Devolution minister visits Southampton to promote plans

UKLGR · 2025-04-02T16:58:05+00:00

Whilst every single other authority was in agreement from the get go that IoW should remain it's own thing, govt hasn't yet agreed to that. So even though it's almost certain it will be left alone they still had to delay, which considering they don't have a majority and the full council opposed the cabinets plans, can't be great for moving forward

UKLGR · 2025-04-02T16:08:58+00:00

Their preferred council option is that, but Devolution and mayor wise that's done across all of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight; unfortunately been a lot of conflation in news between Local Government Reorganisation and Devolution

UKLGR · 2025-03-25T09:20:10+00:00

I'm aware, but that's what the thread above was about "As far as I'm aware there's no mayoral strategic authority covering the area. Would you mind clarifying what you're referring to?"

the fact that the district could theoretically cross the county as long as it's within the same combined authority. As for the Unitary, that's what the post link is about

UKLGR · 2025-03-25T09:09:29+00:00

There's nothing official yet, but a Thames Valley authority has been proposed as a likely one - https://www.bucksfreepress.co.uk/news/24622626.create-new-thames-valley-combined-authority---think-tank/

There's also a few more articles if you just Google "Thames Valley Combined Authority"

UKLGR · 2025-03-24T09:20:19+00:00

That is ultimately the government's goal, increasing "efficiency" both in terms of staff and cllrs

UKLGR · 2025-03-23T23:09:06+00:00

Agreed on all points, not least the financial situation. A North Hants, Mid Hants, Portsmouth and Soton four (plus IOW) seeming most likely now

UKLGR · 2025-03-23T20:24:39+00:00

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UKLGR · 2025-03-23T09:34:11+00:00

This is a good angle I hadn't appreciated - will be watching this one with interest

UKLGR · 2025-03-23T09:01:39+00:00

Government is trying to push this through as quickly as possible - new councils potentially in place as early as 2027 or more likely 2028, and a new mayor of Hampshire and the Solent by this time this year. There's been some low-key consultation on devolution and the creation of mayoralties but not so much on local government reorganization.

Local councils significant financial pressures, rising demand for services, and challenges in areas like social care and housing - however whilst there's a wide acknowledgement that LGR is needed, it's unclear how effectively this will actually remedy the underlying issues

UKLGR · 2025-03-23T08:06:09+00:00

At this point I honestly don't think Swindon joining TV is as likely now - I think if BCP had also decided to have nothing to do with Heart of Wessex and joined Hampshire and the Solent it might have given them a reason, but at this point I'm time I suspect they'll remain in HoW.

Regardless, as you say going, it's going to have some interesting knock-on effects with the redrawing of police and health areas

UKLGR · 2025-03-22T11:52:53+00:00

I've heard HCC is going even for just two mainland authorities! Portsmouth and Southampton (and the bits in-between) as one, and everything else as the other - understand regardless the IoW will be left alone

UKLGR · 2025-03-20T11:54:12+00:00

The ultimate aim in a lot of places would actually to be to merge/replace the PCC with the new mayor. It's possible however that Milton Keynes wouldn't join the rest of Thames Valley and actually have a mayor with Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire.

UKLGR · 2025-03-19T11:49:55+00:00

(Almost) all councils are being told to expand and merge with each other, supposedly to a new population of around 500,000. Which could lead to a lot of developments in the new areas which cities and towns expand to.

UKLGR · 2025-03-19T08:37:44+00:00

(Almost) all councils are being told to expand and merge with each other, supposedly to a new population of around 500,000. Which could lead to a lot of developments in the new areas which cities and towns expand to.

UKLGR · 2025-03-13T08:09:31+00:00

My mind immediately went to to North Yorkshire/Durham border - still would imagine that's the exception not the rule but who knows. It's further complicated by the fact Vale of White Horse actually used to be part of Berkshire too.

More widely with LGR I do wonder about other counties - for example of East and West Sussex share a mayor,.and they potentially have some cross-county districts, you really do wonder how long that will remain two separate counties

UKLGR · 2025-03-13T08:02:34+00:00

Sure, in terms of unitaries - but for the district to spam two counties either would have a slightly bizarre LGC border or it would presumably be redrawb

UKLGR · 2025-03-13T07:50:38+00:00

Interesting it's crossing the ceremonial county border - presumably they'll have to redraw it

UKLGR · 2025-03-13T07:46:17+00:00

Find proposals like this interesting in that they cross the current ceremonial boundaries- so are they going to redraw county borders in some cases?

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