The Government has defended its decision to make Isle of Wight residents wait until May 2028 to elect their first regional mayor, insisting that bringing the vote forward would cause more disruption than benefit despite growing concerns over millions of pounds in potential lost investment.
Local Government Minister Jim McMahon has explained why ministers rejected a request from Hampshire and Solent council leaders to hold the election in May 2027, saying the priority must be providing “clarity and stability” as the new combined authority takes shape.
In a letter to the leaders of Hampshire, Southampton, Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight councils, as well as the Hampshire and the Solent Combined County Authority (HSCCA), Mr McMahon said:
“After careful consideration, I do not believe that the benefits of an earlier election outweigh the disruption this would involve.”
The election had originally been expected in May 2026 before being postponed by 2 years as part of plans to reorganise local government across Hampshire.
However, following changes to the reorganisation timetable, regional leaders argued there was no longer a reason to delay the vote until 2028 and formally requested that it be brought forward by 12 months.
Mr McMahon said there had already been considerable changes to both election arrangements and local government structures, making it important to retain a clear timetable.
The decision means the HSCCA will continue to operate under its existing board, made up of representatives from Hampshire County Council, Southampton City Council, Portsmouth City Council and the Isle of Wight Council.
An elected mayor will not take over as chairman until May 2028.
The delay has sparked criticism from political leaders across the Isle of Wight, particularly over concerns that the region could miss out on significant investment while other parts of the country move ahead with their own elected mayors.
As previously reported by Island Echo, the combined authority is due to receive £44.6million a year in investment funding under its devolution agreement.
However, until an elected mayor takes office, the Government is providing just 40% of that annual allocation, equivalent to approximately £17.8million.
That leaves a difference of around £26.8million a year, or more than £500,000 a week, compared with the funding available once a mayor is in place.
Liberal Democrat mayoral candidate Martin Tod has also warned that Hampshire and the Isle of Wight could miss out on a share of £180million in potential regional funding under proposed changes to business rates retention.
That figure relates to the wider Hampshire and Solent region, rather than money specifically allocated to the Isle of Wight, and the amount of additional funding that might have been available remains uncertain.
The Government’s decision has also prompted criticism over democratic accountability, with Islanders now facing a further wait before having a direct say in who leads the new regional authority.
Councillor Ed Blake, leader of the Isle of Wight Conservatives, previously said:
“The democratic rights of Islanders have been unacceptably removed again.”
Councillor Andrew Garratt, leader of the Isle of Wight Liberal Democrats, also warned that the Island risked being left behind while other regions benefited from new funding arrangements.
He said:
“Instead, while other regions get a head start on growth and investment, the Island and our region will be left waiting. We deserve better than that.”
HSCCA chairman Nick Adams-King has maintained that local leaders made a “clear and practical case” for bringing the election forward, arguing that residents should have an earlier say over who leads an organisation gaining significant new powers and funding.
Despite his disappointment, he has confirmed that the authority will now work to the Government’s timetable.
The future mayor will oversee devolved responsibilities covering transport, adult skills, housing, strategic planning and economic growth across Hampshire, Southampton, Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight.
In his letter, seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Mr McMahon said ministers would instead support the development of the new authority ahead of the 2028 election.
The Government intends to establish a forum for areas taking part in its devolution priority programme and is considering what additional powers could be made available before their first mayoral elections.
For now, the first Hampshire and Solent mayoral election remains scheduled for May 2028, with the combined authority continuing its preparations under the leadership of its existing board
