in reverse".

22, September 2016·2 min read

Indies claim IW Tories working with Hampshire to derail Solent Deal

The Island Independents claim IW Conservative councillors plan to derail the Solent Deal so the Isle of Wight can be absorbed into a Conservative-led Hampshire and Isle of Wight.

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