Hampshire Council Merger Details Unveiled: What to Expect
Hampshire will be reorganised into four mainland unitary councils, the county leader announced today. The Isle of Wight will remain a separate local authority.
Hampshire County Council leader Nick Adams-King revealed the detailed plan. Filmogaz.com understands ministers will make a formal announcement this afternoon.
New council boundaries
South West Hampshire
- Eastleigh
- Southampton
- Waterside parts of the New Forest: Totton and Eling, Marchwood, Hythe and Dibden, and Fawley
- Test Valley areas: Valley Park, Chilworth, Nursling and Rownhams
South East Hampshire
- Fareham
- Gosport
- Havant
- Portsmouth
- East Hampshire parishes: Clanfield, Horndean and Rowlands Castle
- Winchester parish: Newlands
Mid Hampshire
- Remaining parts of the New Forest
- Remaining Test Valley areas
- Parts of Winchester
- Remaining East Hampshire areas
North Hampshire
- Basingstoke and Deane
- Hart
- Rushmoor
Implementation timeline
The new unitary authorities will take over services from April 2028. Shadow authorities will be elected in May next year.
Those shadow bodies will prepare for the handover and set budgets. They will operate until the new councils formally begin.
Local response and process
Officials put forward four different merger options during the review. The proposals followed months of uncertainty and heated debate.
Ministers favoured the option supported by councils in Eastleigh, Fareham, Hart, Havant, Portsmouth and Southampton. The Isle of Wight was the only area with unanimous backing to stay separate.
New Forest District Council strongly opposed splitting its area across two councils. Most councils, however, worked together to press for four mainland unitary authorities in three configurations.
Hampshire County Council and East Hampshire District Council instead argued for a three-authority model. Gosport Borough Council did not engage and skipped the government consultation.
Context and next steps
The reorganisation is part of the Labour government’s drive to end the two-tier structure. Currently, some areas have district and borough councils alongside the county council.
Portsmouth, Southampton and the Isle of Wight already operate as unitary authorities. This plan completes the shift to larger unitary councils across mainland Hampshire.
Filmogaz.com will continue to report on the Hampshire council merger as further details are unveiled. Readers can expect updates on the implementation and local impacts.
