East Hampshire District Council (EHDC) and Hampshire County Council (HCC) are entering the final stage of shaping their proposal to central Government on how councils across Hampshire and the Solent could be reorganised to better serve local communities.
Following public and stakeholder engagement held this summer, EHDC's full council will meet on 25 September to consider final proposals for Local Government Reorganisation (LGR). The Cabinet is expected to confirm the final proposal on 26 September, before it is submitted to Government.
The Government has asked councils across England to replace the current two-tier system, where county and district councils deliver separate council services, and instead create unitary councils that deliver all local services. For Hampshire and the Solent area, this would see the County Council, 11 district councils, and the unitary councils of Southampton, Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight replaced with fewer local authorities.
EHDC and HCC’s current proposal recommends creating four new unitary councils: three on the Hampshire and Solent mainland and one for the Isle of Wight. This model is designed to be simpler, stronger and more secure, with local identity and community voice at its heart.
Cllr Richard Millard, Leader of EHDC, said: “By proposing the four-unitary model, we are setting the stage for a stronger, more sustainable, and more responsive system of local government.
“It enables us to safeguard essential services, achieve meaningful savings, and modernise local democracy for future generations.
“Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their thoughts with us. It is essential that residents have a stake in the future of their local councils and your views will help form the final proposals to be discussed by councillors at the end of September.”
Councillor Nick Adams-King, Leader of Hampshire County Council, said: “We’re approaching a key moment in shaping a better future for local government in Hampshire and the Solent.
“I want to thank everyone who took part in our summer engagement. Your feedback is helping to shape a proposal that County Councillors will be considering very soon, before our final choice is submitted to Government later this month. It will then be for Government to decide on which options they formally consult the public - anticipated to be before the end of the year.
“In the meantime, our aim is clear: to protect and improve the vital services people rely on, ensure councils are financially strong for the future, and responsive to local needs.
“By creating councils that are large enough to be efficient, but local enough to stay connected to communities, we can give people a stronger voice in how their area is run. This is about securing a better future for Hampshire and the Solent, and I’m proud of the important and detailed work we have done to get to this point.”
Findings from this summer’s engagement show strong public understanding of the issues around LGR. A total of around 5,000 people and organisations took part in the survey as well as wider engagement activity, with many recognising the potential benefits of reducing 15 councils to four, alongside the potential for better access to services, cost savings, and stronger local identity and representation.
The current proposed model builds aims to:
- Deliver better value for money
- Strengthen local leadership
- Bring services closer to communities
- Save around £50 million each year, helping protect frontline services to those most in need and ensure long-term financial sustainability
- Unlock the area’s potential to innovate and grow the local economy
Findings from this summer’s public and stakeholder engagement are available on Hampshire County Council’s website:
Once EHDC’s and HCC’s preferred option for LGR across Hampshire and the Solent area is submitted on 26 September, the Government is expected to consult the public later this year, with a final decision due in spring 2026.