Residents, businesses and groups across the borough can have their say on options for the unitary council that will deliver all services across Basingstoke and Deane in the future, in a government consultation. 

The government has launched a consultation on major changes to how councils are structured across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, as part of its plans for local government reorganisation. The consultation asks for views on four proposals for future councils for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.  

Three of the proposals would see five unitary councils for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. All of these proposals would see the creation of a new unitary council for North Hampshire, bringing together the existing areas of Basingstoke and Deane, Hart and Rushmoor and serving its 407,500 population. 

All these five unitary council proposals were put forward to the government by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council and 10 other councils in the county, who worked together to develop proposals for the best shape and size of new unitary councils that will provide all the services in their areas in future. 

The joint proposals would see four new unitary councils created around the major economic centres of Southampton, Portsmouth, Winchester and Basingstoke to serve the over two million people in mainland Hampshire. The Isle of Wight would stay an independent island unitary council under the proposals meaning there would be five councils in future rather than the current 15. 

The new councils would replace Hampshire County Council and the 13 district, borough and existing unitary councils, saving at least £63.9 million a year. 

The fourth proposal being consulted on by the government was submitted by Hampshire County Council and East Hampshire District Council for four unitary councils. Under this proposal three new unitary councils for mainland Hampshire would be created alongside the Isle of Wight.  

This proposal would join Basingstoke and Deane with East Hampshire, Hart, Rushmoor and Winchester, serving a population of 656,000 people. 

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council Leader Cllr Paul Harvey said: “The government’s proposed changes to council structures across the county provide an important opportunity to shape how local services are delivered for the people who rely on them every day. It’s vital that residents, businesses and community organisations take part in this consultation to make sure their voices are heard. 

“Alongside 10 other councils across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, we support creating a new council to deliver all local services under one roof for North Hampshire, as part of four new mainland councils in Hampshire. This would provide more tailored services to meet local needs, boost our local economy and give our residents opportunities to shape decisions that affect their daily lives.” 

The government consultation, which runs until Sunday 11 January 2026, can be viewed at www.gov.uk/government/collections/hampshire-isle-of-wight-portsmouth-and-southampton-local-government-reorganisation

For more information on local government reorganisation and what it means for Basingstoke and Deane, visit www.basingstoke.gov.uk/future-councils

More information on the joint proposals submitted by 11 councils in Hampshire can also be found at www.closeenoughtobelocal.co.uk

 The local government reorganisation programme sits alongside the government’s plans to devolve some of its powers and funding to a new strategic authority under an elected Mayor, making decisions across the wider Hampshire and Isle of Wight area.