RESIDENTS have just a few more days to have their say in the county council’s Serving Hampshire consultation on the future of local government in the county.

The consultation considers options for the creating of one or possibly two combined authorities and the introduction of one, or possibly two, directly elected mayors for Hampshire closes on Tuesday, September 20.

It also asks about options for replacing the county council and the 11 district councils in Hampshire with one or more new unitary authorities.

County council leader Roy Perry said: “This consultation is all about how local council services across Hampshire are delivered in future, such as social care, roads, schools, refuse collection, waste recycling centres and country parks.

“Understandably, these types of services matter to local communities.

“This is why we’re keen to hear from residents before we develop any proposals for the government to consider.

“As I’ve stressed before, the county council’s consultation is different from other councils’, in as much as we’re genuinely listening first and keeping all options open.

“I take the view that in a democracy you should ask first and decide second, not the other way round.

Councillor Perry said the county had been misrepresented on its position by some local councils.

“Our consultation invites views on a range of options and does no propose any one single, preferred way forward. Only when we have heard from the people of Hampshire, will the county council make any decisions.”

The majority of people in Hampshire are served by two councils – Hampshire County Council, which is responsible for most large-scale services e.g. education, social care and road maintenance, and a district or borough council – responsible for other services such as planning and waste collection.

One of the things residents are being asked is whether this or a new structure should be introduced.

Mr Perry added: “In considering these options, it’s important we don’t lose sight of the scale of the financial challenge that lies ahead of all of us. Hampshire County Council alone will need to find an extra £120million of on-going savings by 2019, on top of the £340million it will already have secured by 2017.

“It’s because we’re faced with these challenges, that we’re exploring all available options, in order to find a sustainable structure for local government for generations to come.

“Listening first, before taking fundamental decisions about the future - remains our commitment to the people of Hampshire.”

Full details about the Serving Hampshire consultation are available online at www.hants.gov.uk/servinghampshire. The consultation closes at one minute to midnight on September 20.