Gosport Borough Council is opposed to the Government's plans for Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation. Councillors believe that decisions on Gosport's future are best made by elected Gosport councillors of whichever party who are accountable to local Gosport residents, not by councillors from other parts of Hampshire who are less likely to have Gosport's best interests at heart.
Gosport Borough Council also believes that the Government's Devolution proposals are flawed insofar as they concentrate powers in the hands of Metro-style Mayors and new regional councils with populations of 500,000 or more. Gosport Council believes true devolution would devolve powers down to District, Town & Parish Councils who are closer to the people they serve and thereby more democratic & accountable. Council notes there is little evidence to suggest 'bigger is better' or likely to produce the financial savings which the Government claims. Gosport Council rejects plans for a 'Greater Portsmouth' Unitary Authority merging the existing Portsmouth Unitary Authority with the existing Gosport, Fareham & Havant Borough & District Councils.
Gosport Borough Council is also opposed to the attempt by Hampshire County Council to postpone or cancel this May's County Council elections. Gosport councillors believe that both County & Borough councillors should be accountable to local residents through the ballot box and that any attempt by politicians to cancel or postpone elections for political reasons sets a very dangerous precedent.