PUBLIC consultations which aimed to shape the future of local government have been branded as a “waste of time” by councillors.

The surveys put out by Hampshire County Council could influence one of the biggest local government shakeups in Hampshire’s history.

However, when the county’s 1.3million residents were asked how they wanted their vital services such as roads, schools and social care to be delivered, fewer than 0.3 per cent responded.

The Serving Hampshire Consultation, which ran for over two months, cost the county council around £150,000.

This poor turn-out and representation has been met with frustration from leader of the Basingstoke Liberal Democrat Group, Cllr Gavin James.

He said: “The consultation on local government has been a lost opportunity, and a waste of time.

“Do we really want the future planning of our borough decided by councillors from the New Forest? Should our bus service be designed by someone from Fareham?

“The county council approach remains top down. We need to turn decision making on its head.”

Leader of the Basingstoke Labour party, Cllr Paul Harvey – who is fighting for the borough to stand as a unitary authority – believes the money used for the consultations could have been used on services the county council has decided to cut.

Cllr Harvey said: “This is just another example of the county council not doing what is best for the people of our borough.

“They have yet again jumped the gun rather than to actually listen, and spent people’s tax money on something they aren’t interested in.”

He added: “What people want is a good service for the taxes they pay, at the moment they aren’t getting it.”

Leader of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, Cllr Clive Sanders believes the lack of feedback from residents is down to lack of understanding.

He said:“I think what these figures show is that most people do not know enough about local government or they don’t want to know.”