Test Valley Borough Council has published papers outlining a shared vision for Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) ahead of cabinet and full council meetings on Wednesday 24 September 2025.
Members will consider a joint proposal from 12 of Hampshire’s 15 councils, titled “Close enough to be local, big enough to stay strong.”
The government’s LGR programme would replace the current two-tier system with new unitary councils of about 500,000 residents, each responsible for all local services. The joint proposal recommends creating four new mainland unitary authorities, with the Isle of Wight remaining a separate unitary.
The councils estimate at least £63.9 million in annual savings while keeping authorities “local enough” to understand community needs.
The recommended option for Test Valley would see it join with Winchester, New Forest and East Hampshire. In a July survey, almost half of responding Test Valley residents supported or strongly supported this option.
Option two would group Test Valley, Winchester and East Hampshire, with New Forest joining Southampton. This received under a third support locally.
Option three, backed by 11% of respondents, mirrors option one but would move Nursling and Rownhams, Chilworth and Valley Park into a Southampton and Eastleigh unitary.
Following the meetings, the joint proposal and preferred option are due to be submitted to government on Friday 26 September 2025.
Council leader Councillor Phil North said:
“We know that many of our residents and partners are not particularly enthused by local government reorganisation and we very much share those views.
“However, the government has set us a task that they have made clear is not up for debate and so, with a resolute focus on getting the very best outcome for our residents and collaborating cross-party with colleagues, we have worked with 11 other councils across Hampshire to develop this plan.
“For me, the main prize is securing four mainland councils that are large enough to succeed but small enough to care, whilst keeping Test Valley together…
“The alternative being put by the county council is that we all end up being run from Southampton and I really don’t want that to happen.”
The papers are available at www.testvalley.gov.uk/LGR. You can listen to the meetings from 5.30 pm on 24 September.