Consultation on Proposals for Local Government Reorganisation in Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton

Closes 11 Jan 2026

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Consultation on the Proposal from Eastleigh Borough Council, Fareham Borough Council, Hart District Council, Havant Borough Council, Portsmouth City Council, Rushmoor Borough Council and Southampton City Council

Consultation for 5 unitary councils:

  1. North: Basingstoke and Deane, Hart, Rushmoor.
  2. Mid: East Hampshire, New Forest, Test Valley, Winchester, (less 11 parishes from all four areas).
  3. South East: Fareham, Gosport, Havant, Portsmouth, (plus 3 parishes of East Hampshire and 1 parish of Winchester).
  4. South West: Eastleigh, Southampton, (plus 4 parishes from New Forest and 3 parishes from Test Valley).
  5. Isle of Wight: Isle of Wight to remain unchanged.

Please note that this is referred to as Option 1a in their submission. 

This proposal is accompanied by a request for boundary change to split existing districts between new unitary councils. Please answer the questions on the proposal including the modifications. We will also ask you an additional question on whether you think there is a strong justification for these splits.

1. To what extent do you agree or disagree that the proposal suggests councils that are based on sensible geographies and economic areas?
2. To what extent do you agree or disagree that the proposed councils will be able to deliver the outcomes they describe in the proposal?
3. To what extent do you agree or disagree that the proposed councils are the right size to be efficient, improve capacity and withstand financial shocks? 
4. To what extent do you agree or disagree that this proposal will put local government in the area as a whole on a firmer footing, particularly given that some councils in the area are in in receipt of Exceptional Financial Support?

More information

As of 19 November 2025 within the Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton area, Southampton City Council had received in-principle Exceptional Financial Support to support their 2025/26 budget. This council will not necessarily be in receipt of Exceptional Financial Support in future financial years.

5. To what extent do you agree or disagree that the proposed councils will deliver high quality, sustainable public services?
6. To what extent do you agree or disagree that the proposal has been informed by local views and will meet local needs?
7. To what extent do you agree or disagree that establishing the councils in this proposal will support devolution arrangements, for example, the establishment of a strategic authority?
8. To what extent do you agree or disagree that the proposal enables stronger community engagement and gives the opportunity for neighbourhood empowerment?
9. If you would like to, please use the free text box to explain the answers you have provided to questions 1-8 referring to the question numbers as part of your answer. You may also use the box to provide any other comments you have on this proposal.
10. This proposal is accompanied by a request that the Secretary of State considers boundary change. To what extent do you agree or disagree that the proposal sets out a strong public services and financial sustainability justification for boundary change?
11. If you would like to, please use this free text box to explain your answer to question 10.
12. I confirm that I have not included any information that identifies an individual in the free text box.