Local government reorganisation and devolution

The government has asked councils to look at how local government is organised, as they believe this will improve services and make better use of public money.

We are part of a group of 12 of the 15 councils in Hampshire who are working together on options for reorganisation.

We want to build on what makes our communities unique – while making services more efficient and future-proof.

The options we are looking at

We’re considering options to replace the current 15 councils in Hampshire with four new unitary councils, plus the Isle of Wight.

The unitary council, which would include Aldershot and Farnborough, would cover north Hampshire. It would replace Rushmoor, Hart and Basingstoke and Deane councils, plus the services currently provided by Hampshire County Council.

We believe this model would allow for councils that are big enough to deliver well, but local enough to understand our communities and their needs. A full meeting of the council on 10 July endorsed this option as our preferred option.

Maps showing the three options

In all three of the options, Rushmoor is part of a new council covering the area of Rushmoor, Hart and Basingstoke and Deane councils.

Having your say

So we could hear from you, we've been running two surveys: one on the option of a north Hampshire council and a wider one looking at the whole of Hampshire. These surveys have now closed and we will use what you told us when we prepare our final submission to the government at the end of September.

Proposals for parish or town councils

Because any new unitary council would be bigger than Rushmoor, we are also considering what, if any, local arrangements could be put in place to make sure residents' voices are heard on local decisions.

This could be new parish councils, town councils or something called neighbourhood area committees. We could also choose to do nothing.

We have a survey that is open until 12 September to get your views on this.

Background to local government reorganisation

The government has said it wants us to explore local government reorganisation in our area. The aim is to simplify the way councils are organised and make them more sustainable.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has wrote a letter to all councils in Hampshire in February, explaining the process in more detail about how we should develop proposals for reorganisation.

A proposal to create new unitary councils across Hampshire and the Solent was given unanimous support by our cabinet on Thursday 20 March when councillors approved an interim plan, prepared by all 15 councils in Hampshire. This was then submitted to the government on Friday 21 March. 

The interim plan sets out the principles which would guide the next stage when decisions would be made on the new council structures and boundaries, including economic geography and sense of place, identity and local connections.

What this means for Rushmoor Borough Council

At the moment nothing is changing for us. We’ll continue to provide the services you receive from us and it is business as usual.

We will continue to update this page as planning progresses.

Devolution in Hampshire – creation of a Mayoral Combined County Authority

In July, the government confirmed its intention to press ahead with the creation of a new Mayoral Combined County Authority for Hampshire and the Solent. 

The changes  would create one large strategic authority for the whole of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, led by an elected mayor. The election for the new mayor is due to take place in May 2026.

This would mean a transfer of powers and funding from national to local government. There would be greater control over important areas for our region, such as:

• Economic growth
• Transport planning
• Infrastructure investment
• Skills development