Hampshire councils paying for external consultants ahead of Government-backed merger
Councils across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight have paid for external consultants to help explore options for mergers ahead of a Government deadline, writes Local Democracy Reporter Jason Lewis.
Local authorities across the country have been asked to submit initial proposals for local government reorganisation (LGR) by Friday, March 21.
The Government’s plans are for the current two-tier system to be replaced with larger unitary authorities, which would deliver all council services but lead to many councils – such as Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council – being abolished.
Councils are expected to debate and confirm their own position in the coming weeks before sending responses to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
Southampton City Council leader Lorna Fielker confirmed KPMG had been commissioned to carry out a piece of work by the county, city, district and borough councils that cover Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
Councillor Fielker said there was “trust” and “distrust” around LGR and the ministry’s aim for shared solutions could only be reached if authorities worked together.
“It is really important that we are able to base decisions on really good evidence that shows a range of different options and models for this area, to show councils that are sustainable, which is why across the piste, every local authority is chipping in to have KPMG do this piece of work for us,” she said.
“That will help us look at the data in a way that doesn’t say, well, that’s what the county says, that’s their piece of work, well that’s what that district says, that’s their piece of work.”
The cost of commissioning KPMG has not been disclosed.
Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council leader Paul Harvey also stated leaders and chief executives across the region had been working together.
“As part of this work with the councils across Hampshire, we have commissioned detailed specialist work by KPMG to develop a well-reasoned and evidence-based outline proposal, considering the best solutions for the whole area,” Mr Harvey said.
East Hampshire, Eastleigh, Gosport, Hampshire, Havant, Isle of Wight, New Forest, Portsmouth, Rushmoor, Test Valley and Winchester councils all confirmed that they had contributed to an “initial” piece of work being carried out with KPMG.
