A HAMPSHIRE council leader has welcomed another major review of how the county's councils work ahead of any decisions on devolution.

As previously reported, the Government is continuing negotiations with three councils in the Solent about handing down powers over housing, transport and skills.

Consultation over those proposals is now taking place, while the county council is asking for the public's views on rival proposals on a variety of different changes, which could even see one super council created to cover the whole county and replace the district authorities.

And consultants PwC have also begun another review of options after being commissioned by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, in partnership with Hart, New Forest, Rushmoor, Test Valley and Winchester councils.

The review will take into account both the Solent and county council proposals, and has been welcomed by Winchester City Council leader Stephen Godfrey.

He said: “PwC, who have worked extensively with councils on analysing options for local government reform, began an evidence-based, independent assessment of all options in June 2016.

“This is aimed at expanding on the more limited focus of work already done by Hampshire County Council, which concentrated on reducing costs rather than improving services for residents.

“Once that work is finished, it should provide a sound basis for consulting the people of Hampshire about what form of local government they want to see in the future.”

He added that the current consultation launched by Hampshire County Council doesn’t provide enough information about the choices available.

Cllr Godfrey pointed out a proposal for a county-wide unitary may be presented as ‘more efficient’ but could have problems.

These include fewer local representatives involved in decision-making, higher council tax and financial resources being shifted away from Winchester.