North Hampshire
Basingstoke and Deane, Hart and Rushmoor.
View authorityLocal government reorganisation
Fifteen councils become five. The details matter.
In April 2028, Hampshire’s council map is expected to be redrawn. We track what is decided, what is merely claimed, and who is accountable.
4new mainland unitary councils
1 Apr 2028planned start date
64%rejected the stated boundary-change case
The clearest consultation finding
64% rejected the stated case for changing boundaries. 22% supported it.
The question asked whether Option 1A demonstrated a strong public-service and financial-sustainability justification for moving parish areas. Government selected it anyway.
The consultation was advisory and self-selecting, not a referendum or representative poll. Named consultees were more supportive. The unresolved issue is why government has not published a detailed comparative justification.
Official MHCLG report, Question 10.
See the complete recordYour future bill
Could council tax rise after reorganisation?
Yes—for some residents. The new councils will need to align different local tax levels, but no 2028 rates or household impact figures have been published.
Hampshire County Council says harmonisation may require increases or reductions compared with what people previously paid, usually phased over several years. That means there may be winners and losers.
What we cannot claim: that every bill will rise, how much any household would pay, or which communities would face increases. Those decisions have not been made.
What is known—and still unclearWhat changes
One council where most places currently have two.
County, district and borough responsibilities will be combined into larger unitary councils.
Today, Hampshire County Council runs services including education, highways and social care, while district and borough councils handle services such as planning, housing and waste collection. The new unitary councils would each handle the full range.
Source: Hampshire County Council, “What is Local Government Reorganisation?”
Nothing changes immediately
Existing councils remain responsible for services until the transition is complete. Parish and town councils are not being abolished by this process.
Transport and devolution
One transport authority is emerging. The service promises are not.
Factual report
Regional transport planning will move to the Combined County Authority and become a mayoral responsibility in May 2028.
Government has raised the possibility of area-wide bus franchising and a stronger rail role. Neither amounts to a commitment to cheaper fares, new routes or better services.
Analysis
What changes—and what does not
Powers are not outcomes
The test is whether the new structure produces a funded plan, clear responsibility and measurable improvements for passengers and road users.
The proposed map
Four new mainland authorities
The Isle of Wight remains a separate unitary council. Our primary coverage focuses on the mainland changes.
Mid Hampshire
Most of New Forest, Test Valley, Winchester and East Hampshire.
View authoritySouth West Hampshire
Southampton, Eastleigh and selected New Forest and Test Valley parishes.
View authoritySouth East Hampshire
Portsmouth, Fareham, Gosport, Havant and selected eastern parishes.
View authorityRead claims carefully
What government says—and what remains unproven.
Simpler services
A single council should make responsibility clearer. That does not by itself demonstrate that services will improve.
Financial resilience
Structural savings must be tested against transition costs, inherited debt and continuing social-care pressures.
Why Option 1A?
Option 1A was net-negative on every tested criterion. Government has not published a detailed comparative scorecard.
Consultation figures: MHCLG official response analysis.
New regional authority formally established
The Hampshire and the Solent Combined County Authority now exists in law, ahead of its expected inaugural meeting in July.
Read article64% rejected the stated case for boundary changes
The government selected Option 1A despite a nearly three-to-one negative response to its public-service and financial justification for transferring eleven parish areas.
Read articleThe selected plan was not residents’ preferred option
Government had lawful discretion to weigh more than the public survey, but it owes Hampshire a clearer account of that judgement.
Read article