WINCHESTER City Council chiefs have been invited to future discussions on devolution.

The proposal for a devolution deal for the Solent group of authorities currently does not include Winchester.

However, city council leader Stephen Godfrey said that the council had been invited to attend meetings of that group and that it was his intention to accept that offer.

He said this would allow the council to find out more about what was being discussed so that council bosses could consider all options open to it.

As reported, negotiations over a Hampshire-wide deal to transfer power down from government to local level were launched two years ago.

But the government has opted for the Solent area instead after resistance to plans for a mayor from some council leaders.

The area would cover Southampton and Portsmouth city councils, Eastleigh, Gosport, Fareham and Havant borough councils, East Hampshire District Council and the Isle of Wight Council.

Cllr Godfrey said there had been meetings with north Hampshire authorities who are also excluded from the current deal to consider what they would like see to see in any potential devolution agreement for Hampshire or a Solent group.

Cllr Godfrey said that the council would be focused on what was in the best interests of the council and its residents.

He said no decisions would be made without consultations with the public and councillors.