Mayor and devolution plan rejected by island council

A devolution plan that could have led to an elected mayor for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight has been rejected by the island's council.

The government wants to introduce elected mayors for every English region, and its proposals could result in new authorities given powers currently held by Whitehall.

Portsmouth City Council's cabinet formally said it supported asking for devolved powers on Wednesday, with Southampton City Council also agreeing earlier this week.

But the Isle of Wight Council voted against the plan, with 16 councillors opposed, 12 in favour, and three abstaining.

One of those who abstained was council leader Phil Jordan, who said he had received legal advice on voting.

He told councillors in Wednesday's meeting that he estimated the devolution deal could mean extra funding for the region of between £30m and £60m a year for as many as 30 years.

But Joe Robertson, an Isle of Wight councillor and the Isle of Wight East's Conservative MP, said he worried the council could lose critical powers to the strategic authority, like deciding how many houses are built.

The government wants councils to send expressions of interest for the changes by Friday, with their leaders expected to hold roles on the potential strategic combined authorities.

Hampshire County Council will debate the move later on Thursday, but it remains unclear what the implications of any request might lead to without the island's support.

Portsmouth City Council leader Steve Pitt was critical of the government and labelled its reorganisation plans, which could result in his authority merging with others, "completely insane".

His cabinet agreed the government should "keep its hands off Portsmouth" but that it supported the potential devolution plan as the "only option available" to it.

Mr Pitt said deputy prime minister Angela Rayner had previously promised to reset government's relationship with councils, but that it had "railroaded" proposals through and operated as an "elective dictatorship".

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