The Isle of Wight Council last night (1st October 2025) voted for a new regional tier of government for Hampshire and the Solent.
A total of 26 councillors backed a recommendation to approve ‘in principle’ the the establishing of a new Hampshire and Solent Mayoral Combined County Authority, with nine voting against it.
English devolution plans
The settlement agreed to is part of the government’s English devolution plans, described by Whitehall as the greatest transfer of power out of Westminster to England’s regions this century.
Six areas of England were admitted onto the government’s Devolution Priority Programme fast track in February, including Hampshire and the Solent, Cumbria and Norfolk and Suffolk.
“Unlocking investment, infrastructure and economic growth”
A full council report prepared in advance of last night’s meeting said,
“The English Devolution White Paper, which preceded the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, outlined the government’s plans to extend and expand powers for existing mayors, while completing the map of English devolution.
“The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill introduced on 10th July 2025 defines the roles, responsibilities, powers, duties and functions of mayors and the future Mayoral Combined County Authority (MCCA).
“The Bill establishes a new form of government in England, the Strategic Authority (which includes Combined Authorities and Combined County Authorities, alongside the Greater London Authority) to lead regions.
“Strategic Authorities will be responsible for unlocking investment, infrastructure and economic growth across larger geographies, while local authorities will continue to be responsible for the critical daily services residents rely on, leading the reform of local public services, and improving local neighbourhoods.”
Benefits of devolution
The document provided a number of examples of what devolution will give Mayoral Strategic Authorities: funding for local leaders to target priorities in their areas, skills and employment provision, more housing and investment in local business support and innovation.
It said that if the Isle of Wight Council does not agree to the creation of the Hampshire and Solent MCCA, the body ‘will not be established’.
That would mean no Hampshire and Solent mayoral election next year or devolved powers and funding to the region, the report added.
However, it also noted that ‘resolving not to consent’ could result in the government stepping in and imposing a Strategy Authority across the area.
A recording of the meeting has been uploaded to the council’s YouTube channel. You can watch the video below.
Article edit
12.10pm 6th Oct 2025
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
