Portsmouth residents have delivered a resounding ‘leave Portsmouth alone’ message to Government, with 82% opposing forced council reorganisation in a recent survey. Just under 4,000 residents responded to the ten-day poll.
The overwhelming majority voiced objection to Portsmouth being compelled into Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) and merging with other councils. The survey captured local opinion before a region-wide LGR consultation across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
“The result speaks for itself and it’s one of the most decisive answers we’ve ever had to a survey, and by far the biggest response in such a short time,” said Portsmouth City Council Leader Cllr Steve Pitt.
“It was vital that we gave Portsmouth residents a say and the message to Government is clear, we don’t need council reorganisation here, leave Portsmouth alone.
“Portsmouth already has one council that’s financially stable and delivers all of the council services to residents. There’s no evidence that a bigger new council will bring any benefits, but what we know is, the cost of reorganisation will be on tax-paying residents.”
Under national LGR plans, the Government wants to replace two-tier council areas with single, larger councils delivering all council services. Portsmouth already operates as a single council, but because the Government wants new councils serving around 500,000 people – larger than Portsmouth’s population – the city has been told it must participate.
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The Government may not heed Portsmouth residents and could force the city into LGR. Considering this possibility, the survey asked whom Portsmouth should merge with if compelled. Of those expressing a preference, 61% agreed that, if forced, Portsmouth should merge with Fareham, Gosport and Havant councils.
All other merger options with different councils received under 10% support.
Individual councils must submit final, preferred LGR options to Government by September.
Portsmouth City Council is working with 12 councils across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight on options creating four new, larger single councils covering the mainland, with the Isle of Wight remaining separate. All options propose Portsmouth joining with Fareham, Gosport and Havant.
A region-wide survey on these options is live and closes on Sunday 27th July.
