If you’ve been following the local government reorganisation story, you’ll know things are entering an important phase. With proposals due to land on the desks of central government by 26 September, the options for the future of local government in Hampshire are now being finalised.
Reorganisation is not something we asked for, but as the government is mandating change, we’ve been working closely with 12 councils across Hampshire, including the cities of Southampton and Portsmouth, to design how local government could work in the future. Our proposal is to create four new councils on the mainland, with the Isle of Wight continuing as its own authority.
So, what does that mean for us? Well, under this plan, a new Mid Hampshire Council would be formed. Our preferred option to deliver this is a council that covers the areas of New Forest, Test Valley, Winchester, and East Hampshire. Now, I know what you’re thinking: Mid Hampshire isn’t a single place you can point to on a map. But the communities here share a lot in common: towns and villages (not large cities), rural character, similar economies, and a distinct identity from the more urban parts of Hampshire.
Creating a council that reflects those shared commonalities could be a game-changer. It sets the stage for smarter public services, a mayoral authority where the voice of communities like those in the Test Valley will have a strong voice, and importantly, a sustainable future for our communities.
And it’s not just us as local authorities who think that. The recent public survey across Hampshire showed 47% support for the Mid Hampshire option described above, well ahead of the other two options for how we could deliver four mainland authorities. Test Valley residents led the charge with the highest percentage participation rate, and I want to say a big thank you to everyone who took the time to share their views.
But not everyone is of the same view. Hampshire County Council and East Hampshire District Council are exploring a different set of proposals for three mainland authorities that would merge Test Valley with Southampton, Eastleigh, and New Forest. This doesn’t make any sense to people who live locally or to the people who live in Southampton.
Their view is that fewer councils mean lower costs. But our analysis tells a different story. Four unitary councils would not only simplify how things are run but also help us tackle rising costs and growing service demands more effectively by focusing on local needs. With our partners, we have done the research and examined the numbers, and the financial case is robust.
So, what’s next? Once the proposals are submitted in September, the government will review and consult on the final plan. Until then, we’ll keep making the case for a Mid Hampshire council that brings together the areas of Test Valley, New Forest, Winchester, and East Hampshire because we believe it’s the right choice for these communities and beyond in making local government and devolution in Hampshire work. Creating councils that are large enough to succeed but small enough to care.
Cllr. Phil North
Leader of the Test Valley Borough Council
