Devolution
Hampshire and the Solent region is part of the government’s new devolution initiative.
The decision means a new Combined County Authority has been established for Southampton, Portsmouth, Hampshire, and the Isle of Wight.
In early 2026, a statutory instrument (SI) was laid before Parliament to formally establish the Hampshire and the Solent Combined County Authority (HSCCA).
The HSCCA 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).
The HSCCA website provides clear explanations of the HSCCA’s powers, benefits for local communities and regular updates on progress, helping residents understand what the Combined Authority and the future Mayor could deliver for the region.
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 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 Combined County Authority will be led by the Leaders of the four upper tier unitary authorities until 2028 when the region will be asked to elect a Mayor.
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.
What is Local Government Reorganisation (LGR)?
Alongside the creation of the HSCCA 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.
In March 2026, the government announced the current system will be replaced with five new unitary councils that serve Hampshire, Southampton, Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight. Each new council will be responsible for delivering all local services in its area. Under the model chosen by the government, there will be four new unitary councils on the Hampshire mainland, with the Isle of Wight remaining a standalone unitary council. The plans are outlined here on the HCC website.
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.