Title

ECONOMIC GROWTH

Solent devolution deal 'highly unlikely'

Opposition from Hampshire CC has made a Solent combined authority ‘highly unlikely,’ the leader of Portsmouth City Council has admitted.

Opposition from Hampshire CC has made a Solent combined authority ‘highly unlikely,' the leader of Portsmouth City Council has admitted.

The proposed deal, including Portsmouth, Southampton, Isle of Wight, Fareham, Gosport, Havant, Eastleigh and East Hampshire, could have brought £1bn of government investment to the region.

Portsmouth leader Donna Jones said: ‘Hampshire CC was the only remaining partner in the Solent that refused to support the deal.

‘Because of this, and following yesterday's meeting with the Hampshire MPs, it now looks highly unlikely that the current deal will go ahead.'

Hampshire leader Cllr Roy Perry has maintained that a Solent deal made ‘no economic sense'.

He said: ‘The Solent bid would not help the local economy. 

‘It would do it harm by isolating the area from the economic resources of the wider county as well as forcing the dismantling of vital county services – now and in the future.'

The collapse of the devolution deal puts reorganisation back on the agenda but councils also disagree about the form this should take.

Cllr Perry added: ‘I am calling on my fellow leaders to call a halt, knowing that nothing will now be forthcoming from central government for the time being at least, and let us get back around the table in the interests of all of our communities.'

 

ECONOMIC GROWTH

Unpicking the Spelthorne strategy

By Heather Jameson | 23 October 2025

As the decision on reorganisation in Surrey is delayed, Spelthorne BC chief executive Daniel Mouawad says forcing the sale of council assets at the wrong tim...

ECONOMIC GROWTH

EXCLUSIVE: Whitehall backs Thames Valley role for Swindon BC

By Dan Peters | 22 October 2025

It is believed the Government is backing Swindon being part of the Thames Valley along with Oxfordshire and Berkshire due to the economic benefits.

ECONOMIC GROWTH

Dorset is adapting to the needs of its older population

By Natalie Turner | 21 October 2025

Dorset Council has become the 100th Age-friendly Community and joined a growing network of places representing more than 30 million people. This forward-thin...

ECONOMIC GROWTH

Why is Devon doing LGR?

By Cllr Paul Arnott | 17 October 2025

Cllr Paul Arnott says that if Devon is not going to achieve Mayoral status before 2029, why is it ‘being required to smash up a two-tier district and county ...

Popular articles by William Eichler