You’re invited to a business breakfast briefing and discussion on government plans to devolve resources and powers to Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. The briefing will present the conclusions of a recent 'citizens assembly'* that considered these issues and ask what light they shed on the business case for (and against) devolution.

The meeting will be held from 9-10am on Tuesday 16th February in Building 177, Room 2011 at the University of Southampton Bolderwood Innovation Campus, Burgess Road, SO16 7QF. Breakfast will be provided.

The discussion is aimed at business leaders in the region.

The briefing will cover:

• Why devolution is important to businesses in the area
• An overview of Assembly South – why it was organised, some of the methods used to encourage an open debate about priorities for southern England, and an outline of the results of the two weekends
• A discussion of how business could be consulted as the Hampshire and Isle of Wight devolution bid moves on

You will hear from academic experts Professor Graham Smith (University of Westminster) and Professor Will Jennings (University of Southampton). You will also receive briefing material from the Southern Policy Centre thinktank.

We hope you can make it along to what promises to be a unique and important event in the devolution process for our region.

* The recent Solent based Assembly South constitutional convention, brought local residents together to discuss the options for devolution over two weekends. Assembly South was a pilot project, funded by the Economic and Social Science Research Council, with one other convention being held in Sheffield. The process has cross party support and a coalition of supporters are looking to replicate it across the country.