Council to demand compensation amid paused reorganisation programme
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Fareham Borough Council has passed a motion asking the Government for compensation following delays to the Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) programme.
The motion, backed by members during a full council meeting last week, says that the LGR process was "forced upon" the borough, "with a very small budget, and with very little input as to the outcome".
It complains that the council has been "left in limbo as to what comes next" under the delay, and claims that there was "insufficient democratic consultation" to justify the programme itself.
The motion says that there should have been an allocated budget from central government to pay for the process, and resolves that the council: "Write to the Secretary of State for financial compensation and setting out its views on proposed options for LGR affecting the Fareham and wider Hampshire area."
The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Angela Rayner, announced the pause in September, stating that the delay would help ensure the LGR process is robust, complies with the law and remains aligned with the priorities of the new administration.
At least 11 local authorities have launched judicial review challenges against the Government over the paused, but not withdrawn, decisions on LGR in their respective areas.
Adam Carey
