The Isle of Wight Council is holding an extraordinary meeting of its full council. The main item on the agenda is a report regarding devolution and the creation of a Mayoral Combined County Authority (MCCA) for Hampshire and the Solent. Councillors will also have the opportunity to ask questions.

Devolution and the Mayoral Combined County Authority

The council is scheduled to discuss a proposal for the Isle of Wight to join the government's Devolution Priority Programme (DPP) via a newly created Hampshire and Solent MCCA. According to the report pack, the Isle of Wight Council, along with Hampshire County Council, Portsmouth City Council and Southampton City Council, submitted a proposal to join the DPP in 2024 and were accepted.

The report pack includes a recommendation that the Full Council:

• Notes the summary of the draft Statutory Instrument (SI) set out in Appendix 1 and approves in principle the establishment of the Hampshire and Solent Mayoral Combined County Authority (consent to the Statutory Instrument).
• Notes the summary of the powers and competencies (functions) in the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill as set out in Appendix 2.
• Gives delegated authority to the Chief Executive after consultation with the Leader of the Council to agree the final form of any draft Parliamentary Order (Statutory Instrument) that the Government wishes to lay before Parliament to create a new Mayoral County Combined Authority (MCCA).
• Resolves that Natalie Brahma-Pearl, Returning Officer and Chief Executive at Portsmouth City Council, is to be appointed as the Combined County Authority Returning Officer (CCARO) for the 2026 mayoral elections as outlined in the report.

The report pack notes that the English Devolution White Paper outlined the government's plans to extend powers for existing mayors, while completing the map of English devolution. The government says that the paper initiates the biggest transfer of power out of Westminster to England's regions this century.

The report pack states that a public consultation was carried out between 17 February and 13 April 2025 to gather evidence on the anticipated effects of establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority across the region. The consultation sought to determine whether the proposal:

a. is likely to improve the economic, social and environmental well-being of some or all of the people who live or work in the area;

b. is appropriately having regard to the need (i) to secure effective and convenient local government, and (ii) to reflect the identities and interests of local communities; and

c. that a public consultation has been carried out and no further consultation is necessary.

The report pack also outlines the proposed functions and responsibilities of the Mayor and the MCCA. Some functions are to be exercised only by the mayor, such as powers with respect to local transport plans and powers to pay grants. Other functions are to be discharged by the MCCA, such as powers relating to passenger transport and powers to develop and implement transport strategies.

The report pack notes that the establishment of the MCCA could unlock new funding through the creation of a 30-year investment fund. The annual amount the MCCA would receive is likely to be in the region of £40m, split 50/50 between capital and revenue.

The report pack identifies a number of risks and implications for the Isle of Wight Council, including the potential for larger councils in the region to dominate decision-making, the risk of the Island feeling underrepresented, and the risk of a loss of local identity.

The report pack also presents two options for the council to consider:

• Option 1: Approve the establishment of the Hampshire and Solent MCCA.
• Option 2: Resolve not to consent to the Statutory Instrument to accept the Devolution arrangement for Hampshire and the Solent area.

The report pack states that Option 2 is not recommended, as it could result in the Isle of Wight losing access to strategic long-term investment, diminished strategic influence, and increased vulnerability to local government reorganisation.

The report pack includes two appendices:

• Appendix 1: Summary of the Statutory Instrument
• Appendix 2: Mayoral Powers and Competencies

Public Question Time

As part of the meeting, members of the public will have the opportunity to ask questions. According to the agenda, written questions must have been sent to democratic.services@iow.gov.uk no later than Friday, 26 September 2025. Each person is permitted one question, and they must name the councillor to whom it is to be put. Further details can be found in the council's Constitution (Procedure Rule 13: Questions by the Public).

Members Question Time

Councillors will have the opportunity to ask questions of the chair or other councillors, subject to Procedure Rule 14: Questions by Councillors.