The consultation, which will run until 13 April, seeks the public’s views on proposals to restructure local government in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight and create a Mayoral Combined Authority.

On 5 February, the Deputy Prime Minister announced a major package of devolution, with six new areas confirmed to join the government’s Devolution Priority Programme: Hampshire and the Solent, Cumbria, Cheshire and Warrington, Norfolk and Suffolk, Greater Essex, and Sussex and Brighton.

The Devolution Priority Programme (DPP) will provide a fast-track to mayoral devolution - aiming to see a new wave of mayoral elections in May 2026. View the full Written Ministerial Statement.

Local authorities within the DPP have been given until 21 March to submit initial proposals on devolution to government, with final plans due to be submitted in autumn, 2025.

Leader of Havant Borough Council, Councillor Phil Munday, said: “We’ve been working closely with our neighbouring councils to join the Devolution Priority Programme (DPP) and to start planning new unitary authorities that will sit within a new Strategic Combined Authority for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

“Devolution provides the opportunity for significant decisions about public services and investment for our area to be made locally rather than by central government. By being part of the DPP we will be able to positively influence the changes and maximise the benefits for our community.

“We will work hard to represent the needs of the borough as fully and forcefully as possible and to achieve the best outcome for Havant, but I would encourage everyone to take part in the government’s consultation to ensure their voice is heard.

“These changes will be far-reaching and significant, so it’s vital that our communities have their say and that the public, and not just politicians, shape these plans.”

Accessing the consultation

The full consultation document can 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/.

Havant Borough Council 17th February