Local Government Reorganisation Survey "Deeply Unsatisfactory", Says Councillor

A Hampshire and Isle of Wight public consultation relating to landmark local government reorganisation (LGR) plans has been condemned as “deeply unsatisfactory”.

Independent councillor Geoff Brodie described the online survey, ‘Our Place, Our Future’, as “possibly the most non-user-friendly and complex survey I have encountered in a long time”.

In a written question tabled before yesterday evening’s policy, finance and resources committee meeting, the Pan and Barton representative said he expected most Islanders to “give up” on it.

A group of 12 local authorities across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, including Isle of Wight Council, Southampton City Council and Winchester City Council, are asking residents to share their views on three reorganisation options being considered (see pictures).

The consultation’s launch follows the unveiling of extensive devolution and LGR plans by the government in December.

These include the transfer of powers and funding from Whitehall to regions across England through the creation of Strategic Authorities with elected mayors.

The LGR component involves replacing the current two-tier system of county and district councils with unitary authorities, covering populations of at least 500,000.

Each of the proposals from the Hampshire and Isle of Wight councils involve four unitary councils surrounding ‘four key hubs’ associated with ‘services, jobs, education, leisure and transport’: Portsmouth, Southampton, Winchester and Basingstoke.

They would also continue Isle of Wight Council’s status as a unitary authority.

Cllr Brodie said:

“Can I ask now – leader or deputy – who was responsible for this survey and did this council leadership really endorse it?

"If so, do they really care what Islanders think about local government reorganisation or are they just going to plough ahead with their own political agenda?”

A prepared council response said:

“The LGR engagement work was commissioned by Eastleigh Borough Council on behalf of the Hampshire, Portsmouth, Southampton, and Isle of Wight local authorities.

“It is being funded through resources allocated to support LGR. The research agency delivering the survey is Thinks Insight.

“The leaders and chief executives of the various local authorities – both upper and lower tier – were able to provide input on the content and questions from which the agency constructed and designed the survey.

“Alongside the online version, the survey is also available in other formats, including paper copies and telephone interviews, to ensure it is accessible to as many people as possible.”

The consultation ends on July 27 and the government’s deadline for final LGR proposals from Hampshire and Isle of Wight councils is September 26.

It can be found here : https://ourplaceourfuture.commonplace.is/.