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Devolution has been high on the agenda over recent months, bringing with it significant opportunities for Hampshire. At its core, devolution will transfer greater powers and funding from central government to the region, enabling more locally informed decision-making. A central feature of this new model will be the introduction of a directly elected Mayor. While elections were initially expected last month, we’ve all no doubt seen the Government’s change of approach, with these now scheduled to take place in 2028. It will be interesting to see whether this has implications on candidates and whether we see new faces by the time campaigning properly gets going.
Despite this change in timeline, progress towards devolution has continued at pace. The Hampshire & Solent Combined County Authority has, just last week, been formally established following parliamentary approval. With an Interim Chief Executive already appointed and an inaugural meeting of the H&SCCA due shortly, we’re now seeing devolution plans become reality. This new strategic authority, which in time will be led by the Mayor and supported by local council leaders, will take on responsibility for a wide range of strategic areas, including housing, skills, transport, economic growth, and spatial planning.
For the housing sector and its stakeholders, this presents a particularly important opportunity. The Combined County Authority is expected to play a pivotal role in supporting both the delivery of new homes and the improvement of existing housing stock. Early engagement will be critical to ensure that housing priorities are clearly understood and reflected in future policy and investment decisions.
We’re already working proactively with partners across the sector as part of a dedicated devolution housing group. Together, we’re developing a shared prospectus to articulate our collective ambition and outline key priorities for the region. This collaborative approach should help ensure that the voice of housing is strong, aligned, and influential as new governance structures are established and policy approaches established.
Local government reorganisation
Alongside devolution, Hampshire is also preparing for major changes to its local government structure. The Government’s plans to replace existing councils with new unitary authorities have now been announced. The new councils are due to be established in April 2028, with shadow authorities operating from 2027 to support the transition.
These reforms are intended to streamline local government, deliver efficiency savings, and improve service delivery. While the long-term direction is widely recognised as necessary, particularly given the financial and operational pressures facing many councils, the transition period will inevitably present some challenges. For organisations that work closely with local authorities, maintaining continuity and clarity during this time will be essential.
We’ve been actively engaging with local MPs and stakeholders to highlight the importance of seeing this transition managed effectively, particularly the need to minimise disruption and ensure continuity of key services and partnerships.
Looking ahead
Taken together, devolution and local government reorganisation represent one of the most significant shifts in local governance in recent years. While there will be challenges to navigate in the short term, these changes also create a strong foundation for future growth, collaboration, and innovation across Hampshire.
For the sector, this is a crucial moment for us to proactively engage, shape priorities, and build relationships for the benefit of existing and future customers and communities.