Plans for a root and branch overhaul of local government across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight will be considered at County Hall this week.
Full council is due to debate and vote on a landmark vision for local government reorganisation (LGR) put forward by 12 councils across the region: ‘Close enough to be local, big enough to stay strong’.
A model of five unitary authorities
The 206-page document proposes a model of five unitary authorities: four new councils on the mainland in place of 14 existing ones, and the Isle of Wight retaining its current position.
It comes after the government unveiled sweeping plans to reorganise local government across England in December last year.
Not to be confused with devolution
The reforms include two distinct but related policy programmes: shifting powers and funding from Whitehall to England’s regions by creating Strategic Authorities with elected mayors (Solent devolution) and ending the two-tier system of county and district councils with new unitary authorities covering populations of at least 500,000.
In February, then Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution Jim McMahon, invited LGR proposals from Hampshire and Solent councils.
The proposal set to be considered by full council on Wednesday aims to simplify local structures, improve coordination of services and deliver estimated annual savings of at least £63.9 million.
Island retaining its own unitary authority
Section five of the document gives its case for the Island keeping its unitary authority,
“With a track record of financial sustainability and effective service delivery, the Isle of Wight Council has operated successfully as a unitary council since 1995.
“The Island’s unique geography, accessible only by ferry, creates distinct logistical and service delivery challenges that are best addressed through a locally focused model.
“Being an independent authority has enabled tailored responses to challenges, demographic pressures and environmental priorities while protecting the Island’s local identity.
“Maintaining the Isle of Wight as an independent or unitary authority will ensure it continues to respond to local needs while standing alongside new the mainland unitary councils through an enhanced partnership.”
The options
Councillors will decide whether to approve the proposal and then vote on which one of its three detailed options they support.
A council report recommends councillors delegate authority to the Isle of Wight Council’s chief executive ‘in liaison with’ its leader to ‘make any final amendments’ to the LGR proposal prior to its submission to government.
Watch live
Full council will meet at County Hall at 6pm on Wednesday evening. Watch live by clicking on the link in the agenda just before the meeting.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
