Published: May 12, 2026
Introduction
Welcome to the Hampshire and Solent devolution update, with news on progress towards establishing the Hampshire and the Solent Combined County Authority (HSCCA).
Programme Updates
Parliamentary Process
The draft Statutory Instrument (SI) to establish the Hampshire and Solent Combined County Authority (HSCCA) was debated in the House of Lords on 18 May and debated in the House of Commons on 20 May. With approval from both Houses, the SI has now been made by the Secretary of State meaning that the HSCCA has now been legally established as an organisation. The devolution programme team continue to work on the practical steps to make it operational.
Inaugural Meeting
Following formal establishment, the inaugural meeting of the Hampshire and Solent Combined County Authority (HSCCA) is expected to take place in July.
The meeting will bring together the Leaders of the constituent upper-tier authorities, alongside the HSCCA Chief Executive, Section 73 Officer and Monitoring Officer.
Further details, including the agenda and papers, will be published on the HSCCA website in advance of the meeting
Recruitment Process
As the Hampshire and Solent Combined County Authority (HSCCA) reaches this significant milestone, recruitment to key roles continues.
This first phase of leadership appointments will focus on critical positions required to stand up the organisation and support its early operations. These roles will be instrumental in shaping the HSCCA’s structure, establishing core functions and providing the leadership and capacity needed to deliver its priorities from day one. Helping to embed organisational culture, develop ways of working and ensure the authority is positioned to operate effectively from the outset.
Further recruitment phases will follow, building on this initial core to create a fully resourced organisation capable of delivering an ambitious programme for the region that will be shaped by the HSCCA Board.
Details of the roles, timelines and application processes will be shared shortly.
Transport Update
This edition highlights progress on transport as the Hampshire and the Solent Combined County Authority (HSCCA) moves towards establishment. Transport delivery across the region continues to be led by the Upper Tier Local Authorities, helping to ensure that transport strategy, policy, bus service activity and local transport programmes continue smoothly while arrangements are put in place for the new authority. This includes ongoing work with communities, partners, stakeholders and government to support people’s journeys, improve connectivity and maintain access to essential services. This means services and projects can keep moving forward while the region prepares for the HSCCA to take on its strategic role for transport.
There is also a clear national policy direction for transport devolution. The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026 received Royal Assent on 29 April
2026 and creates a new framework for Strategic Authorities, including combined county authorities, with responsibilities across areas such as transport and infrastructure. This gives
regions like Hampshire and the Solent a stronger basis for long-term planning and more coordinated, long-term investment.
Locally, work is continuing to support a smooth transition to the HSCCA becoming the sole Local Transport Authority for the whole region, although this won’t happen in full until
2028. The legislation allows time for the new authority to develop its transport capability while constituent councils continue to lead day-to-day delivery. This is called the
concurrency period, when the existing Local Transport Authorities continue to fulfil their responsibilities, whilst the HSCCA gradually takes responsibilities on over this time. This will support a practical and stable transition ahead of the first Mayoral election in May 2028.
Wider transport policy changes are also creating new opportunities for local areas. Recent reforms include stronger powers to tackle dangerous pavement parking, proposals for national minimum standards in taxi and private hire licensing, and future legislation on new licensing powers for rental bikes and e-bikes. Together, these changes support better connectivity, safer streets, improved integration across transport modes and greater flexibility for local leaders to respond to local needs.