CRACKS are appearing in the controversial Hampshire Senate after two councils pulled out, describing it as “undemocratic” and “irrelevant”.

The Daily Echo can reveal today that Eastleigh Borough Council and Fareham Borough Council have exited the organisation run by county council leader Ken Thornber.

Winchester City Council is also considering leaving and will make a decision in the new year.

The council’s leaving claim that changes made by the coalition Government mean the Senate is unnecessary or is no longer relevant.

Some members fear the treble body blow could see other authorities follow suit and render the body unable to continue.

However, Councillor Thornber denied the withdrawals would cause the Senate to collapse and claimed new authorities were lined up to take their place.

Leader of the Liberal Democrat controlled Eastleigh council Keith House said: “We see this as a totally unnecessary body now that its reason for existence – the Local Area Agreement and reward grant – has all been swept way by the coalition.

“What’s more we have never been happy with the Senate having an imposed name, imposed chair, and with the county leader having a veto on all decisions. That’s not a democracy.”

He added Eastleigh would focus on its role in Partnership of Urban South Hampshire and working with the Local Government Associat-ion for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

Daily Echo: Click below to see a video of today's headlines in sixty seconds

Fareham council’s Tory boss Sean Woodward said: “We have withdrawn from Hampshire Senate after a review of all of our partnerships,” adding: “I have always expressed concerns about duplication.”

Liberal Democrat Kelsie Learney, leader of Winchester City Council, said: “We are considering our position in light of Eastleigh and Fareham’s decisions as we feel it may be better to work through Hampshire and Isle of Wight Local Government Association,” adding: “We have to look at the effectiveness of a partnership which does not include all the cities of the county.”

The Senate’s stated aims included reducing costs by sharing public service work load, and securing extra grants. But the group was snubbed by Portsmouth City Council and Southampton only agreed to have a minor role with no vote.

Cllr Thornber said: “The two councils who have left the Senate were never wholly committed to it, and their contribution was minimal in contrast to their district council colleagues.

“I can announce that the New Forest National Park Authority will be joining the Senate and I hope the South Downs National Park Authority will join when they assume substantive form.”

Yet to set a budget for the next year, the Senate was set up with a £50,000 Government grant via the Regional Improvement Partnership Board. It comprises the county leader, other councils’ heads and chairmen of health, police, fire authorities, other local bodies and armed forces representatives.