For too long, the most important decisions affecting our city—from how our buses run to where our major infrastructure investments go—have been made by civil servants in Whitehall. That is finally changing.
In March 2026, the Government confirmed that Southampton is at the heart of a transformative shift in power. Through Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) and the creation of the Hampshire and the Solent Mayoral Combined County Authority (MCCA), we are bringing decision-making back to the South Coast.
As your Labour councillors, we have fought for a deal that protects Southampton’s identity while unlocking the massive investment our city deserves.
Here is why this is a historic win for our community.
This isn’t just a change on a map; it’s a massive injection of capital. We have secured a £1.3 billion investment fund to be delivered over the next 30 years.
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Upfront Funding: We’ve negotiated more funding in the early years to kickstart major projects immediately.
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Local Control: This money won’t be tied up in Westminster red tape. It will be spent on our priorities: regeneration, housing, and local jobs.
We know how frustrating the “two-tier” confusion of the past has been. Under the new devolution deal, the regional Mayor and the Combined Authority will have the power to:
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Integrate Ticketing: Imagine a “tap-on, tap-off” system that works across buses, trains, and ferries—similar to London.
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Decarbonise Travel: We will have the authority to invest in cleaner, greener bus fleets to improve our air quality.
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Control Rail Stations: We are seeking greater control over our local stations to turn them into better hubs for regeneration and accessibility.
Southampton is already a “unitary” authority—meaning we provide all our services in one place. However, the wider Hampshire area has been held back by a complex “two-tier” system. The Government’s decision to move toward single-tier councils across the region means:
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Greater Efficiency: Reducing the number of councils saves money that can be reinvested into frontline services.
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A Balanced Partnership: Southampton will join with Eastleigh and parts of the Waterside and Test Valley to form a new, stronger council area. This ensures our city isn’t an island but a leader in a powerful, unified local authority.
By partnering with Homes England, we are unlocking earlier access to major regeneration funding. For Southampton, this means:
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New Affordable Housing: More power to build the homes our residents actually need.
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Adult Skills: Control over the adult education budget will allow us to train Southampton residents for the high-tech, green-energy, and maritime jobs of the future.
While the first Mayoral election has been scheduled for May 2028, the work starts now. The Combined Authority is being established this year, and we are already working to ensure Southampton’s voice is the loudest at the table.
We are choosing to lead, not follow. We are choosing to invest in our people, our transport, and our future. This is about making sure that the wealth and opportunities generated in Southampton stay in Southampton.