Jim McMahon
Jim McMahon
Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution Jim McMahon speaking during a visit to Southampton on Tuesday, April 1, 2025. Picture: LDRS
Jim McMahon
Jim McMahon
Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution Jim McMahon speaking during a visit to Southampton on Tuesday, April 1, 2025. Picture: LDRS
Jim McMahon on devolution
Jim McMahon on devolution
Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution Jim McMahon discusses some of the key talking points of proposals for the Hampshire and Solent region
The government “embraces” elected mayors having a big set of responsibilities, a minister has said.
Concerns have been raised that the proposed structure for devolution in Hampshire and the Solent will give too much control to a single person.
As part of the government’s devolution priority programme, a new mayoral combined county authority (MCCA) for the region is set to be created, with the first election taking place in May 2026.
The mayor is likely to have responsibility for areas such as skills, transport and strategic planning.
Funding arrangements are yet to be set out but powers will be transferred down from Westminster.
Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution Jim McMahon visited Southampton this week to promote the ongoing public consultation on the plans, which closes on April 13.
