THE leaders of Southampton and Portsmouth councils are set to work towards creating a giant “Solent City” authority representing more than a million residents.
Southampton’s chief Simon Letts has met with his Portsmouth counterpart Donna Jones – talks revealed by the Daily Echo earlier this month – and they agreed to work together on the plans.
Cllr Letts said the cities needed to “seize the opportunity” from Whitehall to have more power over public spending.
It is understood their plans would see councils work together as part of a combined authority, although not merged, to improve transport links, the number of new houses and regeneration in the region.
While Cllr Letts says the new combined authority should cover the Solent area, from the Waterside to Havant, other council leaders think it should cover the whole of Hampshire and potentially include parts of Surrey, Sussex and Dorset.
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