COUNCILS have submitted a proposal to government for a larger Hampshire combined authority.

As previously reported by The Gazette, councils across Hampshire are in discussions to create a large combined authority to receive more powers and millions of pounds from central government.

If it was to go ahead, it would see the creation of a “southern powerhouse”, which would make decisions on issues such as health, the environment and transport.

The plan would mean that Hampshire’s existing councils would still carry out their function but a new layer of government, made up of a joint committee of council leaders, would hold the control of millions of pounds of funding each year, currently in the hands of government ministers.

In addition, borough and district councils could bid to carry out functions which are currently held by Hampshire County Council such as transport.

As part of Hampshire’s proposal, councils have said they are willing to forego government grants, which are dropping year on year, in exchange for the 100 per cent retention of the areas business rates.

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council currently collects £75m a year which makes it the highest collecting borough council in Hampshire.

In addition, councils have proposed to accelerate housing delivery of 76,000 homes across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight already agreed in Local Plans to have them completed by 2024 – two years ahead of schedule.

Discussing the proposal, deputy leader of the borough’s Labour party, Cllr Mike Westbrook, said that he hoped some services could be devolved locally if the proposal goes ahead but expressed concern at the speed the plan is currently taking.

He added: “This whole process is moving so fast. We seem to be in a race that local authorities up and down the country are still uncertain they want to be in.

“This proposal is so much in its infancy in regard to what it can offer Basingstoke and Deane, that it appears little more than some ideas and a wish list at present, so taking a suck it and see approach may be the only way forward.”

Council leader Cllr Clive Sanders said he expected the government to “push back” and said the proposal as it stands “lacks some ambition, leadership and inspiration within it” but said that is “largely because of the speed it has been put together”.

He added: “It is not something which is being driven on a party political basis, it has got very good cross-party support.”