Devolution and local government reorganisation
In December 2024, the Government announced a significant reform programme for local government.
The programme includes two main initiatives:
- Devolution
Transferring powers and funding from Whitehall to local areas by creating regional Strategic Authorities with an elected Mayor, covering populations of over 1.5 million in all areas of England that don't already have them. - Local Government Reorganisation
Ending the two-tier county and district council system by forming new unitary local authorities with populations of at least 500,000.
Devolution Consultation
This is exciting news for Hampshire
Devolution represents the biggest change to local government in a generation and to be accepted onto the Government's Devolution Priority Programme as a fast-track to delivering devolution for the area is a fantastic opportunity for Hampshire to self-determine and shape devolution proposals in the best interests of our residents and communities.
Councillor Nick Adams-King,
Leader of Hampshire County Council
Hampshire and the Solent devolution bid
On 6 February 2025, the Government announced that Hampshire County Council, Portsmouth and Southampton City Councils and Isle of Wight Council had been successful in their joint bid for inclusion on the Government's fast-track Devolution Priority Programme (DPP).
A regional Mayor will be elected to head up a new Strategic Authority across the wider region. The mayor will be responsible for driving local economic growth, strategic planning and infrastructure, strategic transport and other areas. Their powers and funding will be transferred from government departments.
This change will bring significant investment and additional powers to improve economic growth, skills, transport and regional collaboration in the area. The Mayoral Strategic Authority will work closely with local councils, focusing on responsibilities currently held by Central Government in Whitehall.
Elections for a Mayor are expected to be held in May 2026.
To enable our region to progress Devolution to the most ambitious timeframes, the Government has confirmed that local elections for Hampshire County Council will be postponed until May 2026. They were due to take place in May 2025.
What is devolution?
Devolution is the transfer of powers and funding from national to local government. It is a process that enables more decisions to be made locally, closer to the residents and businesses affected.
The UK Government published a devolution white paper on 16 December 2024, setting out its plans for devolution in England.
What would devolution mean for Hampshire?
Administrative boundaries don’t relate to real life – where we live, work, shop, socialise and engage in leisure activities cross local authority boundaries all the time. A Mayoral Combined County Authority would look at the area as a whole which would give it a unique ability to consider that the region’s supporting infrastructure needs such as roads, rail, adult skills training and support for business to work better for those who live, work and visit Hampshire and the Solent.
A devolution agreement would create a new single body, known as a Strategic Authority. The Strategic Authority would cover the combined geographic area of Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton. This combined area will be known as Hampshire and the Solent.
The Hampshire and the Solent Strategic Authority will be led by a directly elected Mayor. Subject to the approval of the devolution agreement, the first Mayoral election in Hampshire and the Solent is expected to take place in May 2026. The Strategic Authority will become operational at around the same time.
With a Strategic Authority and Mayor in place, Hampshire and the Solent will receive new powers and funding from central government. More decisions on transport connectivity, skills and employment support, housing and strategic planning, economic development, energy and public safety can be made in our region.
The Government's devolution white paper contains a summary table of functions that will be devolved to Mayoral areas (see pages 86 to 90).
Where Strategic Authorities will sit in the central / local government landscape
Current
Central Government
Controls many things that have local impacts, such as regional transport networks, regional planning decisions.
Local councils
Can only raise money through council tax and have little say in regional decisions.
After devolution
Transfer of powers and access to better funding.
Central Government
Controls national-level decision making.
Strategic authorities
New regional duties and powers in:
- funding and investment
- transport and local infrastructure
- skills and employment
- housing and planning
- economic development
- environment and climate change
- health and wellbeing
- public safety
Local councils
Have representatives at the strategic authority, so can influence policy.
What is the Devolution Priority Programme?
The Devolution Priority Programme (DPP) has been set up by the UK Government for areas seeking to come to a devolution agreement more quickly.
In January 2025, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton Councils submitted a joint expression of interest in joining the DPP.
On 5 February 2025, the Government announced that Hampshire and the Solent is one of six areas across England to take part in the DPP in 2025 and 2026.
Why is the 2025 County Council election being postponed?
Hampshire’s participation on the Devolution Priority Programme means that we have a more intensive schedule for implementing devolution than other areas of the country. The work to unlock devolution for the region and establish the new Hampshire and the Solent Strategic Authority must be completed within 15 months, so that the first Mayoral election can take place in May 2026.
Separately, the Government has sent a formal invitation to all county and district councils and neighbouring small unitary councils to develop proposals for local government reorganisation. The final proposals in each area must be submitted in September 2025.
The Government has granted a small number of councils permission to postpone their election by one year only, from May 2025 to May 2026. This includes Hampshire County Council and Isle of Wight Council. This is essential to ensure the necessary stability, capacity and commitment to deliver devolution at pace in 2025 and 2026.
In her statement to MPs on 5 February, the Deputy Prime Minister highlighted that it would be an "expensive and irresponsible waste of taxpayers' money" if elections take place in May 2025 to a local authority that will not exist in its current form in a few years' time.
What are the benefits of devolution for Hampshire?
Devolution will transfer greater powers and flexibilities from Westminster to the Hampshire and the Solent region, accompanied by additional funding and investment. This shift will enable local authorities to make crucial decisions closer to where residents live and work, driving economic growth, innovation, and productivity.
- Long-term investment fund for the region, with an agreed annual allocation.
- Simplification and consolidation of local transport funding.
- Devolution of non-apprenticeship adult skills functions through a consolidated skills funding pot.
- A central role in convening local youth careers provision, including greater flexibility for careers hubs.
- Devolution of supported employment funding.
- Devolution of wider grant funding to support regeneration and housing delivery.
- A strategic partnership with the Government focused on domestic growth, exports, investment and delivery of local growth priorities.
- Partnership working with Government bodies on culture, heritage, and sport spending.
- Coordinating local energy planning to support development of regional network energy infrastructure.
The Government's devolution white paper contains a summary table of functions that will be devolved to Mayoral areas (see pages 86 to 90).
When will the first Mayoral election take place?
Subject to the approval of the devolution agreement, the first Mayoral election in Hampshire and the Solent is expected to take place in May 2026.
Can I give my views on the proposals for devolution in Hampshire?
The Government has launched a public consultation on devolution in Hampshire and the Solent. The consultation runs for eight weeks from 17 February 2025 to 11:59pm on 13 April 2025.
Hampshire and the Solent devolution consultation: Have your say
What would be the governance arrangements for a new Mayoral Combined County Authority?
The term ‘governance arrangements’ refers to the creation of a new strategic authority that is led by an elected Mayor. The Mayor would be required to appoint a Deputy Mayor from the Constituent Members (see below).
The proposed governance arrangements include the following:
Constituent Councils and Members – the four upper-tier local authorities (Hampshire County Council, Isle of Wight Council, Portsmouth City Council and Southampton City Council) have representation on the Mayoral Combined Authority. Hampshire County Council has two seats on the new Combined County Authority due to the proportion of the area that it is responsible for, the other areas have one seat each. There are five constituent council members in total. District councils cannot be a Constituent member
Non-Constituent and Associate Members – a maximum of five places, representing key partners such as a district council, the local NHS Trust, or the Police and Crime Commissioner.
How will the proposed devolution arrangement support the economy of Hampshire and the Solent?
Communities and businesses don’t structure their lives and operations around local authority administrative boundaries. A Mayoral Combined County Authority would consider the Hampshire and Solent area as a whole, which would help direct funding and projects to be focused in the right places to develop and grow local economies as well as the whole area’s economy. One of the biggest advantages to a Mayoral Combined County Authority for Hampshire and the Solent would be the additional powers and access to devolved funding granted by Government. This means that decisions will be made by local people who understand what the area needs.
The devolved powers and funding include adult education funding, which would help skills and training to be more closely aligned to the skills that local businesses need. - creating a local workforce that can support economic growth, providing more opportunities for local people.
The Mayoral Combined County Authority would also provide a focus on attracting inward investment which would bring new employers and industries to the area.
New transport powers would also enable the Mayoral Combined County Authority to deliver the infrastructure needs (roads, public transport solutions) needed to support the local economy.
See the Government’s English Devolution White Paper for more information on the powers, funding and responsibilities that will be devolved to Mayoral areas.
How will the proposed devolution arrangement help improve social outcomes in Hampshire and the Solent?
Social outcomes from the creation of a Mayoral Combined County Authority could include:
| Suggested new function or benefit from Government's English Devolution White Paper | Example of possible social outcome |
| Devolved Adult Education funding |
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Increased powers relating to Public Transport such as:
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Supporting local economic growth
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| Strategic partnership with the Department of Culture Media and Sport |
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An increased focus on environment and climate change. The Mayoral Combined County Authority will have a role in the Government’s;
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Improving Health and Wellbeing
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Will a Mayoral Combined County Authority improve local government in the Hampshire and Solent area?
A Mayoral Combined County Authority will support greater co-ordination across services provided by local authorities in the Hampshire and Solent area.
A Directly Elected Mayor will also have the ability to improve coordination between local authorities and public, private and voluntary sector partners in Hampshire and the Solent.
How will the proposed devolution arrangement help improve the natural environment in Hampshire and the Solent?
It is proposed that the Mayoral Combined County Authority will have a key role to play in decarbonisation and protecting the natural environment and biodiversity through:
- co-ordinating the zoning of local heat networks
- implementing the Warm Homes Plan
- leading the Local Nature Recovery Strategy
- having increased influence with Government and local partners to drive the low carbon agenda
Local Government Reorganisation
Alongside devolution, the Government plans to replace the current two-tier system of counties and district councils with unitary councils across the country. Each unitary council will have a population of at least 500,000. This re-organisation will also include existing small neighbouring Unitary Authorities.
Hampshire County Council has been asked to work with its local government partners to submit outline proposals for consideration by Government this Spring. Our partners are:
- Portsmouth and Southampton City Councils
- Isle of Wight Council
- Hampshire District and Borough Councils
Final proposals will be submitted in the Autumn. New Unitary Council arrangements are likely to take effect in 2027 or 2028.
What is local government reorganisation?
The UK Government's devolution white paper also sets out plans for county and district councils throughout England to be replaced with a smaller number of new unitary authorities. Neighbouring smaller or failing unitary councils have also been invited to develop proposals for reorganisation.
Unitary councils provide the same services as both county and district councils. The Government envisages that most new unitary councils should be the right size to achieve efficiencies, be financially resilient and improve capacity. The Local Government Minister has requested that new Unitary Councils should aim for a population of 500,000 or more.
What would local government reorganisation mean for Hampshire?
In Hampshire, local government services are currently provided by one county council and 11 district and borough councils.
For example, if you live in Havant, some services such as adults' and children's social care, education, highways and countryside services are the responsibility of Hampshire County Council. Others, such as planning and waste collection, are the responsibility of Havant Borough Council.
Local government reorganisation would completely change the landscape of Hampshire’s local councils by replacing the current two-tier council system and neighbouring Unitary Councils of Southampton, Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight with a number of large new unitary (all-purpose) councils. This change aims to simplify how councils are organised and run, creating large and financially resilient unitary councils that are more efficient, effective and deliver better value for money for taxpayers.
Proposals for local government reorganisation need to be submitted to Government in September 2025.
County, district and borough councils, alongside our neighbouring Unitary Councils, will be replaced by a small number of new unitary councils. Services currently provided by the current councils will transfer to the new unitary councils. For example, if you live in Havant, the services currently provided by Hampshire County Council and Havant Borough Council will be provided by one single unitary council.
Although there are already three unitary councils in our region, Southampton, Portsmouth and Isle of Wight Councils have been asked by the Government to develop proposals to expand their geographic footprint. Council Leaders across Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton are currently in discussions about what local government reorganisation will look like in our region.
The Government has asked for councils to submit final proposals for local government reorganisation by September 2025. Final decisions will then be taken by Government Ministers.
These proposals will be informed by wide engagement with residents, local partners and other stakeholders. Once a proposal has been submitted, it will be for the Government to decide on whether a proposal is taken forward, and to consult on the proposal.
The new unitary councils are expected to become operational from 2027 or 2028.
What the local government landscape could look like in Hampshire after reorganisation
Strategy
Before and after reorganisation.
Strategic Authority
Sets the strategy for the area
Local services
Before reorganisation:
- Hampshire County Council
- 11 District Councils
- Portsmouth City Council
- Isle of Wight Council
- Southampton City Council
- Town and Parish Councils
After reorganisation:
- Unitary authorities
Deliver local services. Unitaries cover a wide range of responsibilities previously held by county and district councils. We don't yet know how many unitaries Hampshire will have. Government expects most new unitaries will serve a population of 500,000 or more.
- Town and Parish Councils
How many councils will there be in Hampshire after reorganisation?
It is not currently known how many councils there will be in Hampshire after reorganisation.
Hampshire County Council will work closely with district and borough councils and Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton Councils in the coming months to develop proposals that meet the criteria for new unitary councils that will be set by the UK Government. Our collective responsibility is to deliver a structure of new Councils that meet the Government's criteria and ensures the best delivery of public services for our residents and communities.
When will proposals for new council boundaries be finalised?
The Government has asked for final proposals for new unitary councils to be submitted in September 2025.
The final decision on the shape of local government reorganisation in Hampshire lies with Government Ministers.
Can I give my views on the proposals for local government reorganisation in my area?
Once final proposals for reorganisation are submitted, the Government will decide how to proceed and launch a consultation. More information will follow.
What are the financial opportunities of devolution and local government reorganisation?
Devolution will deliver financial benefits for our area. For example, through the potential of greater freedoms and flexibilities, investment funding and the ability to raise local taxation or precepts. The Government's devolution white paper contains a summary table of functions that will be devolved to Mayoral areas (see pages 86 to 90).
Hampshire County Council's previous budget consultations have stated that moving to a 'one-tier' system with a single unitary authority that is responsible for all council services could achieve annual savings of at least £40 million. This could be achieved by, for example:
- removing duplication
- having fewer Councillors and senior managers
- reducing back-office functions
- disposing of surplus buildings and equipment
- finding opportunities for economies of scale in purchasing goods and services
It is important to note that neither devolution nor local government reorganisation will stabilise the financial position of the local government sector without wider funding reform. This is something Hampshire County Council has consistently asked the Government for over the past five years.
How will town and parish councils be affected?
Town and parish councils have not been invited by Ministers to reorganise and will therefore not be affected structurally by local government reorganisation.
In its devolution white paper, the Government confirmed that it wants to strengthen the relationship between town and parish councils and the new unitary councils. Further information is awaited from Ministers on these plans.