RESIDENTS are being consulted on a proposal that could bring more locally focused decision making to a town centre.

A public consultation, known as a Community Governance Review, is currently being conducted by Eastleigh Borough Council.

If approved, one or more new parish or town councils could be created in Eastleigh's town centre, the last 'unparished' area in the borough.

The change would give residents a greater say in how the budget for local services, such as the maintenance of open spaces and play areas, and the management of community buildings and cemeteries, is spent.

Householders in Eastleigh town centre and surrounding neighbourhoods are now being urged to take part in an online survey on the proposal.

The Leader of Eastleigh Borough Council, Councillor Keith House, said: “With the threat of much larger ‘unitary councils’ being created, covering a far greater area than existing borough councils and over half a million people, it’s important we keep local decision-making to give residents effective and accountable local representation.

"We hope as many residents as possible in the town centre area fill in the survey and have their say on how their town should be run.”

In a ‘parished’ town centre, householders would be represented by elected councillors, responsible for more tightly drawn local areas than the much larger Borough Council wards.

Eastleigh Borough Council says elections to a new council or councils would take place in 2022.

The area covered by the CGR is bordered by Allbrook parish in the north, the M27/Test Valley/ Southampton City border to the south, the M3 to the west, and the River Itchen boundary with the Bishopstoke and West End parish areas to the east.

Residents in the area will receive a letter over the next fortnight with a link to the survey.