The government-imposed changes represent the biggest shake-up of how we are governed at a local level since the Local Government Act of 1972. One councillor observed that the public were not interested in local politics; all they wanted was to have their bins collected on time. Indeed, Test Valley residents still email me asking why the council is incapable of collecting glass bottles for recycling from the doorstep, when neighbouring Eastleigh council offers this service. Often, it is the decisions made at a local level which we feel most acutely as we go about our day-to-day business. Soon Test Valley Borough Council and Hampshire County Council will cease to exist.