Meon Valley MP Flick Drummond is urging people to get involved in a public consultation about the future of town and parish councils in Whiteley and Curdridge.

Flick visited the consultation in Whiteley this week to discuss four future options brought about by development at North Whiteley.

Presently, Curdridge Parish Council covers North Whiteley while Whiteley Town Council covers the rest of the town and its centre.

The consultation is looking at the future arrangements for this tier of local authority.

Ms Drummond met Mike Evans, chairman of Whiteley Town Council and Eric Bodger, Chair of Curdridge Parish Council, as well as members of the public to view the four options being consulted on by Winchester City Council.

“This is an important reorganisation of town and parish councils and I would very much like local people to look at the options and give their views,” she said.

“My view is Whiteley would best be served by having one town council to speak with a strong voice for its residents and I hope residents will back option 2, which achieves that.

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“Curdridge and Whiteley are two very different places, one a rural village and the other a bustling town. Both communities need their town or parish council to reflect their respective character.”

Flick added that parish and town councils are important bodies that manage community assets and shape policy on planning and licensing matters alongside other responsibilities.

More information about the Whiteley consultation is available online at winchester.citizenspace.com/policy/community-governance-review-north-whiteley-phase-1/