"Bitterly disappointing" - Portsmouth forced to take part in 'mega council' shake up with residents' views sought
Bitter disappointment has been expressed in Portsmouth, with the city’s council looking increasingly likely to merge with Gosport, Fareham and Havant.
The Labour government has launched public consultations, asking residents for their views on the proposed reorganisation of local government in England.
The initiative, called Local Government Reorganisation (LGR), aims to replace the current two-tier system, where county and district councils share responsibilities, with larger unitary authorities, such as Portsmouth City Council, which provide all services to populations around 500,000.
Eleven councils across the county are supporting five proposed new authorities spanning Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Under these plans, Portsmouth could merge with Fareham, Gosport and Havant, along with the Horndean and Clanfield areas which currently fall in East Hampshire and Newlands in Waterlooville which currently sits in the Winchester district.
Councillor Paul Harvey, leader of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, speaking on behalf of the group of councils, said: “Our message is clear that we want councils close enough to communities to maintain connection and big enough to deliver all services.
“Our proposal has the support of eleven local authorities in Hampshire and it is focused on our economic geographies that make most sense to the way residents live and work.”
Proponents of LGR argue that it would make local government more efficient, cost-effective and reduce service duplication.
However, PCC’s Liberal Democrat administration has long opposed LGR, arguing that Portsmouth is financially sound and should not be included in the reforms. The council formally requested that the government exclude Portsmouth from LGR, but this was rejected.
Cllr Steve Pitt, Leader of Portsmouth City Council, said: “It is bitterly disappointing our request that the Government leave Portsmouth alone has been ignored and we are being forced to be a part of Local Government Reorganisation.
“With the decision taken out of our hands it is now about getting the best outcome for Portsmouth residents, and from the available options the council firmly believes that is a future with five new unitary councils for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
“The proposal we support is option 1A, which would see Portsmouth join Gosport, Fareham and Havant as one new, single unitary council delivering all council services for around 500,000 residents.
“This option would see some boundaries modified to include additional areas bordering Havant, reflecting local community ties.
“Portsmouth residents have a chance to have a voice in how their services will be delivered in future by taking part in the Government’s consultation and I urge everyone to have their say.”
Gosport Borough Council has also been long-opposed to the plans.
What has been proposed?
Eastleigh Borough Council, Fareham Borough Council, Hart District Council, Havant Borough Council, Portsmouth City Council, Rushmoor Borough Council and Southampton City Council had worked together to propose five unitary councils across the whole of the area of Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton.
This includes a request to split some existing district council areas between the proposed new councils. These would comprise the current areas of:
- North: Basingstoke and Deane, Hart, Rushmoor
- Mid: East Hampshire, New Forest, Test Valley, Winchester, (less 11 parishes from all 4 areas)
- South East: Fareham, Gosport, Havant, Portsmouth, (plus 3 parishes of East Hampshire and 1 parish of Winchester)
- South West: Eastleigh, Southampton plus 4 parishes from New Forest and 3 parishes from Test Valley
- Isle of Wight: Isle of Wight to remain unchanged
Hampshire County Council and East Hampshire District Council worked together on slightly different proposals with fewer councils.
These would comprise the current areas of:
- Mid-North unitary authority: Basingstoke and Deane, East Hampshire, Hart, Rushmoor, Winchester
- West unitary authority: Eastleigh, New Forest, Southampton, Test Valley
- South-East unitary authority: Fareham, Gosport, Havant, Portsmouth (but without the areas south of Butser and Newlands)
- Isle of Wight unitary authority: remaining as a standalone unitary council
The government’s LGR consultation will run for seven weeks, closing on Sunday, 11 January 2026 with a decision expected from ministers by March next year.
The consultation can be viewed online at consult.communities.gov.uk/local-government-reorganisation/hampshire-isle-of-wight-portsmouth-southampton/