Test Valley leader responds to government announcement regarding local government reorganisation
The government has today announced that it will review its decisions on local government reorganisation and has withdrawn its decision for Hampshire and the Solent.
Leader of Test Valley Borough Council, Councillor Phil North, has issued this statement in response:
"We have been notified this afternoon that central government will be reviewing local government reorganisation (LGR) across the country, and in our area has formally withdrawn the decision for Hampshire and the Solent. Local government reorganisation was never a path that we chose to walk down, but having been directed by the government, we have always sought to secure the very best outcome for the residents of Test Valley. It is frustrating that it feels that we have been marched up to the top of the hill, just to be marched back down again. Though it seems at this point that this is just a pause in the process. More positively though, this will give us more time to deliver on our ambitious plans for our communities, including the next phases of town centre regeneration in both Andover and Romsey.
"Whatever comes next, our commitment to securing the very best outcome for Test Valley residents remains. If LGR is to continue, that means creating a new authority where Test Valley communities are not dominated by a large urban area. Whilst at the same time putting people and communities at the heart of public services.
"The government's review is also another chance to lobby for all our Test Valley communities to remain together, including those in Chilworth, Nursling, Rownhams and Valley Park, which the government had previously decided to put in a new urban-centric South-West authority.”