Councils to submit mayoral authority plan

The prospect of a "mainland mayor" has alarmed some Isle of Wight councillors

An application to create a new joint mayoral authority for Hampshire, Southampton, Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight is due to be submitted later.

On Thursday, members of the island council's ruling cabinet voted in support of the devolution bid, overturning a previous vote by the full council.

Some Isle of Wight councillors previously said they feared the planned Hampshire and Solent authority would include a "mainland mayor who would be given power over us and our future".

The joint bid, submitted to the government, could involve the cancellation of local elections in May 2025 while the new strategic authority is set up.

In December, the government announced plans for every English region to have an elected mayor to oversee housing, planning, education and other services.

Ministers see the creation of more powerful regional authorities as a way of unblocking infrastructure and attracting greater investment.

Dozens of smaller councils could be abolished as a result.

Isle of Wight Council leader Phil Jordan said he was confident the council would not disappear under the changes

Isle of Wight Council leader Phil Jordan told Thursday's meeting: "I see no reason why this island council will not continue to operate as it does now, providing services to the Isle of Wight."

Councillors on the island had voted 16-12 against the plan on Wednesday evening, but Mr Jordan said he had the mandate to submit the bid following the cabinet's support.

The island's three mainland partners voted to back the devolution bid earlier this week, ahead of Friday's government deadline.

Nick Adams-King, leader of Hampshire County Council, said devolution would mean "more money, more power and easier working across council boundaries".

He added: "Most people will notice very little difference in day-to-day life. Their councils will still provide most of their services."

Alongside devolution, the government has recommended local government reorganisation.

It would see district and borough councils, including New Forest, Test Valley, Winchester, Fareham and Gosport scrapped and unitary authorities created, serving a minimum of 500,000 people.

The Isle of Wight is estimated to have a population of 142,000 people.

Mr Jordan said the government had indicated it was minded to see the island as an exceptional case, because of its geography.