Councils across Hampshire working together to shape the future of local government – and they need your input
Test Valley Borough Council (TVBC) is working with eleven authorities across Hampshire and the Solent to transform local government.
The changes are in response to the government’s request for councils across England to look at how local government is organised.
Today, the 12 councils have launched a survey for residents to inform the biggest change to local government in 50 years. Residents are being urged to share what matters most to them in their area and help shape how local councils provide services in future—so they reflect real places, local identity and culture, priorities, and people.
The survey is available at https://ourplaceourfuture.commonplace.is/ until midnight on 27 July and takes 10 minutes to complete.
In Hampshire, in line with the government’s ask, the proposal is to move away from the current ‘two-tier’ council structure currently in place in most of the county, and replace it with a number of unitary authorities, which will provide all council services for the area they cover.
TVBC has been working with Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, Eastleigh Borough Council, Fareham Borough Council, Hart District Council, Havant Borough Council, Isle of Wight Council, New Forest District Council, Portsmouth City Council, Rushmoor Borough Council, Southampton City Council, and Winchester City Council, to develop options that would work best for residents, businesses and the wider community.
The evidence they have gathered shows that four mainland unitary councils delivering all council services in the areas they cover, would be big enough to deliver strategic services, but local enough to understand communities so they can tailor services more closely to their needs. Isle of Wight council would remain unchanged.
For Test Valley, one of the options being explored could see TVBC join with Winchester, New Forest and East Hampshire.
Leader of Test Valley Borough Council, Councillor Phil North, said: “While this is a government decision and not a path we would choose to be travelling, our focus is firmly on making sure that we put our weight behind achieving the very best outcome for Test Valley and beyond. This is the biggest change to local government in a generation and we want our communities’ needs and aspirations to be firmly at the heart of these proposals.
“It is absolutely vital, therefore, that our residents share their feedback on the options, what they really value and how any changes might impact them. Our collective preference for four mainland unitary authorities is based on making sure decisions are made as close as possible to the communities they affect. But we also know from seeing so many of the larger councils really struggling financially, that bigger is often not better in local government terms.
“In Test Valley, we are also running some more in-depth engagement with our residents to really get under the skin of people’s experiences of, and connections to, their local area, as well as their challenges and priorities. They will also seek to understand citizens’ needs and aspirations for their local council in the future.
“If you live or work in Test Valley then I would urge you to complete the survey and share it with your family, friends and colleagues to ensure that as many voices are heard as possible.”
Deputy leader of the opposition, Cllr Sandra Gidley, said: “There is no getting away from the fact that the changes to local government will be significant, so it is critical that our communities are part of the process to shape the future. That is why all councillors are working together to make sure that our residents are heard, so we can do everything in our power to secure the very best outcome for the people of Test Valley.”
Each council must decide their preferred option to submit to government in September, informed by feedback from the public.
Following submission in September, it is expected that the government will consult on the options that meet their criteria.
Hampshire County Council is also working with East Hampshire District Council to develop their own options, and they will be asking residents for feedback on their proposals separately.