Back in June OnTheWight reported on discussions that had taken place around the idea of a Hampshire-wide Combined Authority – what is now being referred to as ‘The Southern Powerhouse‘.
Paperwork in the public domain revealed the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Local Government Association had agreed to support a proposal for a Hampshire-wide Combined Authority. In addition, Isle of Wight council leader, Jonathan Bacon, was a named signatory on a letter to Government advising of the plans.
Statement of Intent sets out the plans
Things have moved on since then, a Statement of Intent (see below) was sent to Greg Clark, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, at the end of July. Meanwhile, officers from all 15 of the local authorities involved and two local enterprise partnerships (EM3 and Solent) have been working together to develop that Statement of Intent into a formal prospectus.
The prospectus has not yet been completed, but will highlight the “bold and ambitious” plans mentioned in the Statement of Intent which states,
By 2025:
- Thousands of jobs will have been created in our cities and major towns through their multi-billion pound public/private investment plans, for example Basingstoke’s Economic Masterplan and Southampton’s £3bn City Centre Masterplan;
- The £2bn Solent LEP investment strategy will deliver at least 13,000 new homes and 10,000 new jobs;
- Our local planning authorities envisage 70,000 new homes being delivered;
- Our education authorities will invest over £500 million in new school places.
Council to consider options
Isle of Wight councillors will be asked at next week’s Full Council meeting to adopt options (a) and (c):
(a) Support the prospectus for a devolution deal for Hampshire and Isle of Wight as the basis for negotiation with government.
(c) Confirm that the final devolution deal must ensure the financial security of Isle of Wight and availability of public services to its communities.
(d) Note that at this stage the council is making no commitment beyond continued involvement in the development of a potential deal.
The papers below explain the details behind the plans. Full council takes place at County Hall on Wednesday 2nd September at 5pm. Members of the public are welcome to attend.
