'Biggest shake-up in 50 years' for Hampshire councils

People living in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight are being asked to complete a survey about the future of local government in the two counties.

The plans would see the county and all district and borough councils scrapped and new unitary authorities created, providing all services in the area.

Three options are out to public consultation - all see five new councils created across the two counties.

The biggest difference between the options is what happens to the New Forest area - in one it is partnered with rural councils, in another with Southampton and Eastleigh, and in the third it is split.

Councillor Jill Cleary, leader of New Forest District Council, said she was adamant that option one was the best for the area and sees New Forest partner with Test Valley, Winchester and East Hampshire in a new mid Hampshire council.

"This keeps the forest whole and embraces the rural nature of the communities," she said.

"I feel the other options linking us with an urban environment risks poorer services and bad planning decisions."

Local government reorganisation is part of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight's devolution bid. The area was accepted on the government's priority programme earlier this year.

Alongside the new unitary councils, the counties would have a new combined authority with a mayor.

Councillor Keith House, leader of Eastleigh Borough Council, described it as the biggest shake-up of local council in fifty years and that it was being driven by central government.

"We've been clear we won't back a model that puts short-term savings over local identity or service quality," he said.

"Bigger doesn't always mean better. What matters is that the new councils reflect real places and work for the people who live there."

Leader of Portsmouth City Council, Councillor Steve Pitt, said: "We've said from the beginning that Portsmouth should be left out of the local government reorganisation plans because we already have one council which is financially stable.

"However, we are being forced to present to government plans to reorganise, so it's really important we hear from Portsmouth people, before any options are submitted."

Maps have been published to show the three options - in option three, several parishes from Test Valley, New Forest, Winchester and East Hampshire join with the urban councils.

The public survey is open until midnight on 27 July.

The councils said the short deadline was "because of the need to gather views at pace".

Final proposals for how the councils in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight wish to be reorganised have to be submitted to the government by 28 September, for review.

The new councils would start operating in April 2027.

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