The Isle of Wight council leader is ‘pushing back’ over government plans to transfer powers and funding to a joint pan-Hampshire authority in Southern Powerhouse plans.
As reported by News OnTheWight last month, a devolution deal, supposedly worth £1.14bn of investment over the next 30 years, would combine four currently separate authorities including the Island, Southampton, Portsmouth and Hampshire.
Previous plans to create a combined authority across the Solent collapsed in 2018 due to differing views.
Back on the table
It is now back on the table with a deal drawn up by the Conservative-led Hampshire County Council (HCC) and government, with HCC leader Cllr Rob Humby pushing it forward.
Last month, he said the ambitious deal is a once-in-a-generation opportunity and urged his fellow council leaders to work with him and the government.
LPW: “Massive push for devolution by the Conservative government”
While devolution could see decisions made closer to home, Councillor Lora Peacey-Wilcox, IW council leader, has shared her doubts after a meeting she had with Dehenna Davison MP, the parliamentary under-secretary of state for the department of levelling up.
Speaking at cabinet last week, Councillor Peacey-Wilcox said Ms Davison wants the Island to amalgamate with Hampshire due to the ‘massive push for devolution by the Conservative government’.
Island Deal a priority
However, Councillor Peacey-Wilcox said she told Ms Davison again her priority is the Island Deal.
She said she had also met with the leaders of Southampton and Portsmouth City Councils and written a letter asking for more clarification before they all meet to discuss a way forward.
LPW: “It is not a good deal for us”
Cllr Peacey-Wilcox said,
“We have been very succinct in saying it is not a good deal for us as the Island and we keep pushing back.
“It is not a wish of Portsmouth or Southampton to move in with Hampshire, and it certainly isn’t ours, or mine, at all.”
LPW: Doubt devolution would help the Island ‘one iota’
After the meeting, Councillor Peacey-Wilcox said she doubted devolution would help the Island ‘one iota’ whereas the Island Deal would sustain us in perpetuity.
The Island Deal is a long sought-after pot of cash, and was promised to the Island by Boris Johnson to Bob Seely in 2019, to help offset the costs of providing services on an Island.
It is said to be worth millions of pounds and has been something multiple Isle of Wight Council administrations have chased over the years.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
