The Leader of Rushmoor Borough Council, Councillor Gareth Williams, has welcomed the government’s announcement yesterday that Hampshire and the Solent are one of six areas to be included in the government’s fast-track devolution priority programme.
If proposals are approved, this would create one large strategic authority for all of Hampshire, the Solent and the Isle of Wight, led by an elected mayor, with greater control over big decisions that affect our area, such as transport and economic growth.
The decision, announced yesterday by the Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, will mean that county council elections planned for this May will not now be held, and that mayoral elections for Hampshire and Isle of Wight will take place in May 2026. The mayoral strategic authority will not replace local councils but will work closely with them.
Yesterday’s announcement also provided more detail on local government reorganisation, in which district councils, such as Rushmoor Borough Council, have been invited to join forces with other councils to create a larger unitary council. In addition to providing existing services, they would take over county council services such as highway maintenance, adult social care and children’s services.
Both devolution and local government reorganisation will be subject to extensive public engagement, and the government have stated residents’ views will be a key element taken into consideration when making decisions on any changes.
Councillor Williams said: “I welcome the government’s proposals to grant greater local control over important services to our residents.
“Taken together, these changes have the potential to transform the way in which council services are delivered and improve the lives of residents in Rushmoor.
“Regional mayors will be able to focus on economic improvement in our area, delivering the infrastructure and skills our businesses need.
“We also know that residents want more of a say in services such as schools, care for SEN pupils and road maintenance, and for these to be made more accountable to local people.
“We have now started to work on our response to the government’s request and will share further detail as work progresses.”
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