Test Valley Borough Council votes that model preserved

The motion was put forward by Councillor Neil Gwynne and seconded by Councillor Janet Burnage at a full council meeting on Thursday, July 22.

Members heard that the authority’s working culture is built on three key principles: the community councillor model, strong relationships between members and officers based on trust and open communication, and a willingness to work across party lines to achieve the best outcomes for residents.

Councillors agreed that maintaining this approach will be vital as parts of Test Valley are absorbed into the proposed Mid Hampshire and South West Hampshire unitary councils from May 2028.

Opening the debate, Cllr Gwynne said: "Politics should be about problem solving not point scoring.

"A focus on problem solving first does not mean we are never supposed to disagree, far from it, but when we believe there are better solutions available we should say so."

He pointed to a recent serious incident in Romsey as an example of the council’s approach, praising community engagement officers for providing detailed briefings to local members.

"That is typified so much of what I have experienced in my seven years as a Test Valley Borough councillor," he said.

"It is the culture of how we operate and work together."

Cllr Burnage said she had seen first-hand how the community councillor model benefits residents.

"It is something that Test Valley Borough Council should be proud of and it’s a model that we as members should ensure is carried forward after May 2028," she said.

Councillors from all political groups spoke in support of the motion, highlighting the authority’s cross-party working and strong officer relationships.

Council leader Cllr Phil North said dedicated community teams had helped foster a "grown up and mature" approach among members, adding that the authority had made a conscious effort to invest both officer time and financial resources into supporting councillors in their wards.

Cllr David Drew said the arrangements were "effective for members of the public who we serve", while Cllr Chris Donnelly described Test Valley as "by far the most collaborative" council he had worked with, praising the accessibility and responsiveness of officers.

Cllr Sandra Gidley warned that such a culture should not be taken for granted in larger authorities, adding that maintaining Test Valley’s approach would be "vitally important" under local government reorganisation.

The motion commits all current councillors to act as advocates for this way of working beyond 2028, regardless of whether they continue as unitary or parish councillors, or leave public office.

The proposal was carried unanimously.

Following the meeting, Cllr Neil Gwynne said: "Local government reorganisation will change structures, boundaries and responsibilities, but it must not change how we work together on behalf of residents.

"The best decisions are made when councillors, officers and communities work in partnership, and that's something worth protecting."