Residents, businesses and community groups across Basingstoke and Deane are being urged to take part in a government consultation on major changes to how local services could be run in the future.
The consultation sets out four options for reorganising councils across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Three of these would see the creation of five new unitary councils, each responsible for all local services in their area. All three include a new North Hampshire unitary council covering Basingstoke and Deane, Hart and Rushmoor, serving 407,500 people.
These options were jointly developed by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council and ten other authorities. Their proposals would create four new councils for mainland Hampshire, centred around Southampton, Portsmouth, Winchester and Basingstoke. The Isle of Wight would remain a standalone unitary council. Under this model, 15 existing councils would be replaced by five, with the government estimating savings of at least £63.9 million a year.
A fourth option, submitted by Hampshire County Council and East Hampshire District Council, proposes four unitary councils in total. In this scenario, Basingstoke and Deane would form part of a larger unitary authority with East Hampshire, Hart, Rushmoor and Winchester, covering a population of 656,000.
Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council Leader Cllr Paul Harvey said the consultation marks an important moment for local democracy.
He said: “This is a real chance to shape how local services are delivered for the people who rely on them every day. It’s vital that residents, businesses and community organisations take part so their voices are heard.
“Alongside 10 other councils across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, we support creating a new council to deliver all services for North Hampshire, as part of four new mainland councils. This would give residents more say, allow services to reflect local needs and support growth in our area.”
The consultation runs until Sunday 11 January 2026. Details are available at the government website. Further information on what reorganisation would mean for Basingstoke and Deane can be found at www.basingstoke.gov.uk/future-councils, and more about the joint proposals at www.closeenoughtobelocal.co.uk.
The reorganisation sits alongside government plans to devolve powers and funding to a new strategic authority, led by an elected Mayor for the wider Hampshire and Isle of Wight area.