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Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation

In December 2024, the government published the English Devolution White Paper External Hyperlink - Opens in new tab, which sets out plans to reform how local government is structured in England. The programme includes two main initiatives: Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation (LGR). You can find out more about each by reading through the frequently asked questions below.

On 17 February, an online consultation was launched by the government so that residents could have their say on the proposals. The consultation is open until 13 April, and residents can complete the survey here External Hyperlink - Opens in new tab. Further information about the plans can be viewed on the government's website External Hyperlink - Opens in new tab.

Please check this page regularly, as we will add more updates when we receive more information from the government.

 

Devolution
 

In England, devolution is the transfer of powers and funding from national to local government. It is important because it ensures that decisions are made closer to the local people, communities and businesses they affect.
The Devolution Priority Programme (DPP) is for areas that want to move quickly towards devolution. The Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution has said that participants must also have local approval to move forward in a way that makes sense for their region. The DPP is for areas that want to set up a Mayoral Strategic Authority, with the goal of holding the first mayoral elections in May 2026.
Hampshire County Council, Portsmouth City Council, Southampton City Council and Isle of Wight Council jointly requested to be part of the government's Devolution Priority Programme. The Hampshire/Solent bid was accepted by the government on 5 February 2025.

This means work will begin to create a new Strategic Combined Authority led by an elected mayor across the Hampshire and Solent region, and an election for the Mayor will take place in 2026.
A Strategic Authority is the collaboration of two or more authorities who will make collective decisions across council boundaries. Strategic authorities will have an elected Mayor and will be responsible for planning and delivering programs in specific areas, with powers and funding passed down from government departments to the Mayor.
Devolution and local government reorganisation mean there will be more elected mayors in England. Mayors will have a special role, focusing on their devolved powers, while council leaders will continue to manage local services and lead their communities.

 

 

Local Government Reorganisation
 

Local government reorganisation means changing how councils are structured by replacing the two-tier system and instead having new, unitary local authorities, which will cover populations of at least 500,000. Each change will be decided individually, including for devolution.
A unitary authority is a single council that handles all local services in an area. It can cover a whole county, part of a county, or a large town or city. Examples include Cornwall Council, Nottingham City Council, and Reading Borough Council. London boroughs are also unitary authorities.
At the moment, Fareham residents receive some services from Fareham Borough Council, such as waste collection and planning, while other services such as highways, education and social care are provided by Hampshire County Council. Under the reorganisation, residents would receive all of these services from one unitary authority.
A final proposal from Hampshire and The Solent area is to be submitted to the government in September this year. Mayoral elections are expected to take place in May 2026, and the government expects the new councils to be in place for April 2027 or April 2028.

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