Local Government Reorganisation – LGR
On March 25th 2026, the Government announced their decision on the Local Government Reorganisation (LGR).
This will consolidate the 15 existing councils within Hampshire and include changes to the existing boundaries within the current New Forest District Council area.
Angela Rayner announces withdrawal of LGR decisions – 7 September
The Government has announced that the current decision regarding the Local Government Reorganisation, made in March this year, has been withdrawn for Hampshire and surrounding areas.
Angela Rayner announced in Parliament today:
“I have withdrawn the decisions made in March this year for four areas namely Essex, Southend-on-sea and Thurrock, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton and Norfolk and Suffolk. The review will look at the programme as a whole, including the decision that was made for Devon, Plymouth and Torbay.
This is about making the right choices that are right for their local areas.
We are still committed […] to Local Government Reorganisation, but with people.”
Elections will go ahead in May 2027, on existing council boundaries.
“My team will proactively reach out to discuss the implications locally, in detail and my department remains committed to working in partnership with local government both in this immediate period and in the longer term.”
Previous Updates
June 05, 2026
The New Forest District Council have announced that after independent legal advice, they will not be pursuing a judicial review of the government’s local government reorganisation (LGR) decision. The independent advice highlighted significant concerns regarding the likelihood of success of legal action, alongside the financial, resource and practical implications of pursuing a judicial review.
For Further Information, please see the announcement made on their Facebook page, which features a live recording of the cabinet meeting:
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1R4zRrCzzY/
June 09, 2026
Hampshire County Council will consider the matter at a cabinet meeting on 9th June.
For further information on the meeting, please see the agenda:
Agenda for Cabinet on Tuesday 9 June 2026, 2.00 pm | About the Council | Hampshire County Council
June 10, 2026
Following the cabinet meeting on 09 June, Hampshire County Council members have voted to proceed with the next steps to pursue a judicial review, challenging the current Local government Reorganisation plans across Hampshire and the Solent.
The final decision will be made following further advice from the Kings Counsel and the response from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
This decision has been made with the view that the current plans are not financially or practically sustainable and there has not been sufficient justification or supporting evidence for the current restructure.
For further information, please see the Cabinet meeting on June 09 in full.
June 16, 2026
The new organisation which will replace Hampshire County Council has been announced as the Hampshire and the Solent Combined County Authority (HSCCA).
This organisation will bring the leaders from Hampshire County Council, Isle of Wight Council, Portsmouth City Council and Southampton City Council together, to form the board of HSCCA.
A Mayor will be elected to lead the HSCCA from May 2028, for a four-year term.
Local councils will continue to manage day to day services for their respective communities until this responsibly transfers to the new unitary authorities.
Please find further information on the HSCCA Website
August 24, 2026
A new website has been developed to outline the future structure of local councils across Hampshire and provide information on the activities taking place to prepare for the upcoming changes.
The Future Hampshire website will have key documents, resources and updates as well as timescales, future council arrangements and what these changes means for the impacted communities.
Please click below for further information regarding the LGR.
