Hampshire residents face a further wait for Government decision on council reorganisation plans

While the Minister for Local Government, Devolution and Growth, Jim McMahon has confirmed that councils will be reorganised in April 2029, with shadow council elections expected in 2028, no final decision has been made on the structure for Hampshire and the Solent area. 

In September, the Government withdrew its original LGR decision for Hampshire and the Solent area which would have seen four new unitary councils 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).

All the previously submitted proposals to reorganise councils will now be reconsidered, with an initial decision expected before Christmas or early next year.
 
Responding to the announcement, Leader of Hampshire County Council, Councillor Nick Adams-King, said: "This morning’s update confirms that Local Government Reorganisation is still going ahead. After months of work by councils, ministers withdrew their decision following updated legal advice in the face of our Judicial Review.

“Hampshire is now in the second batch, with a decision expected in three to four months, though no date is confirmed. Borough council elections will go ahead in May 2027. Shadow council elections are planned for May 2028, with new authorities taking over in April 2029. That leaves residents, staff and organisations facing prolonged uncertainty.

“I welcomed the withdrawal because the proposed councils’ financial sustainability had not been established. The Government must now provide clear, independently tested evidence that any new structure will deliver resilient councils, high-quality services and genuine savings. That case must include transition costs, pressures on each council and when savings will be achieved. We will challenge any decision that falls short.

“The Government must also take responsibility for the cost of getting the decision-making process wrong. Councils should be reimbursed for the costs of pausing and restarting the programme and wasted implementation costs if a different decision is reached. 

“Meanwhile, Hampshire’s needs do not pause. Demand for social care and support for children with SEND continues to grow. We will keep improving services, expanding local provision, supporting independence and making every pound count, while pressing ministers for fair funding and the freedom to reform.

“Residents need dependable services today and a financially sustainable council tomorrow. Delivering both remains our priority."

Read the Government's announcement in full.