Text overlay reading 'Close enough to be local, big enough to stay strong' with green corner accents.

A shared vision for councils across
Hampshire and the Isle of Wight

There are currently 15 council across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Some areas have two councils making decisions and providing services, others just one.

The Government wants to simplify this by creating larger councils and reducing the number of councils in England. Each council would be a unitary council, responsible for providing all the services that are sometimes currently provided by two different councils.

11 councils across Hampshire submitted a joint proposal to government as part of Local Government Reorganisation plans in September 2026 to create five new councils in total: built around the four anchor cities and towns in the region - Portsmouth, Southampton, Winchester and Basingstoke, with the Isle of Wight as a separate unitary council, as it is already.

The proposal is for councils that fit the way people live - fewer layers, less confusion, and decisions made closer to home, so services are simpler, stronger, and more responsive to local needs. They would also be large enough to succeed, with the scale and financial sustainability to deliver quality services and invest for the long term.

What’s happening?

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Watch our short film

What is Local Government Reorganisation? And what does it mean for you and your services?

  • A person in a purple jacket and helmet walking a bicycle down a pedestrian street with shops and people on both sides.

    What is Local Government Reorganisation?

    Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) – is a plan to simplify how councils work together. It’s about creating stronger, more joined-up services for people and communities across our region.

    Find out more
  • A view of a historic town with brick buildings, Victorian-style street lamps, and a church tower in the background surrounded by greenery.

    Take part in the Government Consultation

    Take part in the government consultation and have your say on the future councils for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

    Find out more
  • Woman and boy with a wheelchair walking on a shaded forest path, smiling at each other.

    Timeline

    What’s happening and when?

    Find out more

This site has been created and is being promoted on behalf of a group of councils across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. They are working together to support public engagement around Local Government Reorganisation. These councils have jointly submitted the proposal “Close enough to be local, big enough to stay strong” to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).