Government in Hampshire

Hampshire County Council is the third largest shire council in the country. We deliver the majority of Hampshire's public services to almost 1.4 million residents. This does not include people living in the Southampton and Portsmouth unitary council areas.

We are responsible for around 80% of all spend on council services in Hampshire, amounting to £2.6 billion a year.

Services provided by Hampshire County Council include:

• Education and Learning including supporting Hampshire schools (does not include privately run academy schools).
• Services for children and families including adoption and fostering, safeguarding, and support for young people.
• Maintenance of Hampshire's roads (except motorways and trunk roads which are the responsibility of National Highways), licensing for providers who need to work on the highway, and support for operators of public transport.
• Planning applications for mineral extraction, waste management and public buildings.
• Provision of social care and health in Hampshire.
• The Hampshire Library Service.
• The Countryside Service, looking after rights of way, and many of the county’s important green spaces.
• Household Waste Recycling Centres where residents can dispose of unwanted items.
• Trading Standards, ensuring fair trading in Hampshire, by supporting the county's businesses and protecting Hampshire consumers.

District, borough and city councils

District, borough and city councils provide services such as:

• Household waste collection
• Planning applications
• Leisure and community services
• Council Tax collection
• Housing

Find your local district or borough council

Parish, community and town councils

In some local areas in Hampshire, these councils operate at a level below district and borough councils and, in some cases, unitary authorities.

They are elected and can help on a number of local issues, like providing:

• allotments
• public clocks
• bus shelters
• community centres
• play areas and play equipment
• grants to help local organisations
• consultation on neighbourhood planning

Other governing bodies

• Fire and Rescue Authority
• Police and Crime Panel
• The Hampshire Partnership
• Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire
• New Forest National Park Authorities