Calls for New Forest flag amid council shake up

A councillor is calling for the creation of a New Forest flag over fears the area could lose its identity in a major shake-up of councils.

Jack Davies has put forward the idea following the decision to split New Forest District Council under local government reorganisation plans.

The ward member for Pennington said he was passionate about protecting the identity of those in the national park, saying "councils are temporary, the New Forest is eternal".

Under the reorganisation, the Waterside area of the New Forest will join Southampton and Eastleigh to become one council, while the remainder of the New Forest will join with areas in East Hampshire, Test Valley and Winchester.

Ahead of the full council meeting on Monday, Davies is calling for a public competition to design an official flag.

He said: "I think it is a really powerful way to protect the New Forest identity, regardless of what happens."

He added: "I have always had a feeling that my New Forest identity is stronger than my Hampshire identity, and this situation with local government reorganisation has simply enhanced that.

"With the discussions going on now about whether the council can legally challenge the merger decision, I think it is important that we protect the New Forest identity going forward.

"Those living in the district are either going to join areas in a mid-Hampshire council, or join the South West Hampshire council [with Southampton and Eastleigh].

"In both of those situations, the New Forest is going to be the lesser partner."

Davies said he was spurred on following the creation of New Forest Together, a protest against splitting the council.

Started by married couple James and Emily Hartley-Binns, its petition has amassed more than 10,000 signatures.

Davies added: "The general feeling is one of support for a New Forest flag.

"One of the main design ideas is to include a stag or any element of nature in the New Forest, as that is what really stands out."

Fifteen councils covering Hampshire are to be replaced by five new all-encompassing, local authorities.

It means councils including Test Valley, Basingstoke and Deane and Hampshire County will cease to exist.

The government says the reorganisation will save local taxpayers money.

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