The Hampshire County Council meeting scheduled for 2 October 2025 included discussion of the adoption of the South East Regional Transport Strategy, appointments to committees, and a report from the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Authority (HIWFRA). Councillors were also expected to address questions submitted under standing order 16.1.1.

Adoption of the Regional Transport Strategy

The council was asked to consider a report from the Cabinet recommending endorsement for adoption of the South East Regional Transport Strategy.

The Regional Transport Strategy, supported by a Strategic Investment Plan, provides a framework for investment in strategic transport interventions to 2050 in the South East. The strategy was last published in 2020 by Transport for the South East (TfSE) and a consultation on a revised strategy took place earlier in 2025. Hampshire County Council responded to the consultation in March, providing broad support for the draft and some suggestions for improvement, and it was noted that most of the council's suggested revisions had been addressed in the final draft.

The Cabinet Report noted that TfSE received 811 responses to the consultation and identified a number of cross-cutting themes:

1. Public health, wellbeing and active travel
2. Rural and coastal communities (and other under-served groups)
3. Beyond Decarbonisation (Wider environmental opportunities and the need to broaden narrative on decarbonisation)
4. Details on Strategic Rail Connectivity
5. Details on Resilience
6. Details on Mission Targets, Impacts
7. Changing Devolution Landscape
8. Reducing Car Use
9. Isle of Wight Ferries
10. Strategic Highway Connectivity
11. Funding and Financing

The council was asked to note the outcomes of the consultation and to agree to adopt the Regional Transport Strategy, advising TfSE accordingly.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Authority

Councillor Rhydian Vaughan MBE, Chairman of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Authority, was scheduled to present a report from the authority. The report noted that on 29 August 2025, the HIWFRA received a report from the Chief Fire Officer providing an update on the Operational Change Consultation.

The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service continues to face a budget gap, caused by costs increasing faster than funding. Ensuring financial sustainability is essential for long-term success and the proposed changes contributed to the Service-wide savings plan, with estimated permanent recurring savings of around £2 million.

The report described the analysis methods and outcomes of public and staff consultations which informed the decisions about operational changes required to meet the financial challenges. The report detailed where action had already been taken by Officers under delegated authority and reported them in accordance with the Authority's Scheme of Delegation.

The HIWFRA also received the Modern Slavery Statement and the Annual Statement of Equality, noting the progress in each and approving them for publication.

Appointments

The council was scheduled to consider a report from the Chief Executive to make any member appointments or alterations as required to the membership of committees and standing panels of the County Council, to statutory joint committees, to other proportional bodies the County Council is represented on, or to any other bodies which are not subject to proportionality rules.