Here are few ideas to add to the discussion - all said without any insider knowledge so dont go off on one - just some thoughts (which I am happy to poke if they are really that 'off the wall'!):
Replace one ageing ASW that has been 'cut n shut' to make a troop lifter and replace with a more modern ASW,and 'cut n shut' that into a troop lifter. Try and align ASW Merlin to RAF Merlin and Junglie crew use the same simulator, tactics, RWOETU output and regulatory environment etc.
Doesn't really matter where the aircraft/base is (that is why we get paid Boarding School Allowance/CEA/MQs etc), but probably efficient and effective to co-locate with the RAF Merlins (common OCU, common spares, common engineering practices etc).
Now use Yeovilton for what is left of the Merlin ASW fleet (just enough to cover Maritime commitments) and more importantly FLynx. That should be the 'quid pro quo' for the Fisheads - they get to keep a 'minor' Merlin ASW fleet, but a 'major' Lynx capability. Make 815 and 847 multi-role (both can conduct blue water and littoral ops) and put the Pongos South Side (because they really do smell
but they are nice and close to SPTA (unlike their current location).
Make Lyneham the SH superbase and Yeovilton the FLynx super base. As to Culdrose - Hawks and Wet Dreams (well their replacement) and more importantly the emerging Joint capability of the Sea King AEW or if it really does have to be cost neutral (dont you just hate that term!), leave the few Hawks at Yeovilton and RAF Nav trg and RN Observer trg combine and leave the Sea King 'node' at Culdrose.
What are we going to do with the Sea Kings, just after the GTi version has been delivered - simple, if they expected the Fisheads to fly it on until 2030, then surely it would be good enough for a future SAR privatisation contract - reduce the cost as the 'winner' doesn't have to resource shiney new aircraft, MoD/H M Government supplies to reduce contract cost.
Sorry Fisheads - not a time to be territorial. It looks as though we are losing Odiham and Benson, you can cough up Culdrose, especially if it means that you get something more capable than the Sea King to bring on Operations! Here is another quid pro quo for you, we'll even throw in the Danish Merlins for you to ensure that you really can do the Amphib stuff and also concurrently help out with Land/JHC tasks - you signed up to bobbing around in boats, you guys are welcome to it and I am sure the Freaks would sacrifice the Danish cabs for the greater good.
Sorry Pinger boys, but dont worry, I am sure that when they convert your Merlins they will ensure that the Radars and Sonars are all stored properly just in case the 'Hunt For Red October' kicks off again and not unlike now when the SH fleet desperately needs bolstering, then in the years to come the Merlin Sqn at Yeovilton can be re-roled by some ex-troop lifters and the capability built back up as RUSI and PJHQ see that threat increasing more than the current 'threat' to world peace.
If we are that broke and the priority is winning the 'war'/campaign in the Stan then sadly if the Treasury really are going to take Defence in general to the wire (and beyond) then this may alleviate some of the pressure on the frontline SH force
and the most important thing of all save human life on operations
But, Belvedere (or whatever it is called) really is taking a very long time and a lot of man hours to reach a decision - too much Service politics combined with too much Governmental politics does not bode well for a swift resolution and execution of the plan.