Cabinet members tonight (Thursday) voted to move forward with Solent Devolution plans, by agreeing to submit (with the agreement of Hampshire, Southampton and Portsmouth) a joint expression of interest to be included on the fast-track ‘priority programme’ for Devolution.
Members voted unanimously to approve the motion that included amendments from Independent Labour councillor for Pan and Barton, Geoff Brodie, as discussed at last night’s Full Council. At tonight’s Cabinet meeting Councillor Brodie said he was really encouraged by the positive views expressed by Cabinet members.
Misunderstandings
As has been set out across several articles earlier today, Councillor Phil Jordan expanded on the misunderstanding made by many councillors of what the Cabinet are being asked to approve. He also added that he was very disappointed that national politics was brought into the chamber on Wednesday night by some members.
Impassioned speeches
Cabinet members had been given legal advice to not cast their vote at the Extraordinary Full Council meeting on Wednesday night, but this evening expressed their support for the motion.
They all gave impassioned speeches about the benefits of what the Government is offering in terms of devolved powers.
Delaying elections
Cabinet members also agreed to request a 12-month postponement of the Isle of Wight elections due to take place in May 2025 (this could a deferment to include town, parish and community council elections too).
During a six-week election period, councils are only permitted to carry out ‘business as usual’, so would be excluded from any negotiations for devolved power and level of funding.
Hampshire County Council, the only other authority in the group who also has local elections this May, have voted to ask Government to defer their local elections too.
If the IWC are not successful in being accepted into the Priority Programme, the local elections would go ahead as scheduled in May 2025.
Watch the meeting
You will be able to watch the proceedings via the council’s YouTube Channel from some point on Friday.
Read the report
You can read the report that was presented to the Cabinet below.
