OnTheWight always welcomes a Letter to the Editor to share with our readers – unsurprisingly they don’t always reflect the views of this publication. If you have something you’d like to share, get in touch and of course, your considered comments are welcome below.
Isle of Wight council leader, Phil Jordan, replies to Stewart Blackmore’s letter published earlier today. Ed
Hi Stewart,
I hope you are also safe and well and in good health. It’s really good to hear from you.
You may not be aware, but we (myself and Wendy [Perera]) have been meeting over the past year (or thereabouts) with Southampton and Portsmouth Leaders and CEOs in this approach which, to some extent, has come out of the cessation of the Solent LEP and the disaggregation of the remaining funds held by the SLEP.
Indications from Government at this stage are there could be a Solent ‘type’ devolution deal to be had. Previous indications suggested the same potential.
My counterparts in Southampton and Portsmouth are meeting with the District and Borough Leaders and I am meeting with the new Leader of Hampshire next week. Portsmouth and Southampton Leaders have met with the Hampshire Leader already.
Pursuing a devolved powers deal
The spirit is to pursue this devolved powers deal and the three Authorities are as one in this regard. You will be aware there are some complexities with Hampshire and their D&B councils, of course. The current thinking is for the three authorities to create the devolved area deal, but we will have to see how Government sees the geography of our region to find the best pathway forward.
I will of course be replying to the Deputy Prime Minister shortly. I am sure both Richard [Quigley] and Joe [Robertson] will be able to assist in our endeavours as we move forward.
Island Deal lacking
As you say, there was never any Island Deal and never any real potential for substantial financial adjustments from the previous Government.
The Isle of Wight Council produced extensive and compelling data to demonstrate to Government the costs of Island detachment and we met the Ministers at the time on a number of occasions – eventually believing Government had accepted our ‘claim’.
The final fiscal response turned out to be a one off payment of £3m. We expected an annual uplift of at least £11m.
Working towards improving the Island position
Be assured we are working towards improving the Island position and with my counterparts, and our new MP’s, are confident we can deliver a deal that places the Island as equal beneficiary partners in a brave new world of devolved area deals.
Very best, Phil
