Eastleigh’s MP reacts to Hampshire County Council’s local government reorganisation proposals

Eastleigh’s MP, Liz Jarvis, has criticised Hampshire County Council’s proposals for local government reorganisation. The recommended option is ‘B2’ which would see Eastleigh join with Southampton, New Forest, and Test Valley as the largest of three Hampshire unitary authorities. 

A joint statement has been published by twelve district and borough councils in Hampshire rejecting these plans. 

Liberal Democrat MP for Eastleigh, Liz Jarvis said: 

“The promise of devolution was to create and empower councils that closely represent the people and communities they serve. Hampshire County Council plans to divide Hampshire into three oversized councils, in our case one stretching from Hamble, to Andover, to Lymington, while containing 700,000 people! 

“I have previously written to the Secretary of State to push for a local government division that genuinely takes into account our communities and how they access and interact with services. Our towns and villages deserve real decision-making power at a local level, not an oversized, distant council that doesn’t understand our unique needs and priorities.”