Latest Development in Devolution
At a meeting of leaders and chief executives of all local authorities in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight on 26th February, a new strand of the devolution debate was announced. Lord O'Neill, a Minister at the Treasury, has invited leaders of councils covering Portsmouth, Southampton, Isle of Wight, Fareham, Gosport, Havant, East Hampshire and Eastleigh to a meeting to discuss options for devolving government powers to this group.
Councillor Stephen Godfrey, leader of Winchester City Council, expressed surprise at this move, saying
I await further information about this unexpected development. We are still waiting to hear the government's response to our existing devolution deal, which all fifteen local authorities have signed up to and which we feel is an exciting and innovative way to bring growth and productivity to this part of Britain. I firmly believe that a united approach is the best way forward for the people of Winchester, who are well served by Hampshire County Council as part of a two tier authority structure.