The Hampshire and the Solent Combined County Authority (HSCCA) has been formally established following parliamentary approval, marking a major milestone in the creation of a new authority to lead strategic decision-making across the region.
The new authority has been established following parliamentary approval of the statutory instrument, which will provide a strong foundation for greater local leadership on priorities including transport, housing, skills, investment and economic growth.
It will help unlock opportunities for stronger coordination across partners and deliver improved long-term outcomes for communities and businesses across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
The establishment of the HSCCA represents an important step forward in the devolution of powers and funding from central government, ensuring that decisions about the region are made closer to the people they affect.
The HSCCA will enable a more collaborative approach to public investment and delivery, supporting councils, public bodies, businesses, and investors to work together at scale on shared economic and social priorities, and to maximise the region’s collective strengths.
Leader of Hampshire County Council, Councillor Nick Adams-King, said:
“The formal creation of the new Authority marks an important and long-awaited step forward for our region.
“Our work together now begins in earnest, giving us the opportunity to make decisions that really reflect what people need, and invest in the long-term prosperity and wellbeing of communities across our area.”
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Leader of the Isle of Wight Council, Councillor Jonathan Bacon said:
“The establishment of the Combined County Authority is an important development for the region.
“It provides a framework for councils and partners to work more closely together on shared priorities such as transport, skills and economic development.
“I aim to ensure that issues relating to the Island’s connectivity to the mainland are a particular focus given the importance of that issue to the vast majority of residents.
“For the Isle of Wight, it is important that we continue to work collaboratively to ensure the Island’s needs are understood and reflected as the new authority moves into delivery.”
Portsmouth City Council Leader Cllr Steve Pitt said:
“Now the new Combined County Authority is up and running we can begin to make local decisions for our region that will bring real benefit and opportunities to communities and businesses right across Hampshire and the Solent.
“We’re ready to work together to ensure devolution is a success and delivers for residents and our local economy.”
Southampton City Council Leader Cllr Sarah Bogle stated:
“This is a major step forward for our regional economy and Southampton as a key driver of growth.
“We have great potential and by working together we can unlock new investment, support local businesses to grow, and ensure our residents have access to the skills, opportunities and housing they need to thrive.
“Underpinned locally by our landmark Growth and Prosperity Plan, this is about creating the right conditions for sustainable growth, strengthening opportunities across our communities, attracting and developing businesses, and making Hampshire and the Solent an even better place to live, work and invest.”
Dr Ruth Adams, Chief Executive of HSCCA, said:
“This is a significant moment for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
“I want to thank everyone who has worked so collaboratively to reach this point.
“The creation of the Combined County Authority gives us a real opportunity to bring regional leaders together, attract investment and accelerate progress on the issues that matter most to local people and businesses.
“We are ambitious about what we can achieve and are now focused on turning that ambition into action.”
HSCCA will now begin establishing an organisation that will deliver on its priorities across the region, building on the strong foundations already in place to realise the full benefits of devolution.
At its inaugural meeting, expected to be held in July, the new authority will establish itself as an operating organisation, adopting its Constitution and Local Assurance Framework, the governance that sets out its role, its decision-making and how it will work with partners across the region on its areas of competence.
