The lack of public confidence with the Labour run Southampton City Council runs deep, not only within the city boundaries, but also in adjoining districts, now they have announced their preferred option for the coming local government reorganisation.

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The preferred option includes:

Merger with Eastleigh Borough Council.

Along with the districts / villages / towns: Totton and Eling, Marchwood, Hythe & Dibden & Fawley. From Test Valley BC, the wards of Chilworth, Nursling and Rownhams are included.

 

If those changes are more than enough, let us not forget that everyone gets another vote to cast, for the new mayor. An elected mayor whose authority will include, what is known so far to be: strategic planning, transport, housing plus other services that appear not to have been finalised. They are thought to include social care / services. The procurement and direction of external investment to be made within the authority, is one other interesting element that needs clarification.  

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To date, the whole thing is to be financed through taxation. Although requests for financial assistance to assist the reorganisation will be available from central government. There are no published estimated costs for the reorganisation available at the time of writing.

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What is clear, is that this reorganisation is not popular. Those living outside Southampton have made it clear that they do not wish to come under an extended SCC who are as we all know, in financial dire straits as are Eastleigh Borough Council. Forming a new authority that is immediately in debt to £1 billion is not the best use of taxpayers’ money.

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However Reform UK Southampton continues' to get ready for the coming challenges ahead. Not to do so, will only let those parties back into power, who have left debt ridden pasts as a legacy to their political ineptitude.  

 

10.07.2025

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