Major Shake-up of Local Government in Hart and Hampshire - Have your say
New Mayor for Hampshire and The Solent
In a parallel development, a new Mayoral Combined County Authority will be established to cover the entire Hampshire and the Solent region. A new, directly elected Mayor, with the first election scheduled for May 2026, will lead this strategic body. The Mayor will have powers and funding devolved from central government to oversee major regional issues such as transport, strategic planning, and economic growth.
County Council elections cancelled
Hampshire County Council took the opportunity to postpone elections scheduled for May 2025 because of the reorganisation and, although some sites mention May 2026 as an alternative date, no new firm date for the HCC elections has yet been set.
Exactly what the HCC Conservatives were doing in Spring 2025 that meant they did not have time for elections is far from clear. Through this process the Labour Government has enabled the Conservatives to cling on to power in Hampshire for at least an extra year beyond their 4 year term.
Have Your Say
From everyday services like bin collection and road maintenance, to big-picture decisions, like how education, housing, and social care are run, this could have a big impact on local life. However, before any final decisions are made, residents are being asked for their views. The survey takes about 15 minutes and is open to everyone living in areas covered by Hart, Basingstoke & Deane, and Rushmoor Councils.
Update: Please note this survey is now closed.
Councils will be making their proposals to the Government by September 2025, with changes expected to come into effect between 2027 and 2028. It’s vital that these proposals reflect what local people value most — and that starts with making our voices heard now.
Find out more
For more information about the proposed changes see the Major Local Government Transformation page on this website.