THE WAR of words between Hampshire County Council and East Hampshire District Council has continued over the devolution debate.
In last week’s Post, district council leader Ferris Cowper described the decision to close the county’s waste recycling centres for one day a week and cut opening hours on the other six days as “embarrassing.” He also questioned whether other services were safe in the county’s hands as a result.
However, leader Roy Perry defended the county council’s record and said their decisions had been based on the views given to them by residents.
Cllr Perry said: “Hampshire County Council is one of the best run and effective local councils in the country, judged by independent and objective inspectors, and we have consistently listened to residents first, before taking fundamental decisions about how services are delivered – this remains our commitment to the people of Hampshire.
“In terms of dealing with waste, the cost is significant, and savings need to be found.
“Consequently, we’ve renegotiated new contracts, and will be generating income from small businesses who will be able to use our Household Waste Recycling Centres, and from charging people outside of Hampshire – so Hampshire taxpayers aren’t footing the bill.
“Our consultation on the future structure of local government in Hampshire leaves all options open for residents to decide how local services might be delivered in Hampshire, in future – including an option to merge all district councils and the county council into one, unitary authority for Hampshire. This could cut council tax and save over £40m per year without any loss of service.”