Portsmouth to consider next steps for Local Government Reorganisation

The 15 councils covering Hampshire and the Isle of Wight have collectively agreed a joint submission based on some guiding principles to inform the next stages of the process.

The interim report does not set a preferred number of new councils or propose any boundaries for new areas. However, it does state that analysis will consider existing economic geographies, principally those around Basingstoke, Winchester, Southampton and Portsmouth. It also requests that the Isle of Wight be recognised as an exceptional case and is permitted by the Government to remain a unitary council on its current boundaries given its unique geography and identity.

As well as the current joint position being submitted to the Government, the report going to Portsmouth’s Full Council and Cabinet also sets out Portsmouth City Council’s view that it is already a sustainable organisation and should not be required to be part of the Government’s local government reorganisation programme which is mainly aimed at two-tier council areas or failing authorities. Additionally, it states the area currently covered by Hampshire County Council, Portsmouth City Council and Southampton City Council should be covered by a minimum of four unitary councils.

All councils across the area have agreed as a principle the importance of people’s sense of local community and identity and that neighbouring councils would work together on public consultation to inform any potential changes.

Cllr Steve Pitt, Leader of Portsmouth City Council, said: “Whilst we don’t agree that Portsmouth City Council should be caught by the Government’s reorganisation plans, it is nonetheless very positive that councils across the region have worked collaboratively to establish guiding principles for how we take this work forward. Everyone wants to get the best outcomes for their areas and it is going to be really important local people’s voices are heard as part of that process”.

“We have significant concerns regarding how this will work and the implications on our communities and what any new councils would inherit, given the eye -watering deficits experienced by other local authorities, notably Hampshire County Council with its £136m forecast deficit for 2026-27”

“I will continue to advocate for Portsmouth’s interests both locally and nationally, and I’ll be writing to the Government to reiterate our belief that Portsmouth City Council does not need to be part of any reorganisation.”

The report going to Full Council and Cabinet and the joint submission can be seen as part of the papers for the 19 March Cabinet meeting.