AMBITIOUS plans for East Hampshire to be part of a devolution deal bringing more government money into the district have stalled.
East Hampshire District Council (EHDC) now won’t be part of the latest proposed deal which will see Portsmouth, Southampton and the Isle of Wight bid to take back decision-making from Whitehall, and access more government cash.
EHDC deputy leader Councillor Richard Millard said: “I am delighted proposals for a combined authority are moving forward.
“It was hoped that neighbouring district and borough councils would be part of the new arrangements.
“The reason we can’t be involved at this stage now is we need Hampshire County Council to be part of the initial negotiations, but this has been prevented by its refusal to be part of this.
“However I understand that once a combined authority in some form is established, it is possible that neighbouring councils and other organisations involved in public services could be invited to join, and, of course, we would very much welcome this.”
The county council is opposed to groups of Hampshire councils negotiating their own devolution deals.
It would rather see a combined authority led by the county council,
But this idea may signal the end of district and town councils and is opposed by the lower tier councils.