A meeting of the Executive of the Isle of Wight Council has agreed a decision to continue the process which may lead to the establishment of a Solent Combined Authority (with Portsmouth and Southampton city councils).
The Executive, as part of this process, has agreed to submit a request to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government to establish a Solent Combined Authority – alongside Portsmouth and Southampton city councils, which made their decisions last week.
Isle of Wight Council leader, Councillor Jonathan Bacon, said: “This decision will mean the Isle of Wight Council can stay at the table as these discussions progress, with the involvement of the secretary of state. The council will still retain the option of not joining the combined authority if suitable terms cannot be agreed or the expected devolution deal, including an expected commitment for £900 million investment funds over 30 years, is not secured with the government – both will need the further and final agreement of the council.
“By taking this decision to stay at the table, we are ensuring that every opportunity is examined and kept open as we endeavour to secure a long-term sustainable financial future for the council and the Island as a whole.
“As part of our future plans we have just approved a more positive medium term financial strategy which focuses strongly on regeneration and economic growth. The strategy buys us some time to grow our tax base as a result of planned regeneration activities. This will be more easily delivered if investment funds from government are made available.”
It comes after a public consultation in the Solent region saw 71 per cent of respondents stating they were in favour of moving power and funding for the economy, transport and jobs from central government to groups of local councils working together. The same proportion supported the idea of the three councils and the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership working closer together.
Secretary of State for Communities & Local Government Sajid Javid will receive the application and make a decision on whether to progress it. Should it go ahead the next step would be to agree the details of the proposal to be put before Parliament.
Cllr Donna Jones, Leader of Portsmouth City Council, said: “It is tremendous news that all three councils involved have now agreed to progress plans for a Solent Combined Authority. This is something that will deliver huge benefits for residents of Portsmouth, Southampton and the Isle of Wight, and we can now begin the formal application process with government.
“The Solent Combined Authority would secure £30m a year every year for the next 30 years, so that’s £900m to spend on improving roads, helping create jobs and delivering good quality new homes. This is a really positive and exciting step forward for residents and businesses in South Hampshire which will give them better opportunities for years to come.”
Councillor Simon Letts, Leader of Southampton City Council said: “The next stage of the formal process for a Solent Combined Authority is now complete and we can look forward to making our formal application to the Secretary of State for Communities & Local Government. A Solent Combined Authority will allow our ambitious plans for the Solent region to move forward as we take control of our own destiny by retaining future funding and decision-making powers.
“I believe the Solent Combined Authority will deliver real and positive change in the future for the residents of Southampton, Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight. It will allow us to deliver our ambitions to have an increased number of skilled and better paid jobs, increased investment in the region, a reduced welfare bill, improved transport integration and more good quality new homes. These are exciting times for the residents and businesses of the Solent region”
The three Leaders have also written to Hampshire County Council Leader Cllr Roy Perry to repeat their offer for the authority to join the Solent Combined Authority as a full member.
The proposed authority would take on responsibility for services currently managed by central government and receive £900m of new funding over the next 30 years.
This will allow decisions to be made locally rather than in Westminster, with a focus on driving economic growth, skills, improving infrastructure and transport links and delivering homes in the region.
The combined authority would not replace any of the councils involved, each council would be an equal member and be represented on its board which could be led by a directly elected mayor.
For more information visit www.solentdeal.co.uk
