LOCAL elections in May could be postponed as Hampshire County Council looks set to apply to be part of the government’s fast-track devolution process.
As reported in the A&T, the authority is set to hold an extraordinary meeting next Thursday to discuss the government’s devolution plans, which would spell the end of New Forest District Council.
The government’s landmark English Devolution White Paper, published at the end of last year, confirms proposals to abolish the two-tier local government system, with every region of England covered by new “strategic authorities”, similar to those which currently have elected regional mayors.
New Forest District Council offices in Lyndhurst
This would mean thousands of local authorities, including NFDC, would be scrapped.
The county council has now confirmed its intention to apply for the government’s priority programme, which it says will unlock the opportunities devolved powers would have “as quickly as possible” for the benefit of residents and communities across the region.
This follows an agreement with the Isle of Wight Council, Portsmouth City Council and Southampton City Council at the end of August 2024 to submit a joint Expression of Interest (EOI) to the government to form a single combined authority for the collective area of the four upper tier authorities.
HCC leader Cllr Nick Adams-King
HCC leader, Cllr Nick Adams-King, said: “We are on the brink of a transformative journey for Hampshire, and the vehicle driving us forward is devolution.
“Our goal is a Hampshire & Solent [authority] where decisions – big and small – are made close to the people they affect; where less bureaucracy means quicker, simpler processes; and where councils can deliver even better value for money to residents and businesses.”
He added he would be seeking the backing of all county councillors to support recommendations set to be put forward at the meeting, which includes the creation of a combined authority across the wider region and the inclusion in the Devolution Priority Programme.
A report to members states: “As a consequence of joining the Devolution Priority Programme, the county council will request to government a 12-month postponement of the county council elections due to take place in May 2025 to provide a necessary stable platform on which devolution proposals can progress at pace to ensure the benefits of devolution for the area are realised as quickly as possible.”
Cllr Adams-King added: “As I have made clear previously, I have been in active dialogue with the leaders of the unitary, borough and district authorities over these past months so that we would be in a position to be able to take control of our future and secure the best deal possible as soon as the chance arose. That time is now.”
Cllr Adams-King has also responded to concerns raised by Lymington and Pennington mayor, Cllr Jack Davies, that the town hall could be lost if NFDC is axed.
Cllr Davies said the town council was exploring “every option available” to keep the building in public use and had written to Cllr Adams-King, urging him to push the government for a bespoke deal.
HCC’s leader said while it was “too early” for details of any new local council configuration to be confirmed as yet, he made reassurances there would be no changes to parish and town councils as a result of local government reorganisation.
He added: “Cllr Davies is wrong to suggest that Lymington Town Hall would be a certain casualty. The experience elsewhere when new councils have been formed has been to strengthen town and parish governance, Weymouth, Salisbury and Dorchester being pertinent examples.”