The local government reorganisation is going ahead. We note that there are legal challenges being mounted at this time.

 

A reminder of how this will affect us follows.

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The shape of the new council will include the following:

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• Southampton City Council

• Eastleigh Borough Council.

• The NFDC districts / villages of Totton and Eling, Marchwood, Hythe & Dibden & Fawley.

• The Test Valley BC, the wards of Chilworth, Nursling and Rownhams.

 

It is now known, that at the time of writing, there will be a total of 82 elected councillors to represent wards across the new authority. 41 of those councillors will represent the wards in Southampton. SCC are to write to the minister in charge, to challenge the reduction of councillors within the city.

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If those changes are more than enough, let us not forget that everyone gets another vote to cast, for the new mayor. An elected mayor whose authority will include, what is known so far to be: strategic planning, transport, housing plus other services that appear not to have been finalised. They are thought to include social care / services. The procurement and direction of external investment to be made within the authority, is one other interesting element that needs clarification.  

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Recently, the launch of the Hampshire & the Solent Combined County Authority with £1.3bn of funding over 30 years was announced. The thought of both Labour and Liberal getting their hands on this money after their dismal record over recent years of financial mismanagement in the respective councils, fills many people with horror.​ There are still no published, estimated costs for the reorganisation available at the time of writing.

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Recently, the first meeting of the Hampshire and the Solent Combined County Authority (Mayoral Authority)  took place. The new authority brings together Southampton, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, and Portsmouth, we are told, to help unlock investment, support inclusive economic growth and create new opportunities for local people.

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Elected councillors from each party from each council, are taking up a voluntary role of overseeing the transition.

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What is clear, is that this reorganisation is not popular. Those living outside Southampton have made it clear that they do not wish to come under what they see as, 'an extended SCC'. Forming a new authority that is immediately in debt in the region of £1 billion is not the best use of taxpayers’ money.

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However Reform UK Southampton continues' to get ready for the coming challenges ahead. Not to do so, will only let those parties back into power, who have left debt ridden pasts as a legacy to their political ineptitude.

 

Have you thought about becoming a councillor for the new authority? 

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Click here for the candidate application process.

Note: A new window will open.

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10.08.2026

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