Government confirms new council to cover Hart

The Government has supported the proposal put forward by Hart District Council to join with Basingstoke and Deane and Rushmoor Borough Councils to form one unitary authority to cover north Hampshire, incorporating Hampshire County Council services.

This means the current two-tier system – where county and district and borough councils share responsibilities – will be replaced and the new unitary authority will deliver all services for its area.

The Government has backed the model put forward by 11 of the councils across Hampshire, including Hart, for four new unitary councils to be created. The Isle of Wight will stay as an independent island unitary council.

The new unitary councils will be:

• North Hampshire Council (current local government areas of Basingstoke and Deane, Hart and Rushmoor
• Mid Hampshire Council (current local government areas of East Hampshire, New Forest, Test Valley and Winchester, less 11 parishes from all 4 areas)
• South East Hampshire Council (current local government areas from East Hampshire, Fareham, Gosport, Havant, Portsmouth, 3 parishes from East Hampshire and 1 parish from Winchester)
• South West Hampshire Council (current local government areas of Eastleigh, 4 parishes from New Forest, Southampton and 3 parishes from Test Valley)
• Isle of Wight Council will remain as a separate unitary authority.

During this process there is no disruption to council services. Hart District Council and Hampshire County Council will continue to deliver services as normal and residents will still be able to access support in the same way.

Elections for the new councils are expected to take place in May 2027, with the new authorities formally taking over on 1 April 2028.

You can read more information about the changes at www.hart.gov.uk/local-government-reorganisation