Basingstoke and Deane

Basingstoke and Deane is a local government district with borough status in Hampshire, England. The main town is Basingstoke, where the council is based. The district also includes the towns of Tadley and Whitchurch, along with numerous villages and surrounding rural areas. The modern district was created in 1974, initially being called Basingstoke. It changed its name to "Basingstoke and Deane" in 1978 at the same time that it was made a borough; Deane was added to the name to represent the rural parts of the borough, being the area's smallest village. Parts of the borough lie within the North Wessex Downs, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The neighbouring districts are Hart, East Hampshire, Winchester, Test Valley, West Berkshire and Wokingham. History The town of Basingstoke was an ancient borough. It appears to have had a degree of self-government from at least the thirteenth century, was incorporated as a borough in 1392 and was given the right to appoint a mayor in 1641. It was reformed in 1836 to become a municipal borough. The modern district was created on 1 April 1974 under the Local Government Act 1972, covering the area of three former districts, which were all abolished at the same time: Basingstoke Municipal Borough Basingstoke Rural District Kingsclere and Whitchurch Rural District The new district was initially named Basingstoke, after its largest town. Charter trustees were established for the area of the former borough of Basingstoke, allowing the district councillors representing that area to choose one of their number to take the title of mayor, continuing Basingstoke's series of mayors dating back to 1641. On 20 January 1978 the district was renamed Basingstoke and Deane and granted borough status, allowing the chair of the council to take the title of mayor instead, with the charter trustees being dissolved at the same time. The name Deane was chosen to represent the rural parts of the borough as it was said by the council to be the area's smallest village.