Your Questions Answered

  • LGR is a national process that looks at how councils are structured in a local area.

    In places with a county council and separate district/borough councils (a “two-tier” system), the government wants to instead create single-tier unitary councils that run most local services in one organisation.

    The aim of LGR is to reorganise councils so that they have clearer accountability, better join-up of services, and long-term financial sustainability.

  • It can happen in two ways. The first is through invitation by government, where the Secretary of State can invite councils to suggest a new unitary set up – this is usually the way it starts. The second is a joint council proposal where, if all councils in an area agree on a plan, they can send it to the Secretary of State – this is the rarer option because getting them all to agree is harder.

    Further detail:

    • There are two ways in which local government reorganisation (LGR) can take place. The first is instigated by an invitation to make a proposal for unitarisation by the Secretary of State. The procedure for this can be found in sections 1–7 of the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007. It is important to note that while invitations may be issued because an area has unanimously agreed to a reorganisation, unanimous agreement is not a precondition. This is the most common path to LGR.  

    • The second way is where authorities in an area are in agreement about their preferred way forward. In that case, under section 15 of the Cities and Local Government Devolution Act 2016, they can make a proposal to the Secretary of State. It is unusual for all authorities to agree and so this provision is not expected to be extensively used. Source: LGA Devolution and LGR Hub FAQs

  • Devolution means moving power and money from the national government to local councils. Local government reorganisation is about changing the structure of councils.

    Further detail:

    • Devolution is the transfer of powers and funding from national to local government. Local government reorganisation is about how the powers and funding that sit with local government are organised between councils. Source: LGA Devolution and LGR Hub FAQs

  • A unitary authority is a single council that runs all local services in an area.

    Across Hampshire, there is currently a two-tier system of government, where some services are delivered by Hampshire County Council and some are delivered by your district or borough council. A unitary authority delivers all these services in a single council.

  • The Government will make the final decision.

    Councils in Hampshire & the Isle of Wight submitted proposals on 26 September 2025. The Government will review and consult the public before any changes are agreed. If approved, there would be a shadow period to plan the change before any new councils start.

  • Different councils have suggested different ways to group places so that services are sustainable, local identity is respected, and travel-to-work/life patterns make sense.

    This website explains the joint five-unitary approach and signposts to other proposals so residents can compare.

  • Essential services will continue. Staff and budgets will be transferred in a planned way so services keep running.

    Any changes will be phased and clearly communicated. This is standard practice in council reorganisations elsewhere.

  • Design work focuses on neighbourhood-based teams, joint working with the NHS and schools, and prevention. The aim is to keep support local, retain trusted relationships and reduce duplication across organisations. Detailed service design would be developed with partners before any changes start.

  • Collections and local facilities will continue. Over time, new councils may align routes, timetables or opening hours for efficiency and consistency; you would be told well in advance about any changes.

  • Planning services would move into the new council. The new council may keep local planning committees to retain local knowledge - but the detailed set-up would be decided during the shadow period between the government’s decision and the new council taking over. Local Plans would also transfer to the new councils until such a time they are replaced with a new one.

  • Assets owned by councils would transfer to the new authority unless already held by a parish/town council or a trust. The priority is continuity.

  • Council tax is set each year by councils under national rules. Where new councils are created, council tax is usually equalised gradually so that residents in similar properties pay similar amounts across the new area. The exact approach would follow government consultation and legislation.

  • Yes. You would still elect councillors. Ward boundaries and committee arrangements may change, but councils must provide ways for residents to be heard. Parish and town councils remain.

  • When services move to a new council, staff typically transfer, keeping terms and pensions at the point of transfer. The new council would then design structures with staff and trade unions.

  • Creating new councils involves one-off costs (for example, systems and legal/HR), but over time, proposals aim to reduce duplication and modernise services to deliver ongoing savings, while making sure they can still respond to local needs.

    Our financial modelling shows that the new structure will deliver annual recurring savings of at least £63.9 million post-transformation, with payback achieved in around 3 years depending on the option.

  • The Government will consult on the proposals during late 2025/into 2026. If approved, a shadow period would prepare for change. New councils could start from 1 April 2028 (subject to Parliament and confirmed timelines), with local elections aligned to that timetable.

  • You can take part in the government consultation which is live from 19 November 2025

  • 11 councils submitted the joint proposal to government in September:
    Basingstoke and Deane, Eastleigh, Fareham, Hart, Havant, New Forest, Portsmouth, Rushmoor, Southampton, Test Valley, and Winchester.

    Separately, Hampshire County Council and East Hampshire District Council have submitted a proposal too.