In our last show of 2025, we take a look at the last Full Council meeting for 2025 of Portsmouth City Council.

Was the chamber filled with festive cheer and agreement or were 42 Grinches trying to ruin Christmas? What hint do proceedings give of the 2026 local elections campaigns?

Before the council are:-

11. A briefing on devolution

Notices of motion

12a Aquind - The Council reaffirms its opposition to the Aquind interconnector project.

12b Tackling Anti-Social Behaviour Issues in Portsmouth

12c Cross Border Taxi Licensing and Passenger Safety

12d Tackling Knife Crime and Enhancing Public Safety in Portsmouth

12e Local Government Reorganisation - call on the govt not to force Portsmouth to become a larger unitary authority (encompassing Havant, Waterlooville, Gosport & Fareham.

12f Improving Pedestrian Safety on Portsdown Hill Road

12g Investing in Early Years: Expanded Free Breakfast Clubs and Childcare for Working Families in Portsmouth

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After this week’s shock two year delay to the Mayoral elections for Hampshire & The Solent we invite candidates Cllr Martin Tod 🟧 & Anna Collar 🟩to help make sense of the mess.

-What does this mean for devolution?

-Are voters right to be confused and frustrated?

-Will Hampshire (& the Isle of Wight) miss out?

-Why the headlong rush, just to put the breaks on?

-What does this mean for candidates?

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Consultation (closes Jan 11th)

Gov.uk submissions

We take a look at Wednesday’s budget. Rachel Reeves’ 2nd as Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Will there be a 3rd? | Who are the winners? | Who the losers? Was it bold or timid? | Does the leaking or ‘testing’ of policy ahead of the budget create more uncertainty? | Will the measures announced help with cost of living, reduce burden for small businesses and pay for services? | Will the Chancellor fill the gaps in local government funding?

Which policy changes are you celebrating? | What are the changes the Chancellor could have made, but didn't?

You can watch the budget in full on the Parliament's Youtube channel.

Chancellor of the Exchequer's Speech

Leader of the Opposition's Speech

Budget document

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