Third council issues judicial review proceedings over reorganisation

In March, the Government confirmed plans to replace the county's local councils with four new unitary authorities, while keeping the Isle of Wight Council in its current form.

Hampshire had initially backed a four-unitary proposal that would have created three new unitary authorities and retained the Isle of Wight Council.

Confirming the proceedings, Hampshire’s leader, Cllr Nick Adams-King, said: “Having taken detailed legal advice, we believe there are proper grounds to challenge the Government’s decision through the courts. This is not a step we have taken lightly."

He added: "We fully recognise the cost of legal action, but that must be set against the potentially far greater cost of getting reorganisation wrong.

“A flawed and financially unsustainable structure could cost Hampshire’s council taxpayers tens, if not hundreds, of millions of pounds over the next decade."

Cllr Adams-King said the council had a duty to hold the Government to account and establish whether the Secretary of State’s decision was transparent, properly reasoned, supported by the evidence and informed by the professional advice provided by the civil servants responsible for the reorganisation programme.

"Above all, we need to be satisfied that this decision was made in the best interests of Hampshire’s residents and will result in councils that are financially resilient, sustainable and capable of delivering the services people need," he added.

Earlier this month, Hampshire's cabinet unanimously voted to allow the chief executive to proceed with a legal challenge, provided further counsel supports it.

Cabinet members considered a report during that meeting that estimated that both the county council’s legal costs and those of the Secretary of State would be less than £500,000 after the substantive stage.

Hampshire joins Essex County Council and Portsmouth City Council as the third local authority to launch a legal challenge against reorganisation.

Portsmouth confirmed plans to issue proceedings on Tuesday (23 June), while Essex committed to a challenge on Friday last week.

Adam Carey