Dear All

A public consultation has been launched today, Monday 17 February, by central Government inviting everyone in Hampshire and the Solent area to have their say on the proposal to form a Mayoral Combined County Authority for Hampshire, Portsmouth, the Isle of Wight, and Southampton. It follows the recent announcement by the Deputy Prime Minister that our region has been accepted on Government’s Devolution Priority Programme.

The consultation specifically asks about:

• The Proposed Geography
• Governance Arrangements
• Supporting the Economy
• Improving Social Outcomes
• Local Government Services
• Improving the local natural environment
• Supporting the needs of local communities and reflect local identity

The consultation runs for eight weeks from 10am, 17 February 2025 to 11:59pm on 13 April 2025.

It can be found here: Hampshire and the Solent devolution consultation - GOV.UK

How we will promote the consultation within Hampshire

The public consultation is being undertaken directly by Government; however, the County Council and our partners will play a key role in promoting and encouraging residents to participate in this once-in-a-generation opportunity to help shape Hampshire’s future.

We will amplify national messaging and promote the consultation widely across our corporate communications channels and through stakeholder engagement activity, including via the news media, social media and e-newsletters.

How you can help

As trusted public representatives within your electoral divisions, and to help reach as many people as possible, raise awareness of the consultation and encourage participation, Members can also play an active role.

As well as inviting you to participate individually, we also ask that you amplify our messaging to the public by sharing Hampshire’s social media posts with your followers and invite residents across your divisions to take the time to respond to this important consultation.

We are expecting to receive promotional resources shortly from Government to help promote the consultation and will share these with you at the earliest opportunity. We understand that Government is also considering potential in-person events, but we will advise on this as soon as we know more.

Devolution in Hampshire – new webpages

Further dedicated information about devolution in Hampshire, including Q&As, details of the public consultation and how to have your say can now be found on the County Council’s webpages, www.hants.gov.uk/devolution.

These webpages also contain information about Government’s Local Government Reorganisation agenda, (which does not form part of the current public consultation) as well as the timescales for delivery, as set out by Westminster.

I very much hope that you will take the time to respond to this important consultation and we would appreciate all you can do to help promote participation as widely as possible.

Many thanks

Chief Executive

Hampshire County Council