Question
I thank the Minister for his statement. I urge him to make a “minded to” decision as quickly as possible for Hampshire, and for that to include the creation of a north Hampshire unitary authority. It is right economically and for the delivery of public services, and has a coalition of charities and businesses behind it. I also join my hon. Friend the Member for Exeter (Steve Race) in urging representation for districts—not just cities, but large towns such as Basingstoke—on the Hampshire and the Solent combined county authority.
Answer
Hampshire was one of the areas where decisions were withdrawn earlier in September, so we will be reviewing that process. As I think I said before, it should not be assumed that, just because areas were in previous batches, that will be the order in which we will take them. We will confirm how we will batch those up, or not, in the coming weeks.
Verdict: RED (12/100)
The reply confirms that Hampshire's decision was withdrawn and that the process will be reviewed, with batching to be confirmed 'in the coming weeks'. However, it only partly answers the first question: it does not say whether or when a 'minded to' decision will be made. It does not address whether a north Hampshire unitary authority will be included, or how districts and large towns such as Basingstoke would be represented on the Hampshire and Solent combined county authority. The person who asked would most likely need to submit a follow-up for specific answers.
How we got there
| Question item | Coverage | Specificity | Rationale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Will the Minister make a 'minded to' decision on Hampshire's local government reorganisation as quickly as possible? | Partially Addressed | Hedged | The reply confirms Hampshire's decision was withdrawn and says the process will be reviewed, with batching to be confirmed 'in the coming weeks', but it never says whether or when a 'minded to' decision will be made or commits to doing so as quickly as possible. |
| Will that decision include the creation of a north Hampshire unitary authority? | Not Addressed | Generic | Nothing in the reply mentions a north Hampshire unitary authority or says whether the forthcoming decision will include one; it only discusses the general batching and review process. |
| Will the Government provide for representation of districts, including large towns such as Basingstoke, and not only cities, on the Hampshire and Solent combined county authority? | Not Addressed | Generic | The reply says nothing about representation of districts or large towns such as Basingstoke on the Hampshire and Solent combined county authority. |