Councillor Roy Perry will provide an update on the latest position with Devolution for Hampshire.
Minutes:
The Hampshire Partnership received an update on the latest position with devolution in Hampshire from Councillor Roy Perry, Leader of Hampshire County Council. A report of the County Council’s Cabinet on 14 November 2016 had been published which includes a summary of the immediate findings of the ‘Shaping Hampshire’ consultation and its possible implications. A report will also be submitted to a meeting of the full County Council on 24 November 2016.
Councillor Perry made it clear that the County Council’s position has always been to listen to the people of Hampshire before deciding whether or not to pursue a unitary bid of any kind. The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government has stated that it is up to local authorities to decide what they want to do in regard to getting additional powers and money, and at this point appears to be of the view that any proposals must be predicated on having an elected Mayor.
The Chief Executive of Hampshire County Council, John Coughlan expanded on the Cabinet report referred to above. The views expressed in the Shaping Hampshire consultation were mixed and did not indicate a clear outcome other than there being a strong desire of the respondents for Hampshire to be kept together. In the continuing absence of credible assurances in regard to the concerns raised by the County Council, the recommendations in the Cabinet report do not support joining the Solent Combined Authority bid at this time. The Wider Hampshire bid is still considered to be a good one, however it is recognised that some of the signatories to that bid are no longer supportive. The Cabinet report registers a strong preference to retain the status quo for as long as that remains viable; registers that the County Council is opposed to Hampshire district councils joining the proposed Solent Combined Authority as constituent members and sets out a sincere invitation to continue to see what can be done collectively and collaboratively. The report also summarises the findings of engagement with the business community undertaken as part of the consultation and reflects on headline messages arising from a series of workshops held with Hampshire’s town and parish councils.
Councillor Stephen Parker provided an update on the Heart of Hampshire Combined Authority bid. A report had been commissioned by Price Waterhouse Cooper (PwC) the outcome of which indicated no enthusiasm amongst the Bid partners for wide scale unitary proposals. It was noted that PwC have been asked to examine the possibility of future two-tier working. Their report was at an advanced stage with anticipated publication at the end of November.
Councillor Simon Letts reported the views of Southampton City Council that devolution is deemed essential and the opportunity is narrow, therefore they would pursue whichever route necessary to achieve this goal.
Councillor Perry concluded the discussion and referred to the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s Autumn Statement due on 23 November which may, or may not, see the Government making an announcement about devolution bids. Without doubt financial pressures and the squeeze on local government funding is not likely to improve going forward therefore continuing to work together is increasingly important.