Legal action "within three weeks" over local government shake-up in Hampshire

The move follows the Labour government’s decision to back a reorganisation proposal that would split the New Forest, along with parts of Test Valley and the parishes of East Hampshire which are south of Butser Hill. This will see Horndean, Clanfield and Rowlands Castle in the same council as neighbouring Waterlooville and Havant to which it has greater geographical link. The Newlands area of Waterlooville will also be split from Winchester and put into the same council as the rest of the town.

After Hampshire County Council’s annual general meeting on May 21, where Cllr Nick Adams-King was re-elected leader, he confirmed his administration would proceed with plans for a judicial review of the government’s local government reorganisation (LGR) proposals.

He said the government’s preferred option failed to meet its own criteria for creating new councils, particularly around sustainability.

Cllr Adams-King said the proposals would have a significant financial impact on the New Forest, Test Valley and East Hampshire, leaving the proposed Mid-Hampshire authority in a vulnerable position. He argued the changes would reduce business rate income while increasing costs for the new authority, due to its geography and population mix.

Liberal Democrat councillors have raised concerns about the proposed judicial review, including questions over legal costs and the outcome the authority is seeking from any challenge.

They also warned that judicial review cases typically focus on process rather than overturning government decisions.

Addressing suggestions that there were no grounds for legal action, Cllr Adams-King said there was “absolutely a case” for judicial review.

“One of the arguments from the Liberal Democrats is that there isn’t a case to answer. There is absolutely a case.

“People do not want to be split from the areas in which they live. That is as true in Test Valley and East Hampshire as it is in the New Forest.

“It is also vital that we look ahead to future generations and make sure whatever we create is sustainable and is going to work. This current proposal does not work because it leaves the Mid-Hampshire council far too vulnerable.”

He described the government’s decision as “entirely political”, saying it strengthened cities “at the expense of the countryside”.

“Eastleigh, with its debt, and Southampton, with its budget pressures, would receive areas that provide significant income.

“The same applies to Portsmouth in terms of housing pressures and the addition of the southern parishes of East Hampshire, where there are housing sites.”

Cllr Adams-King said he hoped a future change in national leadership could lead to a rethink of the proposals, allowing councils to “start again” with a revised approach to local government reorganisation.