Plans for a Solent Combined Authority have received public backing, with the majority of respondents to a consultation supporting the proposals. More than 2,500 people took part in a public consultation and 71% of those responding were in favour of moving power and funding for the economy, transport and jobs from central government to groups of local councils working together.
The same proportion supported the idea that the Isle of Wight Council, Portsmouth City Council, Southampton City Council and the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership should work closer together.
75% were in favour of more local powers for support for businesses to grow; 74% backed extra powers for transport; 73% backed new responsibilities for skills and employment; and 70% agree there should be more local powers for housing and infrastructure planning. In addition to the public survey an engagement process with businesses ran simultaneously and gained similar support.
The majority of people agreed with having a Combined Authority headed by a directly-elected mayor.
Donna Jones, leader of Portsmouth City Council, said: "The Solent Combined Authority would secure £30 million a year every year for the next 30 years, so that's £900m to spend on improving roads, helping to create jobs and delivering good-quality new homes.”
Simon Letts, leader of Southampton City Council, said: “The response to our consultation gives us a clear sense that the people of the Solent support our aspirations to take powers and funding from the Government in London. Taking control of the business rates raised in the Solent would help us protect the vital services we offer from further cuts. On the basis of this consultation we look forward to an announcement by government in the Autumn Statement confirming its support for the establishment of our combined authority.”
Cllr Jonathan Bacon, leader of the Isle of Wight Council, said: “The decisions we need to take over the next few weeks, informed by the outcomes of the consultation, will decide whether we are ready and able to consider and deliver a devolution offer which has massive potential for the betterment of the Island and the wider Solent area.
The total response rate of 2,531 compared favourably with other consultations on the establishment of mayoral combined authorities elsewhere. The West Midlands combined authority (with a population over six times that of the Solent) received 1,907 questionnaire responses. The Sheffield City region combined authority consultation received 188 more questionnaire responses than the Solent consultation but the population of the Sheffield City Region is three times that of the Solent region.
The combined authority would not replace any of the councils involved. Each council would be an equal member and be represented on its board which would be led by a directly-elected mayor.
The plans will now go without delay to full council meetings for the three councils involved, ahead of each cabinet making a decision on submitting a formal bid to government. Subject to the results, a final decision on submitting an application to government could be made by the end of October.
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