Test Valley Borough Council backs historic proposal to join New Forest, Winchester and East Hampshire
Test Valley borough councillors yesterday voted to back a bold plan for local government reorganisation, which would see them join with Winchester, New Forest and East Hampshire to create a new unitary council.
At last night’s special cabinet and council meetings, councillors considered a joint proposal drafted by 12 of the 15 councils in Hampshire, titled ‘Close enough to be local, big enough to stay strong’. It puts forward the case to government, supported by extensive evidence, analysis and research, to create four new mainland authorities for the area grouped around the major centres of Southampton, Portsmouth, Winchester and Basingstoke. The Isle of Wight would remain its own island unitary authority.
It has been produced in response to the government’s decision to replace the current system of councils in Hampshire - including Hampshire County Council, the 11 district and borough councils and the existing unitary councils - with new unitary councils each covering a population of approximately 500,000.
All three proposed options in the document meet the government’s criteria for reorganisation, and financial analysis shows that each would deliver more than £63 million in recurring annual savings, through streamlined services, reduced duplication, and more efficient governance.
In line with the preferred option selected by local residents, TVBC has thrown its weight behind option one, which would see it join with the three largely rural authorities in mid-Hampshire.
Leader of Test Valley Borough Council, Councillor Phil North, said: "Last night marked a historic moment, as we cemented our agreement to back the creation of four mainland authorities for Hampshire, and an option that would bring together Winchester, New Forest, East Hampshire and Test Valley to form one of those.
“Despite LGR not being our choice, we have worked collaboratively and constructively with councils of different political make-ups and different demographics across Hampshire. And the overwhelming majority of Hampshire authorities agree that four mainland councils offer the very best way forward for our communities. In our view, option one creates councils that make sense as they are grouped around similar communities and economies and give us a real opportunity to transform how we deliver services.
“Unfortunately, the County Council are still suggesting we should be run from Southampton. Our residents have been clear they don’t want to be joined with a large city - and Southampton agrees that wouldn’t work either. I hope the government decides not to pursue that proposal.
“I am proud of the work we have done to make the very best of the hand we have been dealt, and I look forward to submitting our case to government tomorrow.”