Published: April 30, 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). This edition covers progress in Economic Development and Regeneration, a key policy area for the region.
Local Growth Plan for the region
A key task for the HSCCA will be to develop a Local Growth Plan for the region. This is one of the statutory plans that the Combined Authority must produce and is referred to by government as the ‘guiding star’ for Combined Authorities. As set out in Government guidance, the Local Growth Plan should include as a minimum:
- An economic overview of the region, including an ambitious, long-term vision for how to make the region more productive and a focus on how local enablers will drive growth. The economic overview should identify the key strengths, opportunities and challenges for the regional economy and include an overview of the most significant growth-driving sectors for the region.
- A number of shared priorities that are agreed with Government. Shared priorities should be the region’s most significant opportunities for and constraints to economic growth and they should be cross-cutting priorities that can benefit a wide range of sectors and the regional economy at large.
- An investment pipeline of priority projects that have specific significance for enabling growth. Local Growth Plans should highlight between four and 10 projects that are critical for unlocking growth in the region and which have the potential to attract private investment, either with or without concurrent public investment or commitment. This small number of priority projects will be part of a much larger regional project pipeline.
The journey so far…
During recent months, local authorities across Hampshire and the Solent have been working together to build a shared evidence base that will underpin the development of the Local Growth Plan once the HSCCA is established. This included a call for evidence from regional stakeholders involved in driving economic growth, which was issued in November. We received a range of responses across different sectors and organisations with over 200 documents submitted, which are currently being synthesised into an evidence report. We have also commissioned a report looking at learning from other comparable regions in the UK and overseas. The project is also pulling together a comprehensive, up-to-date overview of economic data about Hampshire and the Solent. These reports, alongside other inputs, will all contribute to ensuring that the Local Growth Plan for Hampshire and the Solent is based on robust evidence.
The Solent Freeport’s importance for the region
The Local Growth Plan for Hampshire and the Solent will play a vital role in harnessing the opportunities presented by the Solent Freeport, ensuring that its benefits are fully integrated into the wider strategy for economic growth.
The Solent Freeport was designated by Government in December 2022 and is one of 12 Freeports across the UK. Freeports are hubs for global trade, investment, and innovation within the UK that create a favourable environment and exciting opportunities for businesses to grow. By choosing to invest within a UK Freeport, business can access a wide range of customs and tax benefits.
The Solent Freeport stretches across three sites located in and around the Solent, making it one of the UK’s most important gateways to European and global markets, with a population exceeding 1.25 million and over 42,000 businesses operating in the area. The Solent Freeport will retain 100% of the additional business rates generated across these sites, forecast to be in excess of £400 million over 25 years.
Solent Freeport will reinvest retained business rates back into the Solent to unlock long‑term economic growth and strengthen the region’s industrial base. This funding will be used to support business expansion, innovation and productivity through targeted infrastructure, skills and investment programmes. By focusing on priority sectors – advanced manufacturing, clean energy and defence – Solent Freeport will build on the region’s established strengths. Retaining and reinvesting in growth locally ensures that the benefits of Freeport designation are felt across the Solent, supporting ambitious businesses to scale, innovate and compete globally.
The Solent Freeport is supportive of the creation of the HSCCA. We are committed to working with partners across the Solent to make the Authority a success for the businesses and people of the Solent. The coming months offer the opportunity for the Freeport to ensure that the HSCCA and the Freeport are closely aligned, avoid duplication and operate as efficiently as possible as a key enabler of economic growth. The Solent Freeport Board is already made up of a number of the key partners that will be involved in the establishment of the HSCCA, and we are looking forward to a collaborative and positive relationship going forward.
Other updates from the devolution programme
Local Assurance Framework
The Local Assurance Framework (LAF) provides assurance across the Combined County Authority covering the governance structure, transparency, financial management and project management.
It is a public facing document that outlines
- The roles and responsibilities of the Combined County Authority Board and other decision-making and delivery structures.
- The key processes to ensure accountability, fairness, transparency, legal compliance, and value for money.
- How the CCA will engage with the public; the business sector, public, voluntary and third sector organisations and other key stakeholders.
- How proposed investments/projects will be prioritised, assessed, approved, and delivered.
- How the progress and results of these investments/projects will be monitored and evaluated.
- How decisions and performance (including project delivery) will be communicated.
Collaborative working across the portfolio, and key government departments (Ministry of Homes Communities and Local Government, Department for Transport and Department of Work and Pensions) has been underway since the autumn. The final submission has been made, and we are expecting to hear confirmation of sign off in May.
The LAF must be approved by the above departments and receive formal government sign off before the Investment Fund is released to the HSCCA.
The HSCCA Constitution
The constitution is another key document that has been in development for a number of months and will be adopted at the inaugural HSCCA Board meeting in the summer. It underpins the governance, structures and processes to support the effective running of the HSCCA and its decision-making. It also ensures transparency and accountability in how the HSCCA will operate.
Statutory Instrument update
The Statutory Instrument to establish the Hampshire and the Solent Combined County Authority was laid before Parliament on 16 March 2026 and is progressing through the review process. It will be debated in parliament before being signed into law. Legal establishment of the HSCCA is expected in late May or early June, subject to the timeline for parliamentary approval.