PROPOSALS for a new "super-council" covering most of Hampshire and spelling the end for many existing councils have been announced.

County council leader Roy Perry has today revealed the recommendations of a report commissioned by the council into the future of local government in Hampshire.

And in their report, Deloitte have suggested abolishing all district and borough councils and having one single unitary authority, although it would not affect Southampton.

It would be the biggest change to local government in Hampshire for a generation and spell the end of the county council in its current form and authorities such as Eastleigh, Fareham and Test Valley.

The announcement came as Cllr Perry again criticised the decision to press ahead with a "Solent City" devolution deal between councils in south Hampshire and the Government, as opposed to the whole of Hampshire.

Speaking to the full county council, Cllr Perry said the new single council could cut council tax for up to 90 per cent of residents and deliver at least £40m of savings every year.

It would also mean residents would have all of their services, such as bin collections, council tax collection and street cleaning, done by one council as opposed to them being split between two.

Full details of whether the plans will move forward and how will be established after a meeting of the county council's cabinet.

Cllr Perry said a full public consultation must take place before any change to how Hampshire is governed.

He said: “One of the options under consideration is the creation of a new unitary ‘Hampshire Council’ which would replace both the County Council and Hampshire’s 11 district councils – delivering lower council tax, more efficient services and clearer democratic accountability to Hampshire residents.

“I have worked hard to make the two-tier structure work but the Districts and Cities have now come up with their separate proposals that will begin to divide the county immediately.

"We are convinced that this would lead ultimately to unitary councils based on a perverse geography which will do little to enhance the economy of the area. Interestingly, the independent analysis shows that two such unitaries based on the Solent and Heart of Hampshire proposals would be the most disruptive and least efficient model out of all of the options open to Hampshire.

"It is simply indefensible that we should be taken down that path with so little information or attempt to establish if there is public consent.

“Our priority has been, and always will be, serving the best interests of all Hampshire residents. We have thought long and hard about the devolution negotiations with Government – and the two current combined authority proposals covering the Hampshire and Isle of Wight area: Solent and Heart of Hampshire. Unfortunately, these proposals devolve very few powers down from central government but would transfer, and therefore split, some of the county’s key services such as highways and transport. They don’t bring greater clarity or efficiencies. They add a new layer of local government and additional costs and will inevitably disrupt high quality countywide services. The County Council has painstakingly built over many years a range of services, especially in the protection of vulnerable adults and children that are the envy of the country. I cannot accept that these should be broken up in this way, for these reasons. I would far rather lose the County Council as we know it, and establish a new ‘Hampshire Council’ than threaten those services.

 “As such, we reluctantly concluded that the County Council had been left with no choice but to explore other options for the future of local government in Hampshire, including reorganisation.  The concept of  a new unitary ‘Hampshire Council’ has been identified as a way that provides residents with the greatest level of continuity in services, the highest savings and the lowest cost of implementation. The anticipated savings far outweigh what would have been gained from the Government in a devolution deal. We would very much like to study other examples of unitary councils. This option would also give much more influence and power to local Town and Parish Councils, thereby strengthening local democracy. This proposal is not about protecting historical arrangements, or matters of individual sovereignty, but about securing a sustainable future for Hampshire residents with high quality and efficient services and a buoyant economy.

“However such a fundamental decision about the future of Hampshire can only happen if residents want it, and are given a proper opportunity to voice their views. This is why the County Council will shortly be going out to a full public consultation on this issue. 

“We will also be liaising with our MPs and other key stakeholders – and all our Town and Parish Councils to enter a debate about how we can create a radical shift in real localism. If Southampton and Portsmouth want to proceed with their Solent City idea, then that is up to them. The financial evidence we have indicates a county unitary could save well over £40 million per annum – every year, not just the 30 years promised in the Solent deal so it should be good news for the Chancellor of the Exchequer as well as local taxpayers.

“In conclusion, I will not be endorsing the current Solent and Heart of Hampshire proposals unless and until the people of Hampshire tell me that is what they want. And we will set before the public real alternatives which have a strong evidence base and will deliver what I think people want: more efficient local government with fewer layers of bureaucracy and consistently high quality services – at scale and locally.

"The next stage, in a proper democratic process, will be a special meeting of the Cabinet at which these proposals will be considered and taken forward in a full public debate.”