While some leaders welcome the opportunity for greater local control and increased funding, others worry about the potential loss of Basingstoke’s unique identity, the impact of merging councils into larger unitary authorities, and the risks of delayed elections.
Here is what local leaders think about the proposed changes under the devolution of power:
Nick Adams-King, Hampshire County Council leader:
Nick Adams-King 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 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.
There has been much discussion recently about the prospect of devolution for, and local government reorganisation in, Hampshire. I therefore wanted to provide you with some clarity about the current situation.
I believe devolution would be a beneficial move for Hampshire. Devolution means moving powers, and the money to enact them, from central government to a more local level. These powers would be devolved to a combined authority, in our case covering Hampshire and the Solent (including Southampton, Portsmouth, and the Isle of Wight), overseen by an elected mayor. The new government wants us to be one of their priority areas, targeting implementation by May 2026.
While I welcome devolution I have strong concerns about Local Government Reorganisation, which the Labour Government is closely linking to the devolution process.
Let me be clear, this journey is one the Labour Government is requiring Hampshire to take. There is no alternative, and I liken it to travelling in a vehicle where the government controls the accelerator and the brakes, better therefore that we have control of the steering wheel rather than leave the route and destination to chance
It’s crucial for the county council to have a strong voice in these discussions to represent our residents’ interests. A full council meeting has been called for January 9 to decide the best way forward, with Cabinet ratification of the council’s decision the following day. If we proceed with the priority list, the government will determine by late January whether the 2025 county elections will be postponed.
Why would elections be postponed? The government must carry out a full consultation on their devolution proposals. They aim to complete this and conclude any negotiations by summer. The uncertainty of an election, and the inability to complete a consultation during the pre-election period, would disrupt the consultation and negotiation process too greatly. Hence, the government expects those on the priority programme to request their elections be postponed.
If Hampshire is accepted as a priority area, we will need to submit our proposals for new council areas by the autumn. If we do not enter the priority programme, then the government expects proposals for new councils to be submitted by May.
Before Christmas local leaders met with local government minister Baroness Taylor and several important principles were clarified:
• The size of new Unitary authorities: populations of at least 500,000 but less than 1.2 million: Hampshire is too large to become a single unitary authority.
• Southampton and Portsmouth must expand and cannot remain unchanged.
• Existing district and borough boundaries should be retained as much as possible when creating new Unitary Councils.
• A decision on the proposed way forward must be submitted to the Government by January 10, 2025.
As this situation evolves, I am clear the focus must be on ensuring reforms deliver benefits such as:
• cost reductions for residents,
• service protection and simplification, and
• safeguarding frontline staff.
Councils across Hampshire employ thousands of staff and contract with thousands more partners and businesses, all of whom rely on us for their livelihoods. More importantly, tens of thousands of people rely on their local council for support and assistance. These people must be at the forefront of our decision-making. We should and must only move forward with reform if the outcome for our residents is an improvement on the services and support they currently receive.
While devolution presents a promising path forward for Hampshire, it’s essential to navigate the associated local government reforms carefully, ensuring they truly benefit the residents and communities they aim to serve.
I remain positive and hopeful as we enter this New Year, the path ahead is difficult and full of challenges. Working alongside my colleagues of all political colours I am sure we will, together, find the best way forward, one that will result in a positive improvement for all of us who live in our wonderful county.
Cllr Paul Harvey, Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council leader, responding as Basingstoke Independent Group leader:
Paul Harvey (Image: Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council) As Independent Forum Councillors we believe in localism, that decisions are best made by people close to their communities. Our priority is always the communities we represent, we are not beholden to any national political agenda. Our focus is totally local to Basingstoke & Deane. So, bigger and more remote councils are not better and listening to people and connecting their needs to a council that actually delivers locally is critical.
Whatever comes now has to be in the best interests of the residents of Basingstoke & Deane, that is a principle we’re fighting for. Let’s be absolutely clear, Basingstoke & Deane is a successful borough council. We are absolutely determined to focus on getting on with the job of investing in the services people get from the borough council, on delivering an improved Leisure Park, town centre and the socially rented housing people need and so much more. We cannot take our eyes off that agenda – to make life better for everyone who lives and works in our borough. That is what matters most.
We need to see the details of the government’s proposals. No knee jerk reactions, but careful and reasoned action based on facts. A new council that is truly connected to local people. We are fighting for the future of what local democracy looks like in our community.
Gavin James, Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council co-leader, responding as LibDem leader
Gavin James (Image: Contributed) Lib Dems have long supported the idea of Government devolving powers from Westminster to communities so residents can have greater influence over how the taxes they pay are spent.
We take the same view of proposed changes to the structure of local Councils – We will only support changes to way local Government operates where it benefits the residents of Basingstoke and Deane.
The most used influence our residents have is the ability to vote for their local Councillor. We would oppose cancelling the County Council elections due in May. For the government to suggest cancelling democracy to stop it getting in the way of their policies is a dangerous step.
Abdel Ibrahim, Labour group leader in Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council:
Abdel Ibrahim (Image: Supplied) The English Devolution White Paper, published last month by the Labour government, represents a turning point for communities, allowing people to take back control over the issues that matter most to them.
Years of missed opportunities under the Conservative government’s top-down micromanagement approach to local government have left regions like Hampshire trapped in a cycle of financial struggle and lagging services. In Basingstoke, we’ve seen how the current local government model is no longer working well for our residents. Not long ago, we saw Hampshire County Council make cuts to 13 different services, including essential services like support for homelessness.
Devolution offers our local communities a chance to break free from this. It means more efficient and accountable local government, simplified processes, less bureaucracy, and strategic authorities able to allocate funding more flexibly across policy areas and services. All of this will drive value for money and better services for our residents.
In simple terms, devolution will give local strategic authorities — overseen by an elected mayor for Hampshire and the Solent, depending on which option we choose — on which option we go for – more decision-making and financial powers locally. This is an exciting opportunity to unlock the potential of our town.
The proposed reforms will facilitate a much-needed integrated transport system in places like Basingstoke, aligning public services, including job centres, police, fire and rescue, care, and health services.
If we want to see Basingstoke thrive, all councillors must set politics aside and support the government’s plan for devolution and reorganisation. This is a real opportunity to transform our town and improve the quality of life for our residents.
Simon Minas-Bound, Conservative group leader in Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council:
Simon Minas-Bound (Image: Supplied) As group leader at Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, my focus is clear: I will fight to ensure that any future reorganisation of local government delivers the best possible result for our residents. Basingstoke and Deane has the most to lose from decisions that fail to consider our unique position as a borough.
We have the lowest council tax in Hampshire, a thriving local economy that creates and protects well-paid jobs, a strong track record of delivering for our community and a council with no debt. It is crucial that these strengths are not undermined by a one-size-fits-all approach to local government.
Proposals such as a single, county-wide unitary authority would risk erasing the distinct needs and priorities of our borough. Even more concerning is the potential for Basingstoke and Deane to bear the brunt of development pressures, with housing for the rest of Hampshire being offloaded here. This is not fair, and it is not in the best interests of our residents.
I will continue to fight for a structure that works for Basingstoke and Deane – one that recognises our functional economic geography, protects our local identity, and ensures decisions are made close to the people they affect. Residents can trust that I will stand firm in defending our borough’s future and work with all those who agree this is worth fighting for.”
Stacy Hart, Women’s Equality Party councillor:
One reason I first stood to become a Women’s Equality Party councillor and am now forming a new Basingstoke-based political party is that mainstream party politics too often takes precedence over representing voters, and it’s independent and collaborative councillors who properly and consistently engage with their residents that deliver the best for local people.
Having larger councils at a distant remove from residents risks further disengagement at a time when many people are already disillusioned by politics, and feel unheard and unseen. We will be looking closely at the proposal details to see what is possible to ensure that a new structure will prioritise truly understanding and delivering the needs of local people.
Green Party’s Cllr Michael Howard-Sorrell chose not to comment as there are national Green responses published online. LibDem’s Cllr Gavin James has also been contacted for a comment.