Local Government Reorganisation
In December 2024, the government published the English Devolution White Paper 
, 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).
LGR has been progressing at pace in Hampshire.
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, scroll down to our frequently asked questions below.
26 September 2025
Business case submitted
Eleven councils across Hampshire, including Fareham, have today submitted a joint business case to Government proposing the creation of four new unitary authorities for mainland Hampshire. The submission, titled "Close enough to be local, big enough to stay strong", sets out a vision for modern, sustainable local government that delivers better services while staying rooted in local communities.
The new structure would see four new councils formed, grouped around the major centres of Southampton, Portsmouth, Winchester and Basingstoke. The Isle of Wight would stay its own island unitary authority, as it currently is. All three proposed options meet the Government's criteria for reorganisation, with an average population size of 500,000, and financial analysis shows that all three options would deliver over £63 million in recurring annual savings, through streamlined services, reduced duplication, and more efficient governance.
Following yesterday's Council meetings, Fareham Borough Council preferred option is 1a.
See the links below to read the submission and supporting appendices. Alternatively you can view the three options that have been proposed.
The Government will consult publicly on the LGR options submitted to them before making its final decision which is expected in the spring of 2026.
25 September 2025
Fareham Borough Council approves option 1a
held two meetings to debate the options for LGR. At the first Council meeting all councillors voted to support the proposed option for Fareham: Option 1A; this decision was subsequently confirmed at a meeting of the Council's Executive.
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 
(197 KB)