Date for mayor election under devolution plan

The new combined authority will take in Southampton, Portsmouth, Hampshire and Isle of Wight councils

Elections for a new mayor for the Hampshire and Solent region will take place next year, the government has confirmed.

Devolution plans involve transferring powers from Westminster to English regions, alongside additional funding and investment.

The Hampshire and Solent region is set to gain its own powers over transport, housing, education, healthcare and local economic development.

Devolution minister Jim McMahon confirmed the deal could move forward, with mayoral elections held in May 2026.

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 due to take place, with three options, all involving the creation of five councils across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.