This change is part of the Government’s plan to move away from the current two-tier system, where responsibilities are split between county and district councils. Instead, unitary councils would deliver everything from social care and education to bin collections and planning – making services easier to access and more efficient and joined up for residents.
Local Government Reorganisation is a big chance to make council services simpler, stronger, secure and better for everyone. Hampshire County Council’s vision is to make services easier to use, cut confusion, and make sure help gets to those who need it most. It’s also about giving local people more say, making sure decisions are shaped by the communities they affect so that councils are trusted, spend money wisely, and work together to deliver what matters most.
The proposal, developed jointly by Hampshire County Council and East Hampshire District Council, recommends creating three unitary councils on the Hampshire and the Solent area mainland, with the Isle of Wight remaining a standalone unitary authority. The councils would cover the following areas:
- North: Basingstoke and Deane, East Hampshire, Hart, Rushmoor, Winchester
- South-West: Eastleigh, New Forest, Southampton, Test Valley
- South-East: Fareham, Gosport, Havant, Portsmouth
- Isle of Wight: (unchanged)
This model has been put forward as the preferred option following extensive research, financial analysis, and feedback from residents, public service partners, and local government experts.
Preferred model – rationale
The four-council model offers the best balance of simplicity, stability, and savings. It builds on the strengths of existing councils, avoids unnecessary disruption, and ensures vital services like social care and education continue without interruption.
After set-up, it is estimated to save nearly £50 million a year, cost the least to get going, and pay for itself in just three years. It also avoids the risks of creating entirely new council services and infrastructure from scratch, which would be more expensive and take longer to deliver benefits.
Under the proposal, the rural areas of the New Forest and Test Valley are grouped together in a South-West unitary council to ensure that the needs of less urban parts of the area are properly considered and balanced alongside those of nearby towns and cities. This approach helps to strengthen the rural voice in the south of the area and helps protect local identity. It also provides greater opportunity for growth and reflects natural geographic and community links - these areas share similar priorities and challenges and grouping them together allows for more joined-up and effective delivery of local services.
Other options considered
Two other configurations were considered but ruled out:
- Three-council model: This would have created two large mainland councils plus the Isle of Wight. While it could save more money on paper, it would involve breaking up existing services and merging large areas, creating significant risks of disruption, especially for vulnerable residents who rely on services like adult social care and children’s services. It could also dilute local identity and make it harder for councils to respond to local needs.
- Five-council model: This would have created four mainland councils and the Isle of Wight, but one of the councils would need to be built entirely from scratch, taking on major responsibilities for the most expensive and high-risk services like education, roads, waste disposal, and social care to the most vulnerable adults and children. This would be the most expensive and risky option, with no existing staff, systems or leadership in place. It would take over a decade to pay for itself and could lead to higher council tax bills or cuts to services like libraries and recycling centres.
Both alternatives also risk breaking up services, less joined-up thinking, and greater inequality between areas – meaning some residents might get better services than others depending on where they live.
A smoother, safer transition
The recommended four-council model offers a smoother and more secure transition, with stronger local leadership, better value for money, and services that are easier to access and more joined-up for residents. It also protects the unique identity of local places and ensures communities continue to have a strong voice in decisions that affect them.
Councillor Nick Adams-King, Leader of Hampshire County Council, said: “The Government has made it clear that all two-tier council areas like ours need to move to a single-tier system by 2028. That means big changes to how local services are run and it’s important we get it right.
“Working with our colleagues at East Hampshire District Council, we’re determined to secure the best results for residents in this transition, so our aim is for new councils to be strong, reliable, and easy to understand - that put local people first and make life simpler. They would run all local services in their area and build on what’s already working well - avoiding unnecessary disruption, and protecting key services like social care, education, highways, planning and waste. Our vision for local government would also make sure local communities keep their identity and have a strong say in local decisions.
“We’ve looked carefully at all the options. Some would save more money on paper, but they come with bigger risks – like breaking up services, creating confusion, or putting too much pressure on councils already facing financial challenges. Others would cost significantly more and take longer to deliver any benefit.
“We will be carefully considering this four-council model which aims to strike the right balance. Councillors will be looking closely to determine that it presents the most practical and affordable solution, puts residents first and offers the best chance of making the transition smoothly – so everyone continues to get the services they rely on, and councils can focus on delivering better outcomes for local people.”
Councillor Richard Millard, Leader of East Hampshire District Council, said: “This is a significant moment for the future of local government in Hampshire and the Solent. With increasing pressures on public services, we are looking at how we can simplify the system and deliver better outcomes for our residents. What sets this proposal apart is the robust, evidence-based approach taken to develop it. The use of data and a clear methodology has given us a strong foundation for a serious conversation about how local government should evolve.
"This is now a decision for councillors. It’s vital that all Members consider the long-term benefits for residents, communities, and the sustainability of local services when weighing up the options.
“This proposal has been developed with a spirit of collaboration and reflects a shared commitment to improving public services through innovation. As this progresses, continued partnership will be key to delivering the best outcomes for our residents, whichever model is agreed.”
If approved by the full County Council on Thursday 17 July, and the Council’s Cabinet on Friday 18 July, a public engagement period will run from 21 July to 17 August, giving residents and stakeholders the chance to share their views. This feedback will help shape the final proposal, which will be submitted to Government in the autumn.