THE revelation that East Hampshire District Council (EHDC) has aligned itself with a devolution bid to create a Combined Solent Authority has been met with scepticism over how the district would fare under such a scheme.

It has sparked fears that it would merely serve as the Solent’s corridor to London and would also put a tried-and-tested local government system under threat.

Mark Kemp-Gee, county councillor for the Alton Rural division, has challenged the concept put forward by district council leader Ferris Cowper, believing that, being so far north, East Hampshire would be an odd fit in a southern coastal plan.

Currently excluding Hampshire County Council, as well as part of the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) area of Winchester, Test Valley and the New Forest, the proposed Combined Solent Authority would include eight councils – Eastleigh, Fareham, Gosport and Havant borough councils, the Isle of Wight Council and Portsmouth and Southampton city councils, with EHDC providing “the Solent’s corridor to London”.

But Mr Kemp-Gee believes it would be the wrong solution for East Hampshire which, he says, “is worth more than merely being the Solent’s corridor to the capital” and should remain part of the wider Hampshire Combined Authority bid.

He said: “Hampshire County Council has done its level best to accommodate George Osborne’s desire for devolution based on his northern model of metro mayors but has made it clear that an elected mayor would not be our preferred model because of the diversity of our countryside, rural towns and villages and cities spread over a wide geographical area and the fact that we have a successful low-cost, three-tier local government system.

“It made sense for the whole of the county to link with the three unitary councils to form a powerful devolved unit and, in fact, no other devolution proposition has cut across a county boundary as the Combined Solent Authority does.

“Hampshire ranks as one of the most historic counties in England. Twenty years ago a centrally-inspired local government reorganisation decreed that the Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton should become unitary authorities (single tier local government units). The rest of Hampshire remained a two-tier county with 11 district councils combined with the county council as the first-tier authority.

“Additionally, across the county area there is a superb layer of parish and town councils originating from Saxon and Norman times which form a valuable third layer with a democratic process reaching into all parts of the county. This system has worked well but is now threatened.”

Mr Kemp-Gee is keen to stress that the county council has co-operated with central government to launch a devolution proposal for the whole of Hampshire together with the coastal-based unitary authorities but has reservations about an elected mayor – not just because of the diverse area but due to real concerns about the introduction of an expensive extra layer of local government.

“For years now Hampshire County Council has been developing money-saving partnerships working across all areas of local government, with other counties and with the emergency services,” he said.

“Also, we value highly our corporate governance, our democratic systems and ideals, and our skilled officers within all vital services across the county that help us to have the lowest council tax of any English shire county, combined with the best services.

“Instilled in our DNA is our consideration for our district councils. There is no desire to create another layer of government.”

Turning the spotlight on EHDC, Mr Kemp-Gee believes that with its rural nature and with the South Downs National Park covering two-thirds of its land mass, East Hampshire “calls out for an holistic solution to this devolution issue”.

“East Hampshire’s diverse communities, its democratic heritage and its vibrant parish and town councils suggest that such an important issue should not be decided by a narrow clique at the district council who wish to force on East Hampshire a Solent Combined Authority.

“East Hampshire has a strong economy despite its rural nature and relatively small population and is the fourth largest contributor to the county of all 11 districts. The Isle of Wight, Portsmouth, Southampton and Eastleigh are not so fortunate financially and that’s why a Hampshire-wide combined authority, including our coastal unitary friends, makes so much sense as we would be stronger together.

“What does not make sense is for East Hampshire to join this coastal coalition in isolation merely to provide a corridor to London.

“Perhaps to them a devolved Hampshire may seem threatening but all councils will retain their councillors, their authority, their franchise, powers and democratic credentials.

“The county’s devolution proposal cements friendships and creates a strong economic and infrastructure base. There is much to gain and little to lose.”

And he added: “Above all, East Hampshire’s northern and southern towns and villages require our protection in terms of inappropriate housing development and excessive and pollutant-heavy traffic activity that are implied by providing the Solent’s so-called corridor to London. Real protection and enhanced prospects for East Hampshire comes with a county-wide devolution solution. I am sure we will find one.”