Portsmouth leader says the new
authority name would be 'unacceptable' without city included
- Local leaders
have debated what the name of the new council covering
Portsmouth, Gosport, Fareham and Havant should be.
Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) seeks to
replace the two-tier system, where county and district
council share services, with larger unitary authorities that
provide services to populations of around 500,000.
As a result of LGR, Portsmouth has
been grouped into the South East Hampshire authority, along
with Gosport, Fareham and Havant as well as the villages
south of Buster Hill currently within East Hampshire, and
the Newlands area of Waterlooville currently within
Winchester council.
Councillor Steve Pitt, leader of
Portsmouth City Council, argued that Portsmouth’s name will
need to be included in the new authority to help stamp its
identity. It
follows recent calls made by Cllr Sarah Bogle, the leader of
Southampton City Council, who wishes for the city to be
reflected in the new South West Hampshire authority.
Cllr Pitt said it’s “important”
that Portsmouth and Southampton “as the major drivers of
economic growth in the region are named in the local
authorities.
The government was very clear to us that the importance of
the cities is recognised, if you look at the joint
committees being set up Portsmouth has eight votes out of 16
and a casting vote.
They want the cities to be the driver of growth
therefore not to have the city’s names in it is
unacceptable.
If this mess if forced through then of course we will work
collaboratively with the three boroughs who we’re very close
to but the identity of the city must be protected.”
In response, Cllr Simon Martin,
leader of Fareham Borough Council, said: “The proposed new
council must be clearly understood as a brand-new authority
serving the whole of south-east Hampshire, not an extension
or rebranding of any one existing council.
South-East Hampshire is already a clearly defined and
widely recognised area, with a projected combined population
for April 2028 of around 582,137 people across Fareham,
Gosport, Havant and Portsmouth. A little over a third live
in Portsmouth.
Our new area will have many distinct communities from
Warsash to Clanfield, and a number of economic drivers. It
needs to feel like home to all of its residents as we move
away from two tier local government.
Taking all of this into account, I firmly believe
that the name must reflect the wider geography we all share.
“South-East Hampshire” provides a neutral and inclusive
identity for a new authority. By contrast, incorporating the
name of a single existing council suggests an expanded
legacy or takeover, rather than a genuinely new organisation
built on equal partnership.
We are committed to working constructively with our
neighbouring councils and recognise the important role our
cities play in the regional economy. However, our new
authority must represent all communities fairly, and its
identity should reflect that balance from the outset.
Our focus in Fareham remains on creating a new
council that delivers effectively for residents and
businesses across south-east Hampshire, with a structure and
identity that reflects the whole area it serves.”
Cllr Zoe Huggins BEM, leader of
Gosport Borough Council, said: “The name of a new council is
one of many matters we will need to agree collectively. All
of our areas have their own distinct identity, heritage, and
needs, and my priority is ensuring Gosport, its residents,
and its communities are appropriately represented within any
new organisation.
It is equally important that Gosport’s economy is
able to prosper within this framework, with clear
recognition of its maritime strengths and its wider
creative, cultural, and heritage assets, which are central
to its future growth and identity.”
Cllr Gillian Harris MBE, leader of
Havant Borough Council, said: “The council’s new name is
still being discussed, and a decision will be made
collectively to ensure that all residents and areas are
represented.”
The News 17th June
