New councils proposed for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight

On Wednesday 25 March 2026, the Minister for Housing, Communities and Local Government The Rt Hon Steve Reed OBE MP announced the final structure for new councils across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, as part of its plans to simplify how local services are delivered across the county.

This decision would have replaced the 14 existing county, city, borough and district councils in Hampshire with four new unitary councils.

This decision would have meant that a new North Hampshire Council would have been created in April 2028 to deliver services currently run by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, Hart District Council, Rushmoor Borough Council and Hampshire County Council.

This would have been one of four new unitary councils created in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight that will provide all services to the people in their areas. The other councils would have been:

• Mid Hampshire
• South West Hampshire
• South East Hampshire
• Isle of Wight (remains a standalone island authority)

But the government withdrew that decision in September 2026 for a review that is still ongoing.

The now withdrawn March decision was based on proposals that were submitted to the government by 11of the 15 councils in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, including us.

The joint proposal submitted to government, entitled Close enough to be local, big enough to stay strong, from 11* of the 15 councils in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight can be viewed below. A website detailing the work carried out by the 11 councils is also available.

View the full proposal - Close enough to be local, big enough to stay strong

Foreword and Executive Summary

1. Our approach to assessing the options and developing this proposal

2. Our vision for four mainland unitary authorities and the Isle of Wight

3. Hampshire and the Isle of Wight – the areas, economies, and partnership working

4. How our model meets the government criteria

5. Isle of Wight case for remaining as an existing unitary council

6. Alignment of our proposal to other government priority policy areas

7. Financial Case

8. Implementation Plan

Appendices

The new council structures 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. It would also 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.