Options being considered by other councils in Hampshire

An alternative option was submitted to government by Hampshire County Council and East Hampshire District Council. This option would see Basingstoke and Deane, Hart and Rushmoor areas as part of a larger unitary council.

The councils’ preferred proposal recommends the creation of three unitary councils for mainland Hampshire, alongside the Isle of Wight remaining separate as an island unitary authority.

Their proposals would see new councils covering the areas as follows:

• Mid-North: Basingstoke and Deane, East Hampshire, Hart, Rushmoor and Winchester
• West: Eastleigh, New Forest, Southampton and Test Valley
• South-East: Fareham, Gosport, Havant and Portsmouth
• Isle of Wight

This proposal would see the Basingstoke and Deane area become part of a bigger area, compared with other proposals to create a new council bringing together Basingstoke and Deane, Hart and Rushmoor.

The image below shows how our recommended proposal compares with the preferred proposal being considered by Hampshire County Council and East Hampshire District Council.