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to benefit from the ability to collect 100% business rates, in place of the regional settlement grants that are being withdrawn by central government.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

thumbs up

6, October 2016·4 min read

Solent Devolution: Over 70 per cent in favour following consultation

The plans for Solent Devolution will now go to the full council meetings for the three councils involved, ahead of each cabinet/executive making a decision on submitting a formal bid to government.

Derail

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.

ping pong

21, September 2016·2 min read

Solent Devolution: Leader deflects accusations in email ping-pong

Conservative councillor, Chris Whitehouse claims the '£30m pa for 30 years' Solent Deal is "not new or additional money". If true, the Leader of the council says it would undermine all the promises from the Government.

County Hall

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".

andrew turner westminster hall

7, September 2016·4 min read

MP raises concerns about Solent Devolution in Westminster

The Isle of Wight MP says the needs of Southampton, Portsmouth and the Island are disparate and he fears the views of the Isle of Wight council would be overruled leading to the Island losing out.

solent region google maps

25, August 2016·1 min read

Petition calls for a Referendum on Solent Devolution (updated)

A resident in Southsea has launched a UK Government and Parliament Petition calling for a Referendum over the plans for Solent Devolution.

glasses on table

18, July 2016·1 min read

Solent Devolution: Call for consultation to be postponed

Cllr Lumley has grave concerns over the draft Solent Devolution deal and is calling on councillors to support his motion asking the Executive to abandon the public consultation until there is more information available.

County Hall:

15, July 2016·1 min read

Solent Devolution in ‘best interests of the Isle of Wight’ agree Executive

The next stage is a public consultation which will feed back to the Executive by the autumn.

Boardroon table

1, July 2016·3 min read

Solent Devolution: Councils press ahead with combined authority proposals

The three local authorities hope this will bring them an extra £30m a year, for 30 years.

Boardroon table

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".

Plan C signage

28, March 2016·2 min read

Letter: If there’s no Devolution Deal, how do we resolve the Council’s financial crisis?

There's been much debate around the possibility of a Devolution Deal, be it with Hampshire or just the Solent region. One reader asks why we shouldn't fight for our own Devo Deal on the Island , similar to that of Cornwall?

County Hall:

16, March 2016·2 min read

Solent Devolution: Delay could have impact on financial deal says IWC leader

The Isle of Wight council leader urges the Government to make the devolution announcement as soon as possible to avoid any financial opportunities being lost.

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