Issue - meetings

1.    That the submission of the joint interimplan for Local Government re-organisation in Hampshire and the Solent dated 21 March 2025 as requested by the Government be approved (Appendix 2 of report CAB3502).

2.    That if any minor amendments to the proposed interim plan are agreed by the 15 Councils, the Leader of the Council in consultation with the Chief Executive has authority to approve the updated report on behalf of Winchester City Council. 

3.    That authority be delegated to the Leader and Chief Executive to negotiate the final business case for local government reorganisation, prior to approval by Council and submission to Government later in 2025.

Councillor Tod advised that the report had been debated at Council the previous evening and he provided a summary of the comments made for Cabinet’s consideration as outlined below.

a)    Dialogue and collaboration with neighbouring authorities should be maintained and the council should remain actively engaged in the ongoing process.?Collective progress should be ensured to learn from all parties, including dissenting views.?Ongoing learning and participation must be prioritised.? 

b)    Clarity on the engagement plan - engagement with residents was essential as specific options emerged, ensuring clear choices and input opportunities. Residents should remain central to engagement planning.? 

c)    The importance of equality and diversity were highlighted regarding local representation. Councils should be accessible to all, considering factors beyond age and gender, such as caring responsibilities and work.  This should also be reflected in resident engagement, which should ensure all voices are heard.? 

d)    A robust approach regarding neighbouring authority discussions on localism, local identity, and empowering local communities was emphasised, requiring action and demonstrable work. Learning from best practices elsewhere.? 

e)    Core objectives included local resident interests and broader Hampshire and Solent commonality. Effective delivery across all authorities was crucial, requiring a system designed for regional functionality, irrespective of hosting authority or structure. The system’s effectiveness for all residents, regardless of location, was paramount.? 

f)     Parishes and local communities (particular in the southern parishes) require consultation and support, ensuring their voices were heard as well as assistance with identifying potential community assets.  The Winchester town would be subject to a community governance review to establish a town council, and this review must consider the town area’s relationship with neighbouring authorities.? 

g)    Ward Councillor roles were recognised and appreciated, especially for their understanding of local communities and for their engagement with residents on the local government reorganisation process.  Their feedback was highly valued.? 

h)    A strategic regional approach to the climate and nature emergencies was essential and appropriate representation within the interim combined authority was a means to facilitate this.? 

i)      Staff support was a priority during the transition of local government reorganisation.? 

j)      Overall, despite concerns regarding process and impact on communities, submitting the interim plan was considered the right course. Prioritising resident needs, effective service delivery, and achieving a strong council representing local communities were paramount within a functional regional system.?

At the invitation of the Leader, Councillor Horrill addressed Cabinet as summarised briefly below.

Councillor Horrill welcomed the debate at council the previous evening and congratulated the Leader for his work in representing the council during the reorganisation negotiations with other authorities. She reiterated comments made the previous evening, including that the conservative group supported the proposals for devolution the Hampshire and Solent area.  In relation to local government reorganisation (LGR), she emphasised the importance of local authorities driving the reorganisation themselves (rather than government) and highlighted their better understanding of residents who must be central to the proposals.  She underlined the need for a sustainable solution, ensuring financial stability in the long term, acknowledging the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4

RECOMMENDATIONS:

Full Council is asked to:

1.    Consider the Cabinet report of 20 March 2025 attached and make any comments for Cabinet to consider

2.    Note that Cabinet is asked to approve the submission to the Government of the Interim Plan for local government reorganisation in Hampshire and Solent at their meeting on 20 March 2025

The Leader introduced the report and summarised the detailed work undertaken since 5 February 2025 when the Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution (Jim McMahon MP) formally invited collaboration with other regional council leaders to develop a proposal for local government reorganisation. 

The Leader then referred to the interim plan (appended to report CAB3502 at Appendix 2) which he explained was to be firstly considered by Cabinet on 20 March 2025 prior to its submission, having firstly considered any comments of full Council.

The Leader highlighted agreed principles in the interim plan and confirmed that these reflected key matters raised by councillors during their informal briefings. The overall aim of the interim plan was for a new council which effectively served residents and the area.

Council proceeded to ask questions on the report and proposed interim plan.  In summary, the following matters were raised, which were responded to by the Leader:

a)    Would new applications for Assets of Community Value be supported and would town and parish councils be supported with requests to transfer local assets to them?

b)    A question was raised regarding how reorganisation supported the claim of improved democratic representation and better local government. With fewer councillors representing more residents, councillors would need more support from officers, and how would this support be delivered given the need to create efficiencies?

c)    Clarification was requested as to when resident engagement plans were to be published in advance of the final submission date for local government reorganisation.

d)    Further information was sought as to whether there was dialogue with government regarding progress following submission of an interim plan, and what were the criteria for potentially being dropped from the priority programme, and what the consequences of this might be.

e)    A question was asked regarding the Community Governance Review for Winchester Town Forum area, and if this was progressing given pressures on resources?

f)      Regarding the southern parishes, would there continue to be opportunities for the Leader to attend their parish council meetings to respond to the potential impact of reorganisation on these areas?

g)    Assurances were requested that the needs of communities and assets of the Winchester town area would be protected.

h)    A question was asked regarding the Denmead Parish area, and the potential for it to be part of a future adjacent southeast Hampshire unitary council.

i)      Confirmation was sought as to whether all the local authorities in the regional area were acting in a mature way, and that differences were being dealt with cooperatively.

j)      A question was asked about how the Leader expected to use information supplied by the County Council on demographics and service usage to justify decisions on unitary authority groupings, and what other evidence would be used.  A further question was then asked regarding shared interests with Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council and whether that would influence future decisions regarding boundaries.  Clarification was sought regarding factors that the Leader considered to be important in relation to a possible grouping  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4