Monday marked the start of a £1.3 billion future for Hampshire and the Solent, as the region’s new Combined County Authority is officially inaugurated and begins work to bring more decisions and investment closer to local people.
What is the HSCCA?
Hampshire and the Solent Combined County Authority (HSCCA) brings together Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton to work on shared priorities that affect people’s everyday lives, from transport, skills and homes to jobs, growth and public services.
Why the authority was created
The launch comes at an important time for a region with more than 2 million residents and an economy worth around £70–£80 billion, but where growth has slowed, the population is ageing and employers are facing skills gaps.
The HSCCA has been created to help tackle those challenges at the right scale, by bringing councils and partners together around transport, skills, homes, jobs and long-term growth.
£1.3bn over 30 years
HSCCA has been created through the Government’s Devolution Priority Programme. It includes Government funding worth £1.3 billion over 30 years, with £44.6 million in annual investment from 2028. Government will make 40% of the annual investment fund available from 2026/27, enabling a phased and responsible set-up of the HSCCA ahead of the first Mayoral elections in 2028.
New powers from today
From this week, the HSCCA will begin taking on new responsibilities in areas including transport, skills, housing, economic growth, public safety, health and wellbeing, the environment, culture, and rural and coastal communities.
This will give the HSCCA new tools to plan transport and infrastructure across the whole region, support economic growth, shape future skills provision, coordinate housing and land-use planning, and bring partners together on areas such as health, public safety, the environment and climate resilience. Some responsibilities will be phased in over time.
Isle of Wight’s role as vice-chair
Councillor Jonathan Bacon, Leader of the Isle of Wight Council and Vice-Chair of the HSCCA Board, said,
“The launch of the Hampshire and the Solent Combined County Authority marks an important milestone for our region and a significant opportunity for the Isle of Wight. I am delighted to take on the role of Vice-Chair and to help shape the Authority’s priorities from the outset, ensuring the Island has a strong voice at the heart of regional decision-making.
“While we will work closely with our partners across Hampshire, Portsmouth and Southampton, I will continue to champion the Island’s interests robustly and ensure our unique needs and opportunities are recognised. Island communities face distinct challenges, particularly around connectivity, skills, housing and access to services, and it is vital these considerations are reflected in future decisions and investment.
“The Vice-Chair role provides an important platform to influence regional policy, strengthen collaboration and help secure the funding, investment and opportunities our communities need. By working together through the Combined County Authority, we can unlock long-term economic growth, improve outcomes for residents and businesses, and ensure the Isle of Wight plays a full and active role in shaping the future of our region.”
Council leaders react
Leader of Hampshire County Council and Chair of the HSCCA Board, Councillor Nick Adams-King, said,
“This is a huge moment for our region and a real opportunity to put our area on the map. By joining forces, we can bring in new investment, create better-paid jobs and help our towns and villages thrive.
“Most importantly, this is about delivering real benefits for local people and businesses. I’m excited to work with colleagues across the region to make sure we seize this opportunity to build a brighter future for everyone.”
Councillor George Madgwick, Hampshire County Council’s Reform UK Group Leader, said,
“Hampshire’s new Combined Authority gives us the power to think bigger, go further and achieve more together – creating a stronger, more prosperous future for all.”
Councillor Steve Pitt, Leader of Portsmouth City Council and HSCCA Board Member, said,
“We’ve reached an important milestone for Hampshire and the Solent, with opportunity to bring new investment and decision-making closer to the communities, businesses and organisations that know this region best. From today we now have a stronger voice nationally and a real opportunity to shape our own future.
“But this is just the beginning, the hard work starts now to turn potential into meaningful benefits felt by residents, businesses and the wider Solent economy, helping create jobs, improve skills, strengthen transport links and kick off sustainable growth across the region.”
Councillor Sarah Bogle, Leader of Southampton City Council and HSCCA Board Member, said,
“The launch of the Hampshire and Solent Combined County Authority is a major opportunity for Southampton. It will give our communities more say in investment, priorities and decision-making, helping us drive inclusive growth and ensure local people benefit from the new opportunities that the authority will unlock.
“Southampton is an engine of growth for the area and by giving us greater influence over skills and training, housing, transport and economic development, we can better support residents into good jobs, help businesses grow and attract the investment needed to deliver regeneration, new infrastructure and a stronger future both for our city and the wider region.”
Chief executive appointed
The Authority is led by Dr Ruth Adams as Chief Executive, who brings experience from helping to establish the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority and from wider regional partnership work.
Dr Ruth Adams, Chief Executive of the Hampshire and the Solent Combined County Authority, said,
“This is day one of a £1.3 billion opportunity for Hampshire and the Solent. As Chief Executive, my focus is on supporting the Authority as it builds the capacity, partnerships and plans needed to unlock investment, improve opportunities and help the whole region thrive. Working with the constituent authorities and partners, we can now begin shaping what devolution will mean for people, places and businesses across Hampshire and the Solent.”
Next steps ahead of 2028
In the lead up to the first Mayoral elections in 2028, the HSCCA will be set up step by step. This will include agreeing how it will work with councils and partners, building the organisation, and starting work on key plans, including the Local Growth Plan, Strategic Skills Plan, Spatial Development Strategy and Local Transport Plan, which will shape what the HSCCA does for the region.
The HSCCA Board is the main decision-making body of the HSCCA. It is currently made up of one councillor from each of the four constituent authorities with two representatives from Hampshire County Council.
There is scope for the Board to nominate further representatives. Once elected, the future Mayor will also be part of the Board membership. As the HSCCA develops, all decisions will be made through clear governance, scrutiny and accountability arrangements.
News shared by Isle of Wight council press office, in their own words. Ed
