East Hampshire District Council will next week consider a proposal to simplify local government across Hampshire and the Solent by replacing 15 councils with four new unitary councils.
This change is part of a central government requirement for all ‘two-tier’ council areas across the country to transition to single-tier authorities. Which means that district/borough and county councils would no longer exist – and instead unitary councils would deliver all services (everything from social care and education to bin collections and planning).
EHDC has jointly developed a preferred model with Hampshire County Council and this recommends creating three unitary councils on the Hampshire and the Solent area mainland – with the Isle of Wight remaining as a standalone unitary authority.
The recommended option is for the following unitaries:
- 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 is being recommended as a preferred option following a thorough assessment of the data using robust methodology, which has included extensive research and financial analysis – as well as feedback from residents, public service partners and local government experts.
It is being recommended to councillors on the basis that it offers the best balance of simplicity, stability and savings (the financial analysis says it would save nearly £50million a year after the initial payback period and would have the lowest setup costs). It builds on the strengths of all existing councils, avoids unnecessary disruption of services, for example waste collection and planning, and ensures vital services like social care and education continue without interruption.
Other options considered:
Two other configurations were considered but ruled out following a detailed options appraisal:
- 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 more than a decade to pay for itself and could lead to higher council tax bills or cuts to services like libraries and recycling centres.
Both the three-council and the five-council models 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.
The recommended preferred option proposes a smoother and more secure transition offering better value for money and services that are easier to access for residents.
Cllr 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.”
Cllr 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.”
The preferred option will be considered by EHDC’s Full Council on Thursday 17th July and EHDC’s Cabinet on Friday 18th July. If a preferred option is chosen then 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 considered by councillors in September and then submitted to Government by 26th September.
Please see this link (Item 11) to read the full report which will be considered by councillors