Isle Of Wight Councillors Signs Up To Devolution Plan Promising £44m Per Year Investment

Isle of Wight councillors have backed plans ‘in principle’ to join a new Hampshire and Solent Mayoral Combined County Authority — a move set to deliver £44.6 million annually for the next 30 years.

The deal, part of the government’s English devolution agenda, represents what ministers describe as the “greatest transfer of power out of Westminster this century.”

But the decision followed a lively debate at County Hall on Wednesday night (October 1), with some councillors warning it could strip the Island of control.

Conservative councillor Joe Robertson said too many powers would move “upwards” to an authority “93 per cent elected by mainlanders,” while Cllr Peter Spink warned the Island could lose influence over housing and planning.

Others spoke in favour.

Liberal Democrat councillor Sarah Redrup highlighted positive outcomes in Greater Manchester, where devolution has been linked to improved health, lower unemployment, and reduced crime.

Council leader Phil Jordan said the deal would unlock £1.4 billion of long-term funding, adding:

“This is about removing barriers and securing guaranteed investment.

"If we don’t take this deal, our neighbours move ahead while the Island gets left behind.”

Enquiries into the full details of the new authority are ongoing, but councillors say the agreement is a crucial opportunity to bring extra resources to the Island.