Hayling Island and Emsworth to get their own parish councils to improve local representation
Two new parish councils to be created within the borough
Emsworth and Hayling Island are set to get their own parish councils in a bid to ensure both areas have better local representation.
Havant Borough Council has approved plans to establish civil parishes and associated parish councils for the two areas following Community Governance Reviews (CGRs) conducted in both areas by Havant Borough Council this year.
It was legally obliged to conduct the CGRs as it received two valid petitions from residents to review the existing community governance arrangements in Emsworth and Hayling Island. An attempt to create the same for Waterlooville failed to meet the criteria.
Both stages of the CGRs involved public consultations, and the findings from these consultations were both presented to members for them to consider before voting on whether to proceed with the creation of parish councils in Emsworth and/or Hayling Island, or to cease the CGR process and maintain the current council structure.
At the full council meeting on Wednesday, 22 July, members voted to create Emsworth Parish Council that will comprise a single ward and will have 15 parish councillors. They also voted to create Hayling Island Parish Council, comprising a single ward and represented by 16 councillors.
Councillors also agreed to the establishment of a precept, payable for the Council Tax year 2027-28, to support the general parish administration and running of services. Havant Borough Council officers will now begin work to prepare and finalise the required Reorganisation Order to implement the changes and establish the parish councils.
Councillor Philippa Gray, cabinet lead for finance and resources, said: “The CGRs were carried out in both Emsworth and Hayling Island because, under the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007, enough residents in each area signed a petition requesting a review and potential change.
“Members considered all the points raised in the consultation process alongside wider evidence and information, so that they could reach a decision based on their own informed view, and vote for what they believe is in the best interests of the community.
“Now we must start work to establish both Emsworth and Hayling Island Parish Councils and ensure they are viable, sustainable and will provide value for money for residents, given they will be funding the parish councils through a precept on their council tax.
“We will continue to engage and inform residents as the plans develop so that they are ready to elect their new parish councillors in May 2027.”
The news comes amid a backdrop of a government-ordered shake-up of local councils which will see the existing county, district/borough and city councils abolished and replaced with new larger councils.
Under this Local Government Reorganisation Havant Borough Council will be disbanded and merged with neighbouring Portsmouth, Fareham and Gosport. It is with this new council that the two new parish councils will work alongside.