Havant Borough Council acknowledges the decision announced today by the Rt Hon Steve Reed OBE MP - the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities & Local Government - regarding the future of local government in Hampshire.
It was announced this morning that this Council’s preferred choice (also known as Option 1A) is the agreed way forward for Hampshire. As a result of the decision, a new single South-East Hampshire unitary authority will in the future replace Fareham Borough Council, Gosport Borough Council, Havant Borough Council and Portsmouth City Council.
Further to Boundary Changes planned, this will also cover Newlands, Clanfield, Horndean and Rowlands Castle.
Following the laying down of the Structural Change Order in Parliament to provide legal basis for the new unitary council, the current intention is to hold elections for a shadow authority (a temporary council that aids the transition to the final unitary authority) in May 2027. The new unitary would then be vested (start) on 1 April 2028.
Matt Goodwin – Chief Executive of Havant Borough Council – said “Government have confirmed their position regarding the future of local government in Hampshire.
This is a major change for our area: the biggest shake up of local government in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight for over 50 years. We know we now must work together to make the most of this opportunity to shape more responsive services, boost our local economy and give our residents a say in decisions that affect their daily lives.
As a council, we will do our utmost to work with our partner organisations in this endeavour and deliver a seamless changeover for the public we serve. We will also ensure the needs of our residents, communities, businesses, and staff remain firmly on the table as the transition to the new authority proceeds.
In the meantime, it will be business as usual for Havant Borough Council until the new authority takes over.”
For more information on Local Government Reorganisation, visit www.havant.gov.uk/devolution-and-local-government-reorganisation-lgr.