Hampshire County Council Leader responds on Government announcement to review Local Government Reorganisation for Hampshire and the Solent area

Earlier this year, central Government announced that four new unitary councils would be created on the Hampshire mainland from April 2028, replacing the 14 current councils serving the area (Hampshire County Council, 11 district and borough councils and the two unitary councils of Southampton and Portsmouth).

The announcement today follows concerns raised by the County Council about the basis on which the original decision was reached and the potential implications for residents, public services and local taxpayers. The Council will now consider the detail of the Government's announcement before deciding any further steps.

County Council Leader, Councillor Nick Adams-King, said: "I very much welcome the Secretary of State’s decision to withdraw the Government’s Local Government Reorganisation decision for Hampshire and the Solent.

“This is the right decision and, frankly, it demonstrates exactly why Hampshire County Council was right to challenge the previous process.

“That was never about defending the status quo. Local government can and should change. It was about making sure that a once-in-a-generation reorganisation, affecting more than two million people and the services they rely upon, was lawful, properly evidenced and capable of standing the test of time.

“I am therefore pleased that the new Secretary of State has listened, considered our view and concluded that the previous decision cannot simply proceed.

“The Government now has an opportunity to reset this process.

“My view remains that we should bring Hampshire and the Solent’s councils back around the table, give them the time and information necessary to develop a properly costed and financially sustainable solution, and wherever possible build consensus around it.

“Our focus throughout has been on securing the strongest possible arrangements for the future delivery of services, particularly those supporting vulnerable children and adults, education, highways and other essential frontline services. Getting Local Government Reorganisation wrong could have cost Hampshire residents tens or even hundreds of millions of pounds over the coming decade and damaged vital front-line services. Taking the time to get it right is infinitely preferable.

“I also welcome confirmation that elections will take place in May 2027 for existing councils using current boundaries. Local people should continue to have their democratic say while the Government decides what comes next.

“Today’s announcement gives us the opportunity to start again and produce something better. Hampshire County Council will engage constructively with the Government in doing exactly that.

“In the meantime, Hampshire County Council remains fully focused on delivering services to residents and supporting our communities as we have always done".