| The elections for the New Forest Forest District Council in 2007 might not now happen. The government have been pursuing an agenda to modernise public services, involving mergers of the police forces, ambulance trusts and primary care trusts. Now it seems that local government is about to undergo a major shake-up.
In the New Forest, it is still unclear what exactly will happen. The government are to publish a White Paper detailing new proposals for the structure of local government in June, at about the same time that an announcement on the 2007 elections is expected.
One possibility is that the County Council will be abolished. However, it seems more likely that the District Council will go, especially with the formation of the New Forest Park Authority which is now up and running and beginning to make an impact.
Senior Campaign Officers within the New Forest Liberal Democrat party are convinced that the planned New Forest District Council Elections in 2007 will not now go ahead. Councillor David Harrison says "My understanding is that the elections are now likely to be cancelled. The current crop of elected Councillors will probably be asked to serve a further year in office. During this period there will be a transfer of powers and responsibilities to a new Authority, Parish or Town Councils or the County Council."
Campaigns Organiser, Cllr Alan Weeks, says "The government should tell us what they plan as soon as possible. This state of suspension makes it really difficult for all political parties to plan. A late decision to go ahead with the elections will probably lead to an even lower voter turn-out". |
