Local Government Reorganisation
The government has asked councils across England to look at how local government is organised, as they believe this will improve services and make better use of public money.
In Hampshire, Southampton, Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight, that means local councils are being asked to consider options for replacing the current county, borough, district and unitary authority arrangements, and deciding what unitary authority boundaries would be appropriate. These newly formed councils will be responsible for delivering all council services to the residents in their area.
Joint work by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, Eastleigh Borough Council, Fareham Borough Council, Hart District Council, Havant Borough Council, Isle of Wight Council, New Forest District Council, Portsmouth City Council, Rushmoor Borough Council, Southampton City Council, Test Valley Borough Council and Winchester City Council, has found that creating four new unitary councils for mainland Hampshire to replace the existing 14 councils, with the Isle of Wight remaining an independent island unitary council, would save at least £63.9 million a year.
This proposal has now been submitted to government and is titled Close enough to be local, big enough to stay strong, which can be downloaded from this page.
The proposal, for the Hampshire and Isle of Wight area as a whole, are designed to better drive economic growth, deliver redesigned public services tailored to local needs and empower communities by enabling residents to shape local decisions. The proposals are also backed by the 12 councils as the best way to unlock and maximise devolution arrangements with the new councils working effectively with the Isle of Wight Council and the new elected Mayor for the whole region.
View the extraordinary council agenda and listen to the meeting here: Extraordinary Council meeting
View the additional cabinet agenda and listen to the meeting here: Additional Cabinet meeting
Government consultation
The government have now launched a public consultation on all the proposals submitted to them for local government reorganisation in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
This consultation is the last chance for residents to influence the biggest change to local councils in a generation. Our firm belief that creating five new councils – including a mid-Hampshire authority with Test Valley, Winchester, New Forest and East Hampshire – is the best option for our communities. Creating councils that are still small enough to be local, but big enough to stay strong, while saving millions, cutting duplication and keeping our market towns and rural areas together. The alternative would see us paired with the City of Southampton in a much larger council.
For more information and to fill out the consultation please visit www.closeenoughtobelocal.co.uk.
You have until 11 January 2026 to have your say.