A LOTTERY designed specifically for East Hampshire could pave the way for new bus services and grant handouts, it was revealed this week. Under plans being explored by East Hampshire District Council, people would be able to take part in a monthly draw with the chance of winning back a quarter of the total funds raised. And like the National Lottery, the rest of the money would be ploughed back into the community in the form of grant aid or new district council-led services. East Hampshire District Council (EHDC) leader Ferris Cowper said the proposals were only a "toe in the water", with a full business plan to be presented to councillors later this year. He told The Herald: "We have obtained legal clearance and full authorisation that we can run a lottery. Now that we have this possibility, it is something that we have got to look at very seriously. "The administration has a goal to minimise the council tax burden and maximise the services we provide." Councillors will be introduced to the idea at a meeting of EHDC's cabinet next week, when members will be asked to give the go-ahead to a feasibility study. A wider examination will then take place, including market research into how much revenue could be raised, the cost of tickets, and the level of prize money to be handed out. Under the scheme, a professional body would be used to run the lottery and sell tickets in much the same way as the national version. The Lotteries and Amusements Act 1976 gives councils the power to promote a lottery provided certain conditions are met, such as registering with the Gambling Commission before any tickets are sold. Mr Cowper added: "The current intention, if it is proved to be feasible, would be to use the funds either towards our community grants activities or towards a new service at the council, such as local buses. "When we were looking at this scheme, it seemed like a pretty good deal all round." It is believed that the scheme is not currently in operation in any other authority. Mr Cowper said a similar idea had gone under the microscope in Southampton some years ago but had failed to come to fruition as it was not found to be financially viable. But he hoped the proposal would be met more favourably in East Hampshire. And he allayed fears that such a lottery would be seen as immoral or a threat to existing charitable raffles and prize draws. "The history of the National Lottery is that it has not damaged the success of local church raffles," he said. But the idea has been met with scepticism by the Liberal Democrats at EHDC, who believe it would be an added burden on people who were less well off. The party's deputy leader, Peter Rodgers, said: "I'm not in support of this. I have the same feeling towards it as I do towards the National Lottery. "If we are going to put money into services, then the way that money is raised should be proportional to people's income. It puts an unfair burden on those who can least afford to pay. "I also believe this should not be dealt with in cabinet but should go before full council." At next week's meeting, cabinet members will be presented with the initial concept of the scheme in the form of a report by head of legal services Jo Gabell. The report says: "There are risks to this possible venture which will be addressed in a subsequent business case. "The possibility of raising funds by way of a local lottery is directly applicable to the council's priorities set out in the efficiency agenda. "As the council has the legal power to promote a local lottery, the next step is to undertake a robust business case to enable councillors to consider the matter further."
