Isle of Wight and Hampshire Fire Services Set for Merger Consultation
A bold plan to create a combined fire authority for the Isle of Wight and Hampshire has been given the green light. The Isle of Wight Council’s Cabinet has approved a detailed business case and launched a 12-week public consultation to gauge opinion on the proposal.
Consultation to Kick Off This Summer
The consultation will gather views from unions, town and parish councils, and local residents. It runs alongside a similar exercise in Hampshire, with findings expected early next year. If successful, the new combined authority would merge the Island’s fire governance—currently run by the Isle of Wight Council—with Hampshire Fire Authority, which covers Portsmouth and Southampton.
What’s at Stake?
Councillor Tig Outlaw, Cabinet member for public protection, said:
“Our plan is to now get underway with the consultation as soon as is practical – and we will publicise full details of how people can contribute their views. “This is about securing the best future for our Island community, ensuring the service’s resilience and our residents’ safety. “No changes to frontline operations are planned. The focus is on governance improvements, efficiency, and strengthening community safety initiatives. “We’ve had a strategic partnership with Hampshire since 2015 that boosted capacity and career opportunities. That ends in 2020, so this combined authority is the next step forward.”
Next Steps and Decision Timeline
- Consultation runs for 12 weeks, starting this summer.
- Results will be reported early next year.
- Following public and council review, the proposal goes back to Cabinet.
- Final decision rests with the Secretary of State.
This move promises to enhance fire service capacity and improve prevention efforts across communities and businesses. Islanders will soon have their say on a decision that could reshape local fire governance for decades to come.
