The Hampshire and the Solent Combined County Authority Regulations 2026

the 2023 Act The Secretary of State makes these Regulations in exercise of the powers conferred by section 3(5)(b) of the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014 and sections 9(1), 10(1) and (4), 13(1), (2) and (3), 16(1), 18(1), (3), (4) and (5), 19(1), (2) and (3), 27(1), 30(1), (7), (9), (10), 32(1) and (2), 52(1), 53(1), 252(1) and (2) of, and paragraph 3 of Schedule 1 and paragraph 3 of Schedule 2 to, the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 (“”). In making these Regulations, the Secretary of State— is satisfied that the area to which these Regulations relate meets the conditions set out in section 9(2) and (3) of the 2023 Act; considers that these Regulations ​a​re likely to improve the economic, social and​ environmental well-being of some or all of the people who live or work in the​ area to which the​ Regulations relate,​ in accordance with sections 20(1)(b) and 46(1)(a) of the 2023 Act; has had regard to the need to secure effective and convenient local government and to reflect the identities and interests of local communities,​ in accordance with section 46(1)(b) of the 2023 Act; has carried out a public consultation in accordance with section 4​6(3)​ of the 2023 Act; considers that the functions specified in regulations 8, 9 and 14 can appropriately be exercised by the Combined County Authority. In accordance with sections 10(8)(a), 16(2)(a), 18(6)(a), 20(2)(b), 28(2)(a), 30(11)(a), 46(1)(d) and 52(2) of the 2023 Act, Hampshire County Council, Isle of Wight Council, Portsmouth City Council and Southampton City Council have consented to the making of these Regulations. In accordance with section 20(6) of the 2023 Act, the Secretary of State has laid a report before Parliament explaining the effect of these Regulations and why the Secretary of State considers it appropriate to make these Regulations. A draft of this instrument has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, each House of Parliament pursuant to section 252(4) of the 2023 Act.