A new health watchdog is a step closer for Hampshire.

The Health and Adult Social Care Select (Overview and Scrutiny) Committee will be formed by the merger of two similar county council committees as an attempt to increase efficiency.

Its role would be to monitor provision of healthcare services including dementia care and childcare and work closely with providers to ensure the best possible service.

The previous committees are the Health Overview and Scrutiny (HOSC) and the Safe and Healthy People committee.

Cabinet members approved the merger but it must be ratified at full council.

Speaking at the meeting on Monday, Cllr Stephen Reid said: “We are merging two committees into one and that in itself is an economy and will provide greater efficiency. It means our officers will have one less committee to service.”