The chairman of the Isle of Wight Council has called an Extraordinary Full Council meeting to discuss the critical issues of devolution and local government reorganisation, as well as the potential for the local elections to be delayed.
The meeting to be held at 6pm on Wednesday, 8 January will provide a platform for councillors to debate and understand the significant implications of these developments.
Following the publication of the devolution White Paper, the government has called for expressions of interest to join the Devolution Priority Programme, alongside inviting smaller or struggling unitary authorities to propose local government reorganisation plans.
Both have implications for the Isle of Wight Council — the former continues the process started with neighbouring authorities of Southampton, Portsmouth and Hampshire, while the latter will require further conversations with the government regarding the implications for the Island.
The government has established strict timelines for both devolution and local government review, which are being considered simultaneously.
Authorities in the Solent and Hampshire regions must confirm their participation in the Devolution Priority Programme and their stance on local government review by 10 January 2025.
These decisions could also affect local elections scheduled for May 2025, with the possibility of delays depending on the outcomes.
If the priority programme is not pursued, the local government review timelines will be shortened.
The council must indicate its views and plans on the geography of a larger unitary authority before May 2025, including the government's guideline of a minimum population of 500,000.
In response to these urgent requirements, and following council debate, a paper will be presented to the Cabinet on 9 January to address the expression of interest and its implications for the upcoming elections.
Although these matters are executive decisions, the Cabinet will be informed by the Full Council debate.
The Full Council papers are available to read on the council's website.
Council leader, Councillor Phil Jordan, said:
"The council faces a choice between a devolution arrangement with potential priority status and a local government reorganisation that could result in a larger unitary authority, potentially including the Island.
"Neighbouring authorities in Southampton, Portsmouth, and Hampshire are also holding appropriate meetings to make decisions on devolution and local government reorganisation."
Council chairman, Councillor Karl Love, added:
"I am dismayed by the government's timing in making this announcement.
"It came when officers and councillors were preparing for the festive season, were on leave, and are busy preparing our council budget proposals for 2025.
"The timing feels very contrived, and I shall be making this point to the minister."
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