Hayling Parish Council is close!
87% of responders to Havant's Phase 1 survey voted FOR a Hayling Parish (or Town) Council. Thank you!
Now Havant has given us more detail on the exact proposals, which HIRA supports, and now we need ONE FINAL STEP to CONFIRM it in the very short Phase 2 survey HERE. And if you AGREE with it, you can finish it in 1 minute in a few clicks.
Mainland councillors are less keen, and they could still vote it down at the final decision point in July, so PLEASE do it now to show that it's the democratic will of the island.
The consultation & survey close on Thursday 2nd JULY.
You can find out more details in HIRA's view below, and on
Havant's Information Page.
This might be our last chance for at least 5 years!!!
So please tell Havant you agree.
What is proposed?
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Create "Hayling Island Parish Council”.
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With 20 elected councillors.
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Elected as a whole island, not by Ward.
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Havant will calculate the first year's Council Tax precept, estimated at below £50 p.a. for Band D.
HIRA supports these proposals, with the following comments:
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THE NAME. Many people think of Hayling as a Town more than a Parish, so wanted "Town Council", but this can be easily changed once it's formed.
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20 COUNCILLORS. That's the recommended size for our population. Some have said finding 20 willing candidates would be a challenge, but so long as we can find 8 or more, we'd be able to run, and they can co-opt more members as necessary. But fewer could be an issue, and the number CAN'T be changed easily in future without a boundary review.
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WHOLE ISLAND ELECTION. This is MUCH simpler than warding, and makes finding good, keen councillors much easier. The only downside is that areas such as North Hayling might be outvoted and under represented, but Warding has such big disadvantages, that it's not recommended.
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COUNCIL TAX PRECEPT. This is the most controversial area, as some are worried that the a Parish Council could raise Council Tax unreasonably.
Since the initial transfer will just be allotments, we hope to see the initial precept well below £50 p.a., as there will be few costs until it gets established and takes on more services. However, there will be initial setup costs, legal fees,elections, insurance and budget for maintenance and repairs.
We'd like to see future election candidates pledge to put significant tax increases to a referendum.
What happens next?
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On July 20th, full council will vote a final YES/NO. Many mainland councillors are not in favour, so this is by no means certain.
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If passed, Havant will write the legal Structural Change Order to make it happen.
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1 April 2027 the Community Governance Review Order takes effect, and the Parish Council comes into existence.
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May 2027 is the earliest possible date for elections for any new parish council, probably with the Shadow Unitary elections.
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Havant will organise the first Parish Council meeting, at which point councillors will elect a leader and start to take over the services handed over, probably only allotments to begin with, and consider whether to change its name.
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Over the coming years, the Parish Council will negotiate with the higher Council, probably the new Unitary, to take on other services and assets.