A lack of devolution has been described as “the elephant in the room” in delivering economic growth in the Solent’s coastal cities.
By next year there are expected to be 18 different deals across England which give areas certain powers normally controlled by central government.
Southampton biggest city in the country not to receive devolution
Southampton City Council’s cabinet member for economic growth said Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham had highlighted to her that the Hampshire city was the biggest in the country not to receive devolution.
Councillor Sarah Bogle (Lab) said most endeavours to boost financial prosperity in the region would be “much easier” if there were devolved powers.
Bogle: Two different views are not reconcilable
Councillor Bogle said,
“I do think the elephant in the room unfortunately is devolution because there is just two different views and they are not reconcilable.
“That’s the political problem, which eventually will get resolved at some point but it’s been dragging on far too long.
“We just need to deal with it because certainly from most of the people I talk to in business and more broadly in all sectors they all basically say it’s obvious, it’s got to be around roughly the Solent or at least the coastal cities because there is a very unique set of challenges and unique set of opportunities in this part of the world.”
Central Gov no longer providing LEPs with core funding
Councillor Bogle was speaking at a Southampton City Council scrutiny committee meeting where members were discussing a report on the integration of the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) into a joint approach alongside Portsmouth City Council and Isle of Wight Council.
The committee was told central government was no longer providing the business-led LEPs with core funding from the end of the month.
The core functions, which include promoting economic growth and job creation, will be taken on by local authorities.
Engage with business leaders
The remit for the councils is to engage with business leaders and representative bodies, provide strategic economic planning and deliver government programmes.
The joint board for the three unitary authorities will consist of their respective leaders and chief executives.
Southampton will take the political lead
Portsmouth City Council will be the accountable body, while Southampton City Council will take the political lead, the committee heard.
A report said Hampshire County Council is pressing ahead on its own integration plan for the rest of the county. Councillor Bogle said they would still work together very closely.
Discussing the integration of the LEP functions, she said,
“I think what this is an opportunity to do is try out some things that could actually help us with our thinking and approaches to devolution and sort of almost set up things that might then help lead us on that road which I am sure will be littered with obstacles.”
Bogle: Skills probably the easiest area to progress
Councillor Bogle said skills was an area she hoped could see quick progress under the new arrangement.
She added,
“That is probably the area where we already have a lot of cooperation across the boundaries and probably the easiest one to progress.”
Solent Partners
Solent LEP has created an alternative company, Solent Partners, which will be a delivery partner for the local authorities.
Southampton City Council cabinet members are expected to sign off a series of recommendations to progress the integration at a meeting on Tuesday, 19th March 2024, before it comes before full council the following day.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is part of. Read here to find about more about how that scheme works on the Island. Some alterations and additions may have been made by News OnTheWight. Ed
