What is a Mayor?

The Mayor of Hampshire and the Solent will be a directly elected leader for the new Strategic Authority, which will cover all of Hampshire including Portsmouth, Southampton, and the Isle of Wight. Initially, this will be delivered through a MCCA until new Strategic Authority legislation is passed.

This Mayor will provide strategic leadership on big issues that affect the whole area – such as transport, housing, skills, and economic growth. These powers come from national legislation and will grow over time. Meanwhile, councils will continue to run most day-to-day services like schools, waste collection, and libraries. The Mayor will work with these councils through a new regional authority structure.

Key Features

• Direct mandate – elected by everyone across the Strategic Authority area.
• Strategic leadership – sets a long-term vision and works with a cabinet (currently five seats), under scrutiny from councillors.
• Public accountability – publishes strategies and reports, and is directly answerable to voters.
• Part of wider reform – linked to the move towards unitary councils and new Strategic Authorities across England.

Note: The Mayor will first work with existing councils starting on 7th May 2026, then with new unitary councils from 2028.

👉 Learn more: Powers, Working with Councils, Scrutiny