Latest news on plans to develop a Southern Powerhouse from the Isle of Wight council, in their own words. Ed
The future of Hampshire and Isle of Wight local government was in focus at Westminster on Monday this week as the area’s devolution bid hosted a parliamentary reception.
The event, sponsored by North East Hampshire MP Ranil Jayawardena, was an opportunity for MPs to hear more about the ambitious plans and speak to the partners involved.
Eleven MPs attended
Despite a full parliamentary schedule, 11 of the area’s 19 MPs attended the two-hour event where they met with leaders and chief executives from the partners as well as representatives from the emergency services and business community. Further backing and support has been expressed by other MPs who could not make the date due to diary pressures.
Mr Jayawardena, chair of the newly established Hampshire and Isle of Wight All Party Parliamentary Group, said:
“It was a pleasure to come together to celebrate the significant progress on the devolution deal for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. The fact that so many MPs are supportive is testimony to the widespread support and benefits that we see in devolving powers to local areas. I look forward to working together to create a more prosperous Hampshire and Isle of Wight, and increasing our contribution to the success of the UK as a whole.”
Bacon: “A valuable opportunity”
Isle of Wight Council leader, Councillor Jonathan Bacon, said:
“The council was represented at this week’s reception by our chief executive and it proved a valuable opportunity to discuss the devolution proposals and our hopes for the Island with MPs from across the area.
“The keystone of these proposals is taking local control of finance previously distributed by central government and allocating the funds to local authorities in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight using a fairer system of distribution.
“It is important to remind people that the combined authority proposal does not affect the sovereignty of member authorities such as the Isle of Wight Council, nor does it involve the creation of a new complex bureaucracy, taking powers from local areas – nor handing over of powers to any other body, without agreement. It is based upon gaining local control of matters previously dealt with by central government.
“The progress of any deal is based upon the 15 local authorities involved, working together for a common, localised benefit – but in doing so recognising that the Isle of Wight has particular issues that must be supported. We look forward to continuing to work together productively on this deal for the mutual benefit of all authorities involved.”
The proposals
Hampshire and the Isle of Wight’s devolution proposals are set out in a prospectus submitted to central government on behalf of 15 councils, two local enterprise partnerships and two national park authorities. The bid has also received the support of Hampshire Constabulary and Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service.
Should the proposals be successful, the ambitious nature of the devolution deal and number of partners involved mean it could become a blueprint for cities and regions across the country to follow.
Four key themes
Hampshire and the Isle of Wight’s proposals focus around four key themes: boosting business and skills for work; accelerating housing delivery; investing in infrastructure; and transforming public services.
Within these themes, projects will deliver on the government’s productivity plan and rural productivity plan and ensure: more homes are built; more efficient local planning; further expansion of broadband; better mobile connectivity; improved transport connections; a more highly-skilled workforce with employers setting the skills agenda locally; higher employment and better wages.
Image: anotherphotograph under CC BY 2.0
