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Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation

In December 2024, the government published the English Devolution White Paper External Hyperlink - Opens in new tab, which sets out plans to reform how local government is structured in England. The programme includes two main initiatives: Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation (LGR).

Please see the timeline and next steps below.

If you would like more information, such as why Hampshire councils are being reorganised, what a unitary authority is, or any other query, see our frequently asked questions below.

03 September 2025

Proposals for four new mainland Hampshire unitary councils to save millions

Creating four new unitary councils for mainland Hampshire to replace the existing 14 councils, with the Isle of Wight remaining an independent island unitary council, would save at least £63.9 million a year - that's the finding of joint work by most of the councils in the county.  Our business case 'Close enough to be local, big enough to stay strong' will be debated at Council meetings on 25 September 2025.  You can read the full business case and supporting appendices by clicking on the links below.

 

 

11 July 2025

Consultation launched: Let's Keep Fareham Together?

All councils in England have been asked by the Government to reorganise. This means that Hampshire County Council and all the District and Borough councils, including Fareham Borough Council, will be replaced over the next few years.

As part of this work, it's been suggested by some that the wards of Locks Heath, Park Gate and Sarisbury could be split from Fareham to join a different Unitary Authority alongside Southampton and Eastleigh. 

Fareham Borough Council has launched a public consultation to gather feedback on this suggestion from those that live in the Borough. The consultation will be live until 8 August and residents can have their say here: https://lets-talk.fareham.gov.uk/consultation/LetsKeepFarehamTogether.

Find out more by reading my press release: Consultation launched: Let's Keep Fareham Together?.

 

30 June 2025

Survey launched - how you can get involved

Twelve of the 15 councils in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, including Fareham Borough Council, are working together to develop proposals for the new councils that will provide all services to their residents in future.

On 30 June the councils launched a survey called 'Our Place Our Future' to gather views to help understand what matters most to people and shape how local councils work in future, so they reflect real places, local identity and culture, priorities, and people. The public consultation will run until midnight on 27 July.  

Have your say on the future of local councils in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight at www.fareham.gov.uk/ourplaceourfuture.

Find out more by reading our press release: Local councils to undertake research ahead of finalising proposals for Local Government Reorganisation.

 

9th May 2025

Interim submission and feedback

We have received a feedback letter from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) in response to the LGR interim submission jointly submitted by 15 councils across Hampshire and the Solent.

Links to both the letter and the interim joint submission are detailed below.

Interim joint submission March 2025
Interim Plan feedback from MHCLG PDF (197 KB)

Frequently asked questions

Devolution
 

In England, devolution is the transfer of powers and funding from national to local government. It is important because it ensures that decisions are made closer to the local people, communities and businesses they affect.
The Devolution Priority Programme (DPP) is for areas that want to move quickly towards devolution. The Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution has said that participants must also have local approval to move forward in a way that makes sense for their region. The DPP is for areas that want to set up a Mayoral Strategic Authority, with the goal of holding the first mayoral elections in May 2026.
Hampshire County Council, Portsmouth City Council, Southampton City Council and Isle of Wight Council jointly requested to be part of the government's Devolution Priority Programme. The Hampshire/Solent bid was accepted by the government on 5 February 2025.

This means work will begin to create a new Strategic Combined Authority led by an elected mayor across the Hampshire and Solent region, and an election for the Mayor will take place in 2026.
A Strategic Authority is the collaboration of two or more authorities who will make collective decisions across council boundaries. Strategic authorities will have an elected Mayor and will be responsible for planning and delivering programs in specific areas, with powers and funding passed down from government departments to the Mayor.
Devolution and local government reorganisation mean there will be more elected mayors in England. Mayors will have a special role, focusing on their devolved powers, while council leaders will continue to manage local services and lead their communities.

Local Government Reorganisation
 

Local government reorganisation means changing how councils are structured by replacing the two-tier system and instead having new, unitary local authorities, which will cover populations of at least 500,000. Each change will be decided individually, including for devolution.
A unitary authority is a single council that handles all local services in an area. It can cover a whole county, part of a county, or a large town or city. Examples include Cornwall Council, Nottingham City Council, and Reading Borough Council. London boroughs are also unitary authorities.
At the moment, Fareham residents receive some services from Fareham Borough Council, such as waste collection and planning, while other services such as highways, education and social care are provided by Hampshire County Council. Under the reorganisation, residents would receive all of these services from one unitary authority.
A final proposal from Hampshire and The Solent area is to be submitted to the government in September this year. Mayoral elections are expected to take place in May 2026, and the government expects the new councils to be in place for April 2027 or April 2028.