The government wants to change the way local government is structured to make it simpler for residents. It has asked all 21 two-tier authorities across England – where there are county and district and borough councils – to submit proposals for new unitary councils through its plans for local government reorganisation.
An overview of local government reorganisation
For Hampshire and the Isle of Wight this would mean replacing Hampshire County Council, Portsmouth City Council, Southampton City Council and all the district and borough councils, including our council, with unitary councils of population sizes of around 500,000, although lower numbers will be considered.
The aim is to make it clear to residents and businesses who is responsible for all local government services in an area and ensuring better outcomes for local people by having one council delivering the majority of local services.
We have worked with 11 councils across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight to develop proposals for new unitary councils. All three of the options being considered focus on creating four new unitary councils for mainland Hampshire covering the four major urban economies and population centres of Southampton, Portsmouth, Winchester and Basingstoke and their surrounding areas.
Two of the options are based on amalgamating existing council areas, while the third includes some potential boundary changes but they would not affect the north Hampshire area. View the proposals including maps.
All the variations include a northern Hampshire unitary council encompassing the existing boroughs and districts of Basingstoke and Deane, Hart and Rushmoor.
During an Extraordinary Council meeting held on Thursday 25 September, councillors voted to support option one of the proposals for four new unitary councils for mainland Hampshire. The joint proposals were submitted to government on Friday 26 September 2025.
More on the proposals submitted to government
The local government reorganisation programme sits alongside the government’s intention to devolve some powers and funding to a new strategic authority under an elected Mayor, making decisions across the wider Hampshire and Isle of Wight area.
Similar to what already happens in London and Greater Manchester, this authority would set the vision and policy for areas like strategic planning, transport, economic development and skills, with the new unitary councils created delivering the services.
More on devolution and a Mayor for Hampshire and Solent
While we do this work and move forward with local government reorganisation, we will continue to deliver the very best services for our residents and will keep you updated on our progress through:
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