Although devolution is a subject that has been discussed for many years under both Conservative and Independent/Alliance administrations at Isle of Wight council (OnTheWight has been reporting on it for ten years), it is clearly a subject that is still surrounded by a great deal of misunderstanding.
You only have to listen to the many debates in council meetings to realise that some people who are elected to represent Islanders haven’t quite grasped what it means for the council or how Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) are two totally different things.
OnTheWight has put together this guide to help readers and more importantly, those making decisions on our behalf (councillors), understand the situation a little better.
Devolution is happening, whether we like it or not
First some background. What is important to point out from the very beginning is that devolution is happening whether the council — or Islanders — like it or not.
However, it doesn’t mean the Isle of Wight is joining the Mainland.
Just before Christmas 2024, the Labour Government published a White Paper setting out their intention to devolve powers (ie. hand them down to councils) right across the country and to do so at the same time as re-organising local authorities (LGR) into Unitary Authorities.
Their idea is that there’s too much power centralised in London – and this should change and decisions about different parts of the country should be made in those places. (A more detailed description is below).
Could be considered as an ‘exceptional case’ in LGR
The Isle of Wight is already a Unitary Authority, it has been for 30 years, however the Government has stated that Unitary Authorities should have a population of at least 500,000.
As those who live on the Island know, the population here is just over 140,000, so some way off the 500,000 the Government mentions, however, the Deputy Prime Minister, Angela Rayner also acknowledged there may be exceptions to this and they would be dealt with on a case-by-case basis. The council leader, Phil Jordan, has said he is “confident and re-assured the Island will not change or merge with any mainland authority”.
He also stated on 26th February 2025,
“Government have asked for outline plans by 21st March 2025 from local authorities in the Solent area to change from two-tier authorities to single Unitary Authorities.
“None of this local government re-organisation work involves the Island directly as we are already a Unitary Authority.”
Other Isle of Wight councillors are not convinced by this however.
Leaders from the three other Mainland councils have already written to the Government to support the Isle of Wight’s position as a standalone Unitary Authority. They do not want to see it merged with a Mainland authority and understand the importance of its independence.
Devolution is nothing new
In February 2025, the Isle of Wight council was accepted onto the Government’s Priority Programme, ensuring an early seat around the Devolution negotiation table.
There are already at least twelve areas across the UK with devolution deals, which are headed up by Mayors.
These Mayors have varying degrees of control over transport, housing, economic development and adult education budgets. The Isle of Wight would not have its own Mayor, it would share the Mayor of the new ‘Hampshire and Solent Area’.
The councils will not merge
Devolution plans would see the formation of a Combined Authority of Strategic Partners, namely Isle of Wight, Hampshire, Southampton and Portsmouth, under the proposed banner of ‘Hampshire and Solent Area’.
This does not mean merging with other councils, Isle of Wight council would remain the same as it is now, as would Hampshire, Southampton and Portsmouth councils.
However, the leaders of those councils would come together in the Strategic Partnership (headed by a Mayor), and have more say over subjects such as transport and economic development in the region.
It’s understood that other services like planning, would remain under the council’s control, but the Mayor would have the power to ‘call-in’ planning ‘applications of strategic importance’.
When is it happening?
At time of writing, there has only been voting in relation to the Isle of Wight council asking to join the Priority Programme.
After a Full Council vote, this concluded by five members of the Cabinet voting to apply for Priority Programme status – putting the Island in the first batch of discussions. The Isle of Wight council is pushing for an exception to government reorganisation plans.
Devolution plans are expected to be brought to Full Council meeting in the autumn and there is currently a Government consultation on the subject which residents are encouraged to complete (although several flaws in this consultation have been brought to light by Isle of Wight East MP, Joe Robertson).
OnTheWight’s Devolution Guide
What is devolution?
Devolution is when the UK Government gives more control to local areas (Combined Authorities) so they can make decisions about things like transport and housing.
Instead of one-size-fits-all rules from London, local councils get to decide what works best in their area.
In England, this often involves creating combined authorities led by directly elected Mayors, sometimes called “Metro Mayors”.
Its purpose
- Give local areas more say over transport and economic development.
- Allow local leaders to tailor policy to local needs rather than depending on “one-size-fits-all” directives from Westminster.
- Potentially improve local services through focused investment and decision-making
Benefits
- Better coordination: Transport links (ferries, buses, roads) might get more attention and funding if overseen by a combined authority that prioritises the Island’s specific needs.
- Greater budget control: Local leaders could secure budgets targeted at the Isle of Wight’s tourism, infrastructure and healthcare challenges.
There are concerns that a mayor for the region will not fully represent the Isle of Wight.
What’s the difference between the Isle of Wight council and a regional Mayor?
The Isle of Wight council runs local services on the Island (schools, social care, roads). A regional Mayor is someone elected to lead a Combined Authority across several councils.
If the Island joined such a body, the regional Mayor would oversee larger issues like big transport projects or economic planning across the region.
How could having a regional Mayor help the Isle of Wight?
A regional Mayor might secure extra funding for things like ferry connections, local jobs and environmental projects.
They can also bring more attention to the Island’s unique challenges, like seasonal tourism fluctuations.
Could we lose our local identity if we join a Combined Authority?
It’s possible some feel the Island’s voice might be overshadowed in a larger combined authority.
However, local councillors and the council would still exist, and they’d continue to manage many day-to-day services on the Island.
The idea is that bigger, strategic projects are better handled together.
Is there a risk that we’d pay higher taxes?
Not necessarily. Most Combined Authority deals focus on devolving existing budgets rather than raising new taxes.
If any new levy is proposed for specific projects (like improving transport), it typically has to be agreed by local representatives.
What is Local government reorganisation (LGR)?
Local Government Reorganisation involves altering council structures—sometimes merging district councils into unitary authorities, or creating new combined authorities.
In England, many counties have debated or implemented reorganisations to save costs or streamline administration.
Impact on the Isle of Wight
- The Isle of Wight already has a single “Unitary Authority” (Isle of Wight council) responsible for most local services.
- The council leader is fighting for the Island to remain its own Unitary authority and not merge with any other councils.
Overall effect on everyday life
- Transport improvements: A regionally coordinated approach could improve ferry services, bus networks and road funding.
- Economic growth: More autonomy over budgets might help attract business and tourism investment.
- Service quality: Streamlining local services (e.g. waste management, social care) could lead to cost savings and potentially reinvestment in community services.
- Local representation: A risk that unique Island concerns might not always get enough focus if the Island is one part of a wider region—balanced, however, by having a mayor who must demonstrate success for the entire area.
