Devolution across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight presents ‘huge opportunities’ to boost investment, jobs and local decision-making, according to the chief executive of the region’s newly established combined authority.
The Hampshire and the Solent Combined County Authority (HSCCA) held its inaugural board meeting in Southampton yesterday (Monday), marking the formal launch of the new organisation.
The authority has been created as part of the Government’s devolution agenda and will take on new powers and funding, including an investment fund worth £1.3 billion over the next 32 years.
Chief executive Dr Ruth Adams said the new authority would give local leaders greater control over how funding is spent and allow decisions to be tailored to the needs of the region.
Dr Adams, formerly deputy chief executive of the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, said:
“It levers resource and it levers the ability to do things differently.
“It’s not just about getting money out of government.
“It’s about thinking what will work in a particular context and situation.”
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She said devolution would enable local leaders to negotiate directly with Government over priorities that matter most to Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, rather than relying solely on centrally designed programmes.
The HSCCA investment fund equates to £44.6 million each year, although this will initially be reduced to £17.8 million annually until a mayor is elected in May 2028.
Dr Adams said the scale of funding and responsibility could increase significantly over time, adding that some funding currently controlled by central government would instead be managed locally.
She said:
“That magnitude of scale is not to be sniffed at”
The authority’s board will include representatives from Hampshire County Council, Southampton City Council, Portsmouth City Council and Isle of Wight Council.
Dr Adams said one of her priorities was ensuring the 4 councils worked closely together, alongside businesses and universities, to develop a shared vision for the region.
She said the authority needed to establish clear priorities when engaging with Government, businesses, overseas investors and the banking sector to help drive economic growth and improve employment opportunities.
Looking ahead, Dr Adams identified defence and tourism as 2 sectors where the region could particularly benefit from devolution.
She said Hampshire and the Isle of Wight were well placed to secure greater investment in defence because of the area’s existing strengths, while the visitor economy also presented significant opportunities.
Dr Adams said any future overnight visitor levy should be viewed as a way to reinvest in local tourism assets, helping to create a more sustainable visitor economy across the region.
