English Devolution White Paper

In December 2024, the Government published the English Devolution White Paper, setting out a major programme of reform to local government.

For Hampshire, the White Paper has two linked but separate strands:

1. Devolution: Strategic Authority via a CCA/MCCA

Hampshire and the Solent has been identified as a candidate for a Strategic Authority.
Currently, this will be delivered through a CCA made by secondary legislation. Government intends to bring an English Devolution Bill to automatically confer the full Devolution Framework on the authority; if not, ministers will confer those functions by secondary legislation. The authority will cover all of Hampshire and the Solent.
Once the Mayor is elected on 4th May 2028, the CCA will become an MCCA (originally planned for May 2026).
This new regional body will take on strategic responsibilities such as transport, housing, skills, and infrastructure.

The White Paper also requires all two-tier areas (county + districts) to transition to unitary councils.
In Hampshire, this means:
- Hampshire County Council will be abolished.
- Existing Unitaries will be abolished.
- All Hampshire district and borough councils will be abolished.
- They will be replaced by either 4 or 5 new unitary authorities, depending on the model chosen.
Shadow elections for the new unitaries are planned for May 2027, with the councils going live on 1 April 2028.

The CCA will begin operating from 2026, before the Mayor is elected.
Until 2028, Hampshire County Council represents the whole county (including districts) on the CCA .
On 4th May 2028, the Mayor will be elected and the CCA becomes an MCCA .
From April 2028, the new unitary councils will replace the existing members.