Cookies and Privacy

This site uses cookies to store information on your computer

Some of these cookies are necessary to make the site work. We’d also like to use optional cookies to help improve your experience on the site. You can manage your optional cookie preferences below. Using this tool will set a cookie on your device to remember your preferences. Your preferences can be changed at any time.

For further details, see our Cookie Policy and our Privacy Policy

I Accept I Do Not Accept

Essential

Essential cookies enable core functionality such as page navigation and access to secure areas. The website cannot function properly without these cookies; they can only be disabled by changing your browser preferences. Third party functions such as Google Search and Analytics will not be enabled.

Performance

Opt-in to performance settings

Performance settings enable you to use the Google Search engine on our website and help us to improve our website by collecting and reporting information on its usage (for example, which of our pages are most frequently visited).

Save and Close

Press Release

17 February 2025

Residents urged to take part in the Government’s consultation on devolution

A consultation to seek the public’s views on proposals to form a Mayoral Combined Authority for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight has been launched by the government today and will run for eight weeks - until 13 April.

On 5 February, the Deputy Prime Minister confirmed Hampshire and the Isle of Wight as one of six new areas to join the government’s Devolution Priority Programme (DPP). Read the government’s press statement.

The government says the programme represents one of the largest ever single packages of mayoral devolution in England and will support the areas to become mayor-led strategic authorities with a new mayoral election by May 2026. View the full written ministerial statement.

Leader of Fareham borough Council, Councillor Simon Martin, said: “Devolution creates an opportunity to transfer funding and decision-making closer to our communities and away from Whitehall, so that local people have their say in the biggest decisions that affect them. Being part of the DPP means that Hampshire residents will see the greatest benefits and we will work with councils across the area to influence the changes and maximise the benefits for Fareham communities. Everyone is encouraged to take part in the government’s consultation to ensure their voice is heard in what is considered to be a once-in-a-generation opportunity.”

Accessing the consultation:

The full consultation document an be found online at the GOV.UK page: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/hampshire-and-the-solent-devolution.

Responses will be collected through citizenspace using the following link: https://consult.communities.gov.uk/lggc/hampshire-and-the-solent-devolution-consultation.

This consultation is in respect of the government’s consultation on devolution and not local government reorganisation which is an entirely separate matter.

ENDS