Statement for Full Council on Devolution Options

Thank you, Chair and colleagues. Today, we must decide which devolution path best serves Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole. This decision is not about theoretical benefits but real, tangible outcomes for our residents, businesses, and community.

Having carefully considered both options, I believe the Hampshire Solent option is far superior to the Heart of Wessex proposal. Let me explain why.

The Hampshire Solent region has a robust economy worth over £32 billion, driven by key industries such as maritime, aerospace, advanced manufacturing, and green technologies. By contrast, the Heart of Wessex option covers a largely rural area, with a focus on agriculture and smaller-scale economies.

Joining Hampshire Solent would place BCP within a powerhouse of economic activity. For example:

· The Solent Freeport is expected to generate £2 billion in economic activity and create 52,000 jobs over the next decade.

· Southampton and Portsmouth ports handle a combined 86 million tonnes of cargo annually, supporting trade and logistics that directly benefit our local businesses.

· The Solent region is home to world-leading institutions like the National Oceanography Centre and University of Southampton, which drive research, innovation, and skilled employment opportunities.

The Heart of Wessex option cannot offer comparable economic synergies or growth prospects.

BCP’s location naturally aligns with Hampshire Solent’s existing and planned infrastructure. This includes:

· Major transport corridors such as the M27, A31, and A338, which already connect our area with Southampton and Portsmouth.

· Investment priorities that include upgrading rail links to Southampton Airport and improving coastal transport links, making travel more efficient for residents and visitors.

The Heart of Wessex option, with its rural geography, lacks the infrastructure focus that matches BCP’s needs. Its proposed priorities, such as rural broadband and agricultural development, do not align with our urban and coastal priorities.

Hampshire Solent’s approach to devolution emphasises significant investment in urban and coastal regions, ensuring local authorities have the funding to deliver on key priorities. While no current funding figures are finalised, the Solent region’s historical access to initiatives like the Freeport and green energy funds demonstrates its ability to attract large-scale investment.

The Heart of Wessex proposal, on the other hand, is dispersed across a wide area with less economic cohesion, meaning funding would be stretched thin and priorities diluted.

Our residents stand to benefit directly from the Hampshire Solent option. This is a proposal that speaks to their needs:

· High-quality, well-paying jobs in industries like advanced manufacturing and maritime.

· Better transport connections, making commutes quicker and daily life easier.

· More funding for housing, healthcare, and skills training — all areas that are top priorities for our communities.

The Heart of Wessex proposal, with its focus on rural development, risks sidelining these urban-focused initiatives.

BCP is a dynamic, urban, and coastal region. The Hampshire Solent option reflects these strengths, connecting us with partners who share our vision for growth and innovation. The Heart of Wessex option, with its emphasis on rural priorities, would dilute our identity and fail to provide the strategic alignment we need to succeed.

Colleagues, the choice before us is clear. Hampshire Solent offers BCP:

· A partnership with a thriving £32 billion economy.

· Synergies with existing infrastructure and investment priorities.

· Real opportunities for our residents in jobs, transport, and housing.

The Heart of Wessex option, by contrast, lacks the focus, cohesion, and alignment to meet our needs.

My question to you is this: Will we choose a path that aligns with BCP’s strengths and ambitions, or risk compromising our future by pursuing an option that does not reflect who we are or where we want to go?