Residents urged to answer survey on local decision-making
Proposal could bring more locally focused decision making to Eastleigh Town Centre area.
Householders in Eastleigh town centre and surrounding neighbourhoods are being urged to take part in a survey on a proposal that could bring more locally focused decision making to the area.
As part of its commitment to giving residents greater ownership and control over the services and facilities delivered on their behalf, Eastleigh Borough Council is running a public consultation – known as a community governance review (CGR) - that could create one or more new parish or town councils. If agreed, it will bring the Eastleigh town area into line with the ten other parish and town councils across the Borough.
In a ‘parished’ town centre, householders would be represented by elected councillors who are responsible for more tightly drawn local areas than the much larger Borough Council wards, which are administered by the more strategic Eastleigh Local Area Committee. Elections to a new council or councils would take place in 2022.
The change would give residents a greater say in how the budget for local services - such as the maintenance of open spaces and play areas, and the management of community buildings and cemeteries - is spent.
The area covered by the CGR is bordered by Allbrook parish in the north, the M27/Test Valley/ Southampton City border to the south, the M3 to the west, and the River Itchen boundary with the Bishopstoke and West End parish areas to the east.
Residents in this area will receive a letter over the next fortnight with a link to an online survey asking for their views. A print copy is also available for those without internet access.
The Leader of Eastleigh Borough Council, Councillor Keith House, said: “With the threat of much larger ‘unitary councils’ being created, covering a far greater area than existing borough councils and over half a million people, it’s important we keep local decision-making to give residents effective and accountable local representation. We hope as many residents as possible in the town centre area fill in the survey and have their say on how their town should be run.”