IN?AN end of 2015 report, East Hampshire District Council (EHDC) leader Ferris Cowper says the authority is just one of a few local councils maintaining services, and even improving some.

It has also saved enough to invest in initiatives that will complete its independence from government grants and will enable EHDC’s share of council tax to be cut to nothing by 2024.

Cllr Cowper said: “A key component of this is income generation, and we took on staff from the commercial sector to work alongside our highly trained officers to deliver the programme.

“I also hope to make a major cost sharing announcement during 2016.”

It is expected new income and cost savings of just under £1m will have been generated in 2015 and indications for the year from April are in excess of £2m.

And until 2018 the council is funding three Police Community Support Officers dedicated to East Hampshire, and the council anti-littering campaign is also working extremely well.

Another issue in 2015 was the Hampshire-wide devolution bid.

Cllr Cowper said: “The Government has said the bid will only be agreed if there is much more housing in Hampshire.

“I fail to see the point of years of debate with you, and developers, agreeing a target figure (for new houses), only to throw all that away on the whim of the Secretary of State. This will be publicly debated by the council before a decision is made.

“And 2016 promises to be more important. So I would like to offer my sincere thanks to all council officers for their dedication and flexibility, and to all 44 councillors, for coming to terms with vital issues so quickly.

“I believe all our residents, businesses and volunteer organisations can look forward to an even better 2016. I wish a Happy New Year to everyone.”