Council merger model 'second least popular' in government consultation
The chosen model for council mergers in Hampshire was the second least popular option in a government consultation.
Ministers announced the make-up of local government reorganisation will see four councils on the mainland, with the Isle of Wight left unchanged as a standalone local authority.
The merger will see existing local authorities in New Forest, Test Valley, Winchester and East Hampshire split across new councils, which are due to take over all services in 2028.
This includes putting the EHDC parishes of Horndean, Clanfield and Rowlands Castle in the same council area as Havant instead of with a Winchester-centric council, as well Newlands - also known as Berewood - which geographically sits in Waterlooville but is currently part of Winchester.
However, it is the changes in the New Forest and Test Valley which are thought to have been unpopular.
The local government reorganisation of Hampshire will create four unitary councils on the mainland in the following configuration.
- South West Hampshire: Eastleigh, Southampton, New Forest areas of Totton and Eling, Marchwood, Hythe and Dibden, and Fawley, and Test Valley areas of Valley Park, Chilworth, and Nursling and Rownhams.
- South East Hampshire: Fareham, Gosport, Havant, Portsmouth, East Hampshire areas of Clanfield, Horndean and Rowlands Castle, and Winchester area of Newlands.
- Mid Hampshire: Remaining areas of New Forest, Test Valley, Winchester and East Hampshire.
- North Hampshire: Basingstoke and Deane, Hart and Rushmoor.
A statutory consultation held by the government from November to January received 5,163 responses. This included 47 named consultees, including councils, health bodies, police and fire, education bodies, voluntary and community sector entities, business organisations and national bodies.
There were 4,742 responses from individuals living in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, 219 individuals living outside the county, and 155 other organisations.
Overall, the most popular option with 63 per cent deeming it positive was for four mainland authorities with Eastleigh and Southampton merging; Fareham, Gosport, Havant and Portsmouth joining; East Hampshire, New Forest, Test Valley and Winchester combining; and Basingstoke and Deane, Hart and Rushmoor amalgamating.
This was followed at 32 per cent positivity by another four-authority mainland approach with no boundary changes but a slightly different arrangement with New Forest placed with Eastleigh and Southampton.
The government’s chosen option to split existing district council areas across new councils ranked third receiving 28 per cent positive feedback.
The model for three authorities on the mainland from Hampshire County Council and East Hampshire District Council ranked bottom in the consultation, having been seen as positive by 17 per cent of respondents.