Local politics often comes with jargon that can make it hard to follow.
Two terms in the headlines recently are devolution and local government reorganisation. They might sound alike, but they mean very different things.
OnTheWight has put together this simple explainer, to help readers understand the difference between the two changes that are taking place at the same time.
Devolution – handing down power
Devolution happens when central Government in Westminster gives local areas more control over money and decision-making.
It’s about allowing people closer to home to decide what’s best for their region, instead of waiting for London to call the shots.
A common version of this is a combined mayoral authority. Several councils group together, and residents elect a regional mayor. That mayor is given funds and powers to shape transport, housing, jobs and sometimes health.
A good example is Greater Manchester, where the mayor can set priorities for buses and housing investment across the whole region.
For the Isle of Wight, devolution would mean joining with other Hampshire councils under an elected mayor, with new powers for the whole area. The Isle of Wight Council would still exist and runs services as it currently does.
Think of it as head office (Westminster) deciding to let regional managers (local mayors) set their own budgets and plans.
Local government reorganisation – redrawing the map
Local government reorganisation is different. It doesn’t hand down new powers. Instead, it changes how councils themselves are arranged.
In England, we have a mix of county councils, district councils, unitary councils and parish councils. Reorganisation ‘tidies this up’, often by merging councils or replacing two layers with a single unitary authority.
Dorset is one example: its county and district councils were replaced by one unitary council to run all services.
On the Isle of Wight, we already have a single unitary authority (since 1995), so unless an exception is made, local government reorganisation could mean merging the Island with a Mainland council (as the Government has stated an area requires a minimum population of 500,000 for any new unitary authority under the reorganisation process).
This is more like restructuring a company: not changing what it does, but merging departments to simplify how it’s run.
Why it matters
Devolution is about who makes the decisions and giving areas more control.
Local government reorganisation is about who delivers the services and how councils are mapped out.
The two ideas can overlap, but they are not the same thing.
Devolution vs Local Government Reorganisation
Devolution Local Government Reorganisation About who makes decisions About how councils are structured Power moves from Westminster to local areas Councils are merged or reshaped Often involves a mayor leading a combined authority Often creates unitary councils (one council doing everything) Example: Greater Manchester Mayor controlling transport and housing Example: Dorset moving from county and district councils to one unitary council For the Isle of Wight: could mean joining a Hampshire-wide combined authority under an elected mayor For the Isle of Wight: could mean merging with a Mainland council rather than staying as a stand-alone authority Like a head office letting regional managers set their own budgets Like a company merging departments to cut duplication
FAQ
Does this mean the Isle of Wight will lose its council?
No. Devolution will keep the Isle of Wight Council in place, but make it part of a wider combined authority with an elected mayor.
Reorganisation, however, could mean merging Isle of Wight Council with one on the Mainland.
Would Islanders still get a say?
Yes. In a combined authority, Islanders would elect the regional mayor.
In a reorganisation, Islanders would still elect councillors – though they may sit on a much larger council, depending on whether the council gets merged.
Which would give the Island more power?
Devolution is about gaining more control over budgets and decisions.
Reorganisation is more about efficiency and cost-saving.
The Isle of Wight decision
At last week’s Full Council meeting, councillors voted down the landmark vision for local government reorganisation (LGR) put forward by 12 councils across the region.
A business case for a model of five unitary authorities was put forward: four new Mainland councils in place of 14 existing ones, and the Isle of Wight remaining as a unitary authority. The deadline for submitting the approved business case to Government is Friday 26th September 2025.
Isle of Wight Council leader, Phil Jordan, has asked the Ministry for an extension, in order to organise an Extraordinary Full Council to vote again on the options.
By not voting through a business case to submit, the council leader says the only option now under consideration by Government involves merging the Isle of Wight with a Mainland council.
