Special meeting to discuss devolution plans in Southampton
The city council's being asked to consider what its future as an 'expanded authority' may look like
A special meeting will take place next month to consider Southampton City Council’s “interim plan” for local government reorganisation.
Labour leader Cllr Lorna Fielker said this represented the start of a discussion for Southampton on what the future looked like as an “expanded authority”.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has tasked local authorities with providing initial proposals on council mergers as part of a nationwide restructure.
Under the plans, the current mix of two-tier structures and unitary authorities will be replaced by larger councils delivering all services for the area they cover.
Providing an update at full council on Wednesday, February 26, Cllr Fielker said: “Government has specified that an interim plan needs to be submitted by March 21, with finalised plans by September, and the purpose of this is for government officials to provide feedback on the plan and help support the development of final proposals.
“This is a really challenging timetable for us.
“It does not provide time for detailed discussions, not just with members but with the wider population, prior to meeting that March deadline.”
Councils across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight have paid for consultants at firm KPMG to help with exploring merger options.
Cllr Fielker said a lot of work was already taking place at a political and officer level between councils in an effort to reach a consensus.
The city council leader said a special cabinet meeting will take place on March 18 to discuss the interim plan before a submission is made to government.
Officer reports will be published ahead of this meeting on March 10.
“I think it is really important for members to understand that the interim proposals are just that, interim,” Cllr Fielker added.
“They are the start of a discussion on what the future of Southampton looks like as an expanded authority, not the end.
“We need to ensure that whatever is finally proposed is a sustainable council based on data and has regard for the community based within it.”
Cllr Fielker said she updated the other political group leaders on the council earlier this week on the work that was taking place.
Speaking during the budget debate at the same full council meeting, Conservative group leader Cllr Peter Baillie:
"The local government reform, of which there is national mandate, is not wanted.
"It is a political tool just to try and smash the shires off the face of this earth and is bound to affect the finances."
He said the city council potentially faced being twinned with “debt-ridden” Liberal Democrat-run Eastleigh Borough Council.