Devolution
On Wednesday 5 February, the government announced Hampshire and the Solent region will be part of the devolution fast-track initiative.
The decision to fast-track the application will establish a new Strategic Mayoral Authority for Southampton, Portsmouth, Hampshire, and the Isle of Wight, with elections for the new mayor to be held in May 2026.
FAQs
What is devolution and why has it come about?
Devolution is the biggest change to local government in a generation. Alongside the combined authority, there will be an elected mayor. With local council leaders, the elected mayor will make decisions about how to spend certain pots of money in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight. Working together across the two county’s boundaries in areas including transport, skills and employment support, housing and planning and tackling climate change. The statutory instrument legislation to formally establish the devolved authority is expected to be laid and debated in parliament in November 2025; a Mayoral Combined County Authority (MCCA) will then be created.
How will local government be reorganised?
Alongside the creation of an MCCA 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.
https://www.hants.gov.uk/aboutthecouncil/governmentinhampshire/devolution
What will happen to the OPCC?
Nothing will happen just yet. The OPCC remains until April 2027 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.
This timing suggests the government is prioritising careful integration of policing and fire services rather than rapid implementation, signalling an appreciation for the critical role of police governance within the new Mayoral structure.
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 2026. 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 will be 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.