Devolution: Hampshire and Isle of Wight mayor election date set
The Hampshire and Solent region, along with Sussex and Brighton, Cumbria, Cheshire, Warrington, Norfolk and Suffolk and Greater Essex, joined the Devolution Priority Programme (DPP) in February.Mr McMahon said: "We are taking the next step in our devolution revolution, shifting power out of Whitehall and into our communities..."The six devolution priority areas are leading the way towards a new era of devolved power in England and a stronger relationship between central and local government."The news was announced at meeting of Hampshire County Council by the leader, Nick Adams-King, who said: "We've got devolution."
Alex Winning, leader of Southampton City Council, said it marked a "pivotal moment"."It reflects our shared ambition and readiness to take on greater powers and deliver real benefits for our communities," he added.Leader of Portsmouth City Council, Steve Pitt, said: "Devolution has the potential to benefit Portsmouth residents and businesses and the wider area and deliver extra regional powers and investment in jobs, infrastructure and services."A separate restructuring of local government is running alongside the devolution plans which would see district and borough councils scrapped.A consultation is under way, with three options, all involving the creation of five councils across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
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