Proposals for Four New Unitary Councils in Hampshire to Save Nearly £64 Million a Year
Twelve councils across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight have jointly unveiled a bold proposal to reshape local government across the region, recommending the creation of four new unitary councils on the mainland in a move that could save at least £63.9 million annually.
The proposal, titled “Close Enough to Be Local, Big Enough to Stay Strong”, was published today and is the result of collaborative work between 12 of the 15 councils in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Under the plans, the Isle of Wight would remain an independent unitary authority, while the mainland would be reorganised into four new councils, each serving approximately 500,000 residents.
Streamlining Local Government
The initiative responds to a call from central government for local authorities to submit proposals for streamlining services and replacing the current two-tier system, which includes Hampshire County Council and 11 district and borough councils. The government has outlined a preference for unitary councils that are large enough to deliver all local services independently but small enough to remain connected to their communities.
The proposed new councils would be grouped around the major centres of Southampton, Portsmouth, Winchester, and Basingstoke. While three different grouping options have been suggested, all are designed to increase efficiency, improve local accountability, and unlock regional economic growth.
The councils involved include:
• Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council
• Eastleigh Borough Council
• Fareham Borough Council
• Hart District Council
• Havant Borough Council
• Isle of Wight Council
• New Forest District Council
• Portsmouth City Council
• Rushmoor Borough Council
• Southampton City Council
• Test Valley Borough Council
• Winchester City Council
“Best of Both Worlds”
In a joint statement, the 12 councils said:
“Unlike other proposals, we believe our approach means the best of both worlds: councils that are big enough to deliver major services and be financially sustainable, but local enough to understand communities so they can tailor services more closely to their needs.
“This is a comprehensive and evidence-based proposal that offers a bold vision for the future of local government in our region, ensuring every voice is heard and every service delivers real value.”
The group emphasised that maintaining the Isle of Wight’s independence is essential due to its unique geography and infrastructure, but stressed that the proposal encourages collaboration and innovation between the mainland councils, the Isle of Wight, and the new regional elected Mayor.
Next Steps
Each council will now meet individually before Friday 26 September, the government’s deadline for submitting reorganisation proposals. Formal approval will be required from each council involved.
Southampton’s Vision
Councillor Alex Winning, Leader of Southampton City Council, backed the proposals, highlighting the advantages for the city and surrounding areas.
“It’s clear that four new councils on the mainland is the best answer for our region to ensure councils are big enough to deliver but small enough to understand local communities.
“Current council boundaries were set in the 1970’s, since then the social and economic landscape of our region has significantly changed. Of the options, I strongly believe that bringing together Southampton, Eastleigh and parts of the Waterside and lower Test Valley, is the best answer for our area. This would create a new council with similar, more urban populations, and build on the strong existing work, travel and public service links between our areas.
“By uniting the port and maritime industries either side of Southampton Water we can also unlock new economic opportunities which will help our region to grow and thrive.”