THE leader of Winchester City Council has welcomed a review of local government in Hampshire ahead of any devolution decisions.

Stephen Godfrey says that the commissioned review by leading advisors PwC will help the public and the council understand more about the future of local government.

Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council has commissioned a review of options for change by PwC in partnership with Hart, New Forest, Rushmoor, Test Valley and Winchester councils.

The review includes the Solent Combined Authority group of councils: Southampton, Portsmouth, Gosport, East Hants, Eastleigh, Fareham, Havant and the Isle of Wight.

Cllr Godfrey said: “PwC, who have worked extensively with councils on analysing options for local government reform, began an evidence-based, independent assessment of all options in June 2016.

“This is aimed at expanding on the more limited focus of work already done by Hampshire County Council, which concentrated on reducing costs rather than improving services for residents.

“Once that work is finished, it should provide a sound basis for consulting the people of Hampshire about what form of local government they want to see in the future.”

He added that the current consultation launched by Hampshire County Council doesn’t provide enough information about the choices available.

Cllr Godfrey pointed out a proposal for a county-wide unitary may be presented as ‘more efficient’ but could have problems.

These include fewer local representatives involved in decision-making, higher council tax and financial resources being shifted away from Winchester.