Devolution
The government announced Hampshire and the Solent region will be part of its new devolution initiative.
The decision will establish a new Combined County Authority (CCA) for Southampton, Portsmouth, Hampshire, and the Isle of Wight, to be formed in early 2026.
The CCA will become the Mayoral Combined County Authority (MCCA) in May 2028, when elections will be held for a Mayor of Hampshire and the Solent. Previously, the Mayoral elections were due to be held in May 2026, however the government has pushed this back to May 2028 to align with Local Government Reorganisation (LGR).
This statement from Steve Reed, the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government explains the government’s ambition as of December 2025.
FAQs
What is devolution and why has it come about?
Devolution is the transfer of powers and funding from national to local government. It is a process that enables more decisions to be made locally, closer to the residents and businesses affected.
The UK Government published a devolution white paper on 16 December 2024, setting out its plans for devolution in England.
A devolution agreement will create a new single body, known as a Strategic Authority, or Combined County Authority covering the combined geographic area of Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton. This combined area will be known as Hampshire and the Solent.
The Hampshire and the Solent Strategic Authority will be led by a directly elected Mayor. The first Mayoral election in Hampshire and the Solent is now expected to take place in May 2028. But the Strategic Authority will become operational in 2026 led by the Leaders of the four upper tier unitary authorities.
Each stage of devolution will bring new powers and funding from central government into the region. More decisions on transport connectivity, skills and employment support, housing and strategic planning, economic development, energy and public safety will be made locally.
The Hampshire County Council website has more information on devolution if you’d like to find out more.
What is Local Government Reorganisation (LGR)?
Alongside the creation of a CCA is Local Government Reorganisation (LGR). The government plans to replace the current two-tier system of counties and district councils with unitary councils across the country, including Portsmouth and Southampton City Councils, Isle of Wight Council, and Hampshire County, District and Borough Councils. The reorganisation aims to simplify how councils work across Hampshire, Southampton, Portsmouth, and the Isle of Wight, making services easier to access, more joined-up, and better value for money, while protecting what matters most to local people. For more info and how to this might impact the OPCC, HCC has published this helpful leaflet to explain the changes being proposed.
What will happen to the OPCC?
Nothing will happen just yet. The OPCC remains separate from devolution and LGR until April 2028 when the PCC role will be dissolved and PCC powers will be transferred to the Mayor’s office. In combined Mayoral authorities, a Deputy Mayor for Policing, Crime and Fire is appointed to oversee policing and fire governance.
What is the OPCC's position on this?
PCC Donna Jones released a statement on March 13 which outlines her position in the lead up to May 2028. As it is likely the PCC role will be subsumed into the Mayor’s office, the Commissioner has made it clear she will run for Mayor. The Commissioner will run her own Mayoral campaign which is separate from the Office.
The PCC will continue to carry out all the functions of her role, and remains committed to prioritising community safety, strengthening partnerships to reduce crime, and being a voice for victims.
The OPCC remains politically neutral.
Is the government consulting on this?
Yes. The government held a public consultation on Feb 17 which closed on April 13.