A WAR of words has erupted between two council leaders over the future of local government in Test Valley.

Hampshire County Council leader Roy Perry and his Test Valley Borough Council counterpart, Ian Carr, have clashed this week over plans to completely reshape the way the area is governed.

The feud began after Cllr Carr voiced his “deep concerns” about HCC’s decision to launch a consultation asking residents what changes they would like to see for local government across the county.

The Conservative politician slammed the options on the public consultation as “narrow” and “selfserving”, and described the document as “premature”.

He also warned residents could end up “paying more for less” in regard to services.

In a statement, Cllr Carr said: “At a time when the government is advising councils to work together, I am particularly disappointed that HCC have refused to undertake a joint consultation with all the other district and borough councils in Hampshire.

“I do not believe that it will be in the interests of Test Valley residents to spend their time completing this one sided consultation – or, if they do, I would suggest that they tick the box for creating NO new unitary authorities on the grounds that they simply don’t have the evidence to make an informed decision at this point in time.

“It is vital that we do not rush into a quick ill-informed assessment of something that will last for years and have a significant impact on the quality of our residents’ lives.”

Cllr Carr’s comments come following the launch of HCC’s public consultation into possible changes to the structure of local government in Hampshire.

The move is itself a reaction to a proposal put forward by Southampton, Portsmouth and Isle of Wight councils to create a combined authority for the Solent area.

Meanwhile Cllr Carr and fellow leaders of authorities such as Basingstoke and the New Forest believe their “Heart of Hampshire” proposal will best serve residents in their boroughs.

The concept would result in authorities such as Test Valley leaving HCC to form their own joint authority and creating ‘trusts’ which would take over responsibility of current county-led services.

However HCC leader Perry has hit back at Cllr Carr’s recent jibes in a statement released to the Advertiser.

Cllr Perry said: “I am disappointed at his reaction to the County Council’s decision to consult with the residents of the county before potentially, far-reaching decisions about local government in our county are taken.

“As leader of the county council, my simple commitment is to listen first.

“There is a developed bid by the Solent cities – under the guise of devolution – to establish new governance arrangements for their area which they aim to subsequently embrace parts of the county area.

“This would have the effect of splitting the county council, and potentially the county of Hampshire, and putting crucial services like highways and then child care and adult care at risk.

“I don’t think that would be good for the area as a whole and I believe many people agree with me.”

In his statement Cllr Perry also spoke about his preferred option: turning Hampshire into a unitary authority, similar to the current system in Wiltshire.

He claims this will reduce council tax and save over £40 million per year.

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