Government announced last month that it is seeking views from councils on whether elections scheduled for 2026 should again be postponed to enable councils to progress their work towards local government reorganisation – creating new unitary councils in areas like Hampshire - to replace the 15 local authorities currently in place across Hampshire, Southampton, Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight.
Councils have until 15 January to respond to Government with their views on the potential postponement. A meeting of the full County Council will be held on 12 January. The Authority’s Cabinet will then take a decision on 15 January about the formal response that the County Council will send to the Government.
Leader of Hampshire County Council, Councillor Nick Adams-King said: “County Council elections are vital for local democracy and accountability, and I have consistently said I do not wish for our elections to be postponed further. The Government is currently seeking views from local councils on holding elections in 2026, and the impact of these on implementing local government reorganisation. This is a fundamentally important matter to our residents as it is a decision about the democratic process within Hampshire. As such, it’s right and proper that the decision about the County Council’s response to Government is taken in consultation with all elected Members of the County Council.
“Holding a Full County Council meeting on 12 January followed by a decision from Cabinet later the same week about the formal response we give to the Government is consistent with the approach we have taken on all matters relating to our local democracy, including local government reorganisation, and provides Hampshire’s elected County Councillors with the opportunity to share their views.”
The County Council’s response will be submitted to the Government following these meetings, ensuring that Hampshire’s position reflects the views of its elected representatives.