The Liberal Democrat Group have set out their priorities for engaging with the government on their devolution proposals set out in a White Paper published just before Christmas 2024:

• The Isle of Wight Council must remain a standalone unitary authority, as it has been for nearly thirty years, and must not be merged with mainland councils
• Local elections in May this year must not be postponed, allowing residents to exercise their democratic right to choose their representatives after four years of service
• Devolution must come with powers and oversight on critical issues, particularly cross-Solent transport and the design and delivery of healthcare that is focused on the unique needs of the Isle of Wight

It’s astonishing that the government published sweeping proposals on local government in a White Paper barely a week before Christmas, and followed up with a letter demanding a decision from the council by 10 January. We hope that the government will recognise that rushing things along will make it harder to get devolution right.

In principle, we support devolution, moving decision-making away from Whitehall and closer to local communities. However, how the new strategic authority is set up must recognise the Island’s unique situation and ensure that our voice is heard as loudly as any of our mainland neighbours.

Although the government’s White Paper covers bus and rail transport, it neglects ferries – a crucial issue that holds back the Island’s local economy and limits opportunities for innovation. This is symptomatic of central government thinking only of mainland England and overlooking the Isle of Wight. The government must put this right.

As a unitary authority delivering the full range of council services for nearly thirty years there is no case for Isle of Wight Council to be merged with mainland councils. The extra costs we face require fair funding for the Isle of Wight from central government – they won’t magically disappear just by making us part of a bigger cross-Solent unitary authority.

Finally, elections in May must go ahead. Residents rightly expect to have their say on who represents them, particularly in ensuring that devolution truly benefits the Island.