PLANS to devolve power to a Hampshire 'super authority' must suit Winchester for the city to take part, a meeting heard.

Fifteen councils, including Winchester, Hampshire, Southampton and the Isle of Wight, want to form a combined authority which takes powers - and possibly money - from Whitehall.

Plans are in early stages but it is expected that Winchester City Council would gain powers in some areas and lose them in others.

Hampshire County Council has agreed to 'double devolve' parts of its powers, which include areas like education, roads, social care and environment.

But on Monday cabinet heard fears that the city could lose sovereignty over key issues like housing. Cllr James Byrnes asked whether extra homes could be imposed on the district by other parts of the authority.

Council leader Stephen Godfrey said: "Winchester is not going to be somebody else's dormitory town, and we have to make sure that all proposals for devolution work for Winchester first and foremost."

He said Hampshire does not want an elected mayor and will opt for a "looser arrangement".

Lib Dem councillor Margot Power warned legislation can change easily and it will be difficult to leave the partnership if things go against Winchester.

She told cabinet: "It seems to me that we're opening the door ... almost to [something like] the European Union. We're signing up to a trading partnership and end up electing a president. I'm not sure we have the safeguards in place to protect us from that."

More details of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight area's plans are due to sent to local government secretary Greg Clark by the end of the month.

Cabinet agreed detailed proposals will be presented to full council after discussions with the Government.