ARE we seeing the beginning of the end for Southampton City Council? Probably not.

Yet the discussions that look set to begin over the future shape of any new regional authority that will be able to tap into the current new mood for extra devolution are certainly welcome.

At present, as this paper reports, these ideas are at a very early stage. But time is of the essence if Southampton and indeed Hampshire are to take advantage of the newly discovered willingness in Whitehall and the corridors of power to relinquish some authority and funding to the regions.

Two questions arise. Will local politicians ever agree to allowing powers and responsibilities to migrate to a new body? Will the local populations ever agree to an extra tier of local government if it comes at a price?

But we are where we are and at least the journey had begun. How brave the new future will be remains to be seen.