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Cllr Thornber: senate would provide alternative to the 'inexorable' rise of unitary reorganisation A new Hampshire senate starts today (Friday) with the aim of delivering enhanced two-tier working in the county. The panel is the brainchild of Hampshire CC leader and County Councils Network (CCN) chairman, Ken Thornber. Cllr Thornber said the panel would provide an alternative to the ‘inexorable' rise of unitary reorganisation. ‘Local government two-tier systems have got to become more efficient,' he said. ‘They have, hanging over them, the spectre of the unitary movement.' The county council leader and every district council leader will have a seat on the senate, and an equal vote. Hampshire's police authority, fire and rescue service, PCT, strategic partnership and parish councils will also be represented. A representative from the armed forces who are stationed in the county will also have a seat. Cllr Thornber said the regional minister, Jonathan Shaw, was very interested in the senate when he visited Hampshire last week. The minister for the South East visited Hampshire CC's flagship Everest Community College in Basingstoke. Suffolk Coastal DC has agreed to share chief executive, Stephen Baker, with Waveney DC. Mr Baker will start dividing his time between the two authorities next month. ‘This important and innovative agreement is just the latest example of our commitment to joint working which has helped us deliver better services and even value for money,' said council leader, Ray Herring. Lancashire CC and Chorley BC have developed a joint locality plan for Chorley to encourage a closer working relationship between the two authorities. The plan sets out some of the main projects to be carried out in the next 12 months. Click here to read Jamie Hailstone's full interview with Cllr Thornber.

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WHITEHALL

Two-tier boost with Hampshire 'senate'

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