COUNTY COUNCIL - CABINET/LEADER - 16 MAY 2002

REPORT OF THE CABINET/LEADER

PART II

REGIONALISM - GOVERNMENT WHITE PAPER

1. In its manifesto for the last elections, the Labour Party reaffirmed its commitment to the provision of directly elected regional government in regions where the electorate decide to support it in a referendum, and where a system of predominantly unitary government currently exists. A White Paper on Regionalism is now expected in May and the Cabinet has begun considering the issues likely to arise so that the County Council is in a position to provide a swift and informed response when it is published.

2. Given the various uncertainties over the issue, a certain lack of clarity from Central Government, and the links of the regionalism agenda with other areas such as the Planning Green Paper which proposes a regionally based framework for strategic planning issues, the Cabinet considers that it is of paramount importance to ensure that the County Council's arguments are communicated and heard, with particular regard to cost, efficiency and local accountability. There is strong evidence in the form of, for example, the highly acclaimed Local Transport Plan, the successful OFSTED inspection and a very positive annual letter from the District Auditor to support the Cabinet's contention that the County Council is in the optimum position, close enough to its electorate to be meaningful, yet large enough to act strategically. It is also considered important to gauge public opinion and accordingly the Cabinet has approved proposals for research amongst Hampshire residents, including a telephone survey, to assess attitudes towards local government and regional issues prior to publication of the White Paper. In a 1999 MORI/Economist survey, the South East received the least support for the creation of its own regional assembly at 37%, compared with the North East at 50% and London at 60%. The average support was 45%.

3. All Councillors will be kept fully apprised of developments on this highly important issue.

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