ROMSEY Extra Parish Council is to be merged with Romsey Town Council.

As previously reported, the decision to create an integrated third-tier council covering the entire town and area came as a result of a Community Governance Review conducted by Test Valley Borough Council. The parish council was originally established in 1894 and will cease to exist today (March 31).

Borough councillor for Romsey Tadburn and chairman of Romsey Extra Parish Council John Parker said: “There is a touch of sadness about seeing the historic Romsey Extra Parish Council disappear as it were. But, on the other hand, when one takes a broader view of what’s most beneficial to the residents of Romsey, the idea of merging the two councils together is one that I’ve been in favour of for some time.”

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He continued: “Most people identify with being in Romsey rather than one particular parish; the idea of bringing the two together reinforces the feeling of identity and being part of Romsey.

“And the parishioners of Romsey Extra enjoy the facilities in the centre of the town, which are largely paid for by Romsey Town Council, so it seems sensible to share the costs across both the parishes. And the new developments which are happening, particularly up in and around Cupernham Lane, have all contributed to a Community Infrastructure Levy which sits within Romsey Extra Council’s coffers, but really could usefully be spread across Romsey to the benefit of all the residents. So, there’s a lot of good logic, I think, in merging the councils together.

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“It is one Romsey, one voice, and share of the facilities and the revenues and the finances across all people who identify as living in Romsey.”

Cllr Parker confirmed that the merger will mean that Romsey will have one common council featuring 15 members as well as one point of contact at the town hall.

He added: “Hopefully we will have a council which is more outward looking and will continue to carry on looking after the historic centre of Romsey and the events which happen there but at the same time be able to have more time thinking about and making improvements to the existing infrastructure around Romsey.”