Hampshire County Council’s application to join fast-track devolution approved by government
FAST-track devolution plans by Hampshire County Council – which include the postponement of May’s elections – have been approved by government.
As reported in the A&T, the council voted to opt in to the scheme, which will give decision-making powers back to local leaders, following an extraordinary meeting last month.
Under the government’s devolution plans, the current two-tier system locally would be axed, resulting in the abolition of New Forest District Council.
It has now been confirmed that Hampshire and the Solent region will be part of the fast-track initiative, which includes establishing a new Strategic Mayoral Authority for Southampton, Portsmouth, Hampshire, and the Isle of Wight, with elections for the role likely to be held in May 2026.
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner announced six new potential devolution areas on Wednesday; Cumbria, Cheshire and Warrington, Greater Essex, Hampshire and Solent, Norfolk and Suffolk, and Sussex and Brighton.
Ms Rayner told the Commons: “These places will get a fast-track ticket to drive real change in their area.
“While devolution can sound techie, the outcome is simple – it’s a plan for putting more money in people’s pockets, it’s a plan for quicker, better, cheaper transport designed with local people in mind, a plan for putting politics back in the service of working people.”
The decision – delayed from 31st January – means that county council elections, due to take place in May, are cancelled.
HCC leader, Cllr Nick Adams-King, said he is “delighted” that Hampshire and the Solent have been added to the “once-in-a-generation” opportunity.
“I thank all Southampton, Portsmouth and Isle of Wight council colleagues for being so supportive and working in partnership to agree to the application.
“There can be no doubt this is good news for our residents, particularly those who live in our most deprived neighbourhoods where we will now be able to focus our efforts.
“It is good news for our businesses who can expect a much wider strategic approach to economic development to deliver growth for our region, and it is good news for our public services who will see greater powers, and funding, devolved from Westminster to our area.”
In relation to the elections, he said that, while “no-one likes to postpone”, he hoped most residents recognised it is necessary for “us to do so until next year” to provide the “stability, the time and capacity to “enable us to focus on the vital task of getting devolution right.”
