Calls for a referendum could scupper Solent devolution deal for transport

Calls for a referendum threaten plans for a combined authority and devolution deal covering transport for the Solent authorities in Hampshire.

The Solent councils claimed in the spring to have struck a deal with Government for an elected mayor-led combined authority covering Portsmouth, Southampton, the Isle of Wight and districts in south Hampshire. The leader of Portsmouth, Councillor Donna Jones, said the authority has "reached the conclusion of negotiations". Southampton's Labour leader Councillor Simon Letts, while saying the Government had "shoe-horned people into arrangements," believed it was "a good deal".

There's a lack of involvement with the residents of Portsmouth in making decisions about Portsmouth.

The referendum vote to leave the European Union subsequently put the deal on hold until a new Prime Minister is selected by Conservative party members, it was reported. Now, the Lib Dem opposition on Portsmouth has cried foul over the proposals, agreed at breakneck speed in the spring. Councillor Gerald Vernon-Jackson, Lib Dem group leader, told the local press: "There's a lack of transparency and involvement with the residents of Portsmouth in making decisions about Portsmouth."

"Portsmouth won't be able to sort out what happens to its main roads. That will happen somewhere else. So we should be asking people what they think abou tthis. We're doing this more undemocratically than anywhere else... in Portsmouth there is no debate at full council. I'm concerned about us concentrating power in the hands of one person."

The News said that the Solent leaders met local government secretary Greg Clark in Bournemouth and have written to him saying they hope to consult over the plans over the summer.