Ministers announced today that Southampton will join with Eastleigh, the Waterside area of the New Forest and the lower Test Valley wards.
This option, which will see 14 local authorities in Hampshire replaced by four unitary authorities, was Southampton City Council’s preferred outcome.
Southampton City Council leader Cllr Alex Winning. Picture: Submit
Labour council leader Alex Winning said: “This is the right decision for our area.
“Bringing together Southampton, Eastleigh, the Waterside and lower Test Valley creates a council that reflects the areas people already travel, work and build their lives in.
“It unites our port, airport and maritime industries, strengthens strategic planning, and ensures a balanced, diverse and sustainable population across the new authority.
“Now that the government has made its decision, it’s right that we come together and seize this opportunity to build a new council that delivers excellent services and improves the lives of local people.”
Darren Paffey, Labour MP for Southampton Itchen, said the new structure most sensibly aligned with the way the city and region worked.
Southampton Itchen MP Darren Paffey. Picture: LDRS
Mr Paffey said: “Southampton is a major engine for the Hampshire and UK economy, from our busy trade and cruise port to fast-growing sectors like life sciences, logistics and advanced manufacturing.
“Today’s forward-looking decision will help unlock even more potential through better planning, attracting more investment, and as a springboard to increase jobs and opportunities.
“People in the surrounding areas already rely on Southampton for healthcare, education and work, so this new unitary authority reflects the reality of how residents live their daily lives and will help the region’s potential growth as one connected economy.”
Mr Paffey said there would be a need to continue engaging with communities to ensure local identity is respected.
He added: “But this decision sets us on the right path: stronger councils, rooted in real places, and focused on delivering effective public services for everyone.”
Southampton Test Labour MP Satvir Kaur said she knew first-hand from her time as council leader that the existing local authority structure had held the area back from reaching its full potential.
Southampton Test MP Satvir Kaur. Picture: UK Parliament (Image sourced with Creative Commons licence creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/)
Ms Kaur said: “It’s why, as one of the local Members of Parliament, I’ve been working hard to ensure these changes better equip local leaders with the tools they need to tackle regional challenges – such as housing supply and affordability, public transport, skills development and health inequalities – in a deep and meaningful way that has been has not been an option for leaders to date.
“I’m looking forward to working with government, local authorities, and residents to make a success of this huge opportunity, and will do everything I can to ensure that we finally unlock our potential as a city and a region.”