COUNTY COUNCIL LOBBIES MPS ON MAJOR ISSUES

The Government's grant loss, regionalism and the Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA) were on the agenda when Hampshire's Members of Parliament met Cabinet members and chief officers.

Hampshire County Council Leader Councillor Ken Thornber welcomed them to the Castle in Winchester to discuss important local issues facing the county. He kicked off the meeting by announcing that Hampshire has been classed as "excellent" in the recent CPA and thanked staff for delivering this result.

The County Treasurer updated on the "Hands off Hampshire" campaign and highlighted pressures on the budget now that the Government has gone ahead with redistributing money from councils in the south east to urban councils in the North and Midlands.

Councillor Thornber explained that he is anticipating a £45 million shortfall in the budget over the next few years because of the Government's new cash deal. He said that without a hefty council tax rise, Hampshire would be looking at drastic cuts to services to make up the grant loss.

He said: "This settlement flies in the face of our recent `excellent' CPA that recognised our strong financial control and our commitment to shifting resources to high priority areas. It is ironic we have just received the joint lowest grant settlement of all county councils and as a result we will be forced to make up the shortfall through council tax if we are to maintain service levels. Is this how the Government should treat `excellent' councils?"

He urged MPs to continue to lobby Government for a better settlement and assured them that the "Hands off Hampshire" campaign will continue into the New Year.

The meeting also discussed the Government's sounding out of opinions for referenda that could pave the way for regional government. Previous research conducted by MORI on behalf of the County Council revealed that there is little appetite for it. While a mere 35% supported regional government, most wanted powers devolved down from central government, not taken away from Hampshire County Council.

MPs were asked to get involved with the legislation as it goes through Parliament and to seek amendments and improvements to the Bill, as well as reminding Ministers evidence from Hampshire's research shows that there is a lack of interest in this county for another tier of bureaucracy. They were similarly asked to tackle the Planning Reform Bill which abolishes County Structure Plans and passes responsibility up to Regional Assemblies.

Commenting after the meeting, Councillor Thornber said: "The meeting was an extremely useful opportunity for the County Council to discuss these important matters with our representatives in Westminster to keep them briefed on the issues facing the County Council and their constituents.

"It also gave me a chance to thank them for their support for our "Hands off Hampshire" campaign and to ask for them to continue to raise these issues with Ministers in Parliament."

Speaking after the meeting Fareham MP, Mark Hoban said: "Aside from the clearly very disappointing financial settlement that the County Council received, there are a lot of other pressures on the county, including penalising it for the Government's assault on nursing and residential homes."

Sandra Gidley, MP for Romsey added: "This is not the end of the story. The Government is trying to persuade everybody that they are vastly increasing the money to all local authorities. In previous years they have given extra grants.

"What they're really doing now is including those grants in the overall sum in the same way that a skinflint will re-wrap an old Christmas present. I will be looking to secure a debate in Parliament on this in the New Year."

Ends

Notes to Editors

MPs who attended the meeting:
Sandra Gidley (Romsey); Mark Hoban (Fareham); Gerald Howarth (Aldershot); Andrew Hunter (Basingstoke); Michael Mates (East Hampshire); Desmond Swayne (New Forest West); Peter Viggers (Gosport).

Roy Perry MEP

Vanessa Burton (01962) 847367
17 December 2002
D393 G+