Overview

• Twelve councils published a joint 206–208 page business case titled “Close enough to be local, big enough to stay strong,” proposing three configurations to replace 14 mainland bodies with four unitary councils while keeping the Isle of Wight standalone.
• The options group mainland areas around Basingstoke, Portsmouth, Southampton and Winchester, including one variant that would split parts of New Forest, Test Valley, East Hampshire and Winchester between new authorities.
• Estimated annual net savings are put at at least £63.9 million with breakeven in 2.2–3.1 years, while Hampshire County Council estimates one-off costs at roughly £80 million for a three-mainland model versus about £132 million for a four-mainland model.
• Local positions diverge: Southampton and Eastleigh back an option merging their areas with parts of New Forest and Test Valley, New Forest and Test Valley leaders prefer a more rural-aligned configuration, and Hampshire County Council with East Hampshire favors a three-mainland model.
• Financial readiness varies across councils, Gosport opposes reorganisation and is outside the 12-council collaboration, the Isle of Wight will debate the plan on 17 September, and the process targets shadow elections in 2027 with new councils going live in 2028.