Hampshire County Council makes historic vote in favour of joining government’s ‘fast track’ devolution

PLANS for fast-track devolution in Hampshire have moved a step closer after the county council opted into the scheme and voted to postpone May’s elections.

The authority held an extraordinary meeting today (Thursday) to discuss the government’s plans to give decision making powers back to local leaders, which were unveiled in December.

The vote was hailed as “historic” by council chairman, Cllr Keith Mans, who also described it as "the most important county council meeting in decades, if not centuries".

As reported in the A&T, the government’s landmark English Devolution White Paper confirmed proposals to abolish the two-tier local government system – which would mean New Forest District Council would be axed – with every region of England covered by new “strategic authorities”, similar to those which currently have elected regional mayors.

After a lengthy discussion, county councillors voted in favour of fast-track devolution by 65 votes to one. The postponement of elections for one year was also passed, with 49 votes to 19.

Speaking at the meeting, HCC leader, Cllr Nick Adams-King said: “The decision we are about to make is profound, it is probably the most significant decision we will make as a council since the 1990s.

“If we decide to engage with this programme it will fundamentally change the way local government is delivered in Hampshire. It will essentially mean this body will at some point in the next few years cease to exist and similarly, it is likely the district and boroughs that form the second tier beneath us will be in a similar position.

“What it does do is offer us enormous opportunity. This is just the beginning of a journey; we are not making the decision today on what the outcome looks like, but it puts us on the road to an eventual decision.”

He added there were “many unknowns” in the process, but added “there is not a ‘do nothing’ option”.

“My personal view is that we should be engaging with the procedure proactively to make sure we attune it to the needs of residents of Hampshire and businesses.”

The county council, along with the Isle of Wight Council, Portsmouth City Council and Southampton City Council, submitted a joint Expression of Interest (EOI) to the government last August to form a single combined authority for the collective area of the four upper tier authorities.

Under devolution, a mayor would oversee the new, larger strategic region made up of the four councils, alongside current leaders of those councils, said Cllr Adams-King, as well as “potentially others”, such as the existing leaders of second tier councils, prior to further reorganisation of local government reorganisation.

An amended proposal was put forward by Cllr Keith House, Liberal Democrat for Hamble, which said while the council should follow the priority programme it should not be constrained by the white paper’s 500,000 population threshold. He also urged for elections to be postponed for a shorter period, both of which were not carried.

Cllr Fran Carpenter, who represents New Milton north, Milford and Hordle, said she supported devolution and the postponement of elections but raised concerns over the reorganisation of local government that would follow.

She said: “I’ve always maintained the two tier structure across Hampshire is confusing for residents, frustrating at times for councillors and unnecessarily costly to everyone.

“The reorganisation of Hampshire into a unitary supported by good strong parishes and towns is a good thing, but it is not necessary going forward to reorganise boundaries of the existing four upper tier councils which will form the new combined authority.

“Hampshire in my opinion should remain as one area and new unitary areas should not be reorganised based on arbitrary numbers of residents plucked out of the air by Labour. To me, if will cause unnecessary disruption.”

Cllr Malcolm Wade, who represents Hythe and Dibden said: “I can’t help but feel it is like turkeys voting for Christmas. Most members in this room don’t want to see the end of the county council - the staff and the public are not really mad on this either.

“Our challenge is to get the best for Hampshire, so we go in early, with a measure of influence – but we are going to vote on a ballpark future, with no detail, and what will it look like at the end?

“A figure of 500,000 for a unitary authority does not relate to the local area or circumstances and does not deliver for the community. It does not take into account the communities, the natural environments, the differences and nuances of our district and boroughs.”

While he did not agree with a year’s postponement of elections, he admitted there would need to be a delay, but added: “Let the people have their say at the ballot box in 2025, it is their democratic right.”

He also raised concerns that there had been no time to consider the views of residents or authorities such as the national park and town and parish councils.