This comes as part of the government’s Devolution White Paper, which outlines plans for changes to the structure of local government.
The government has emphasised its goal to create simpler and more efficient structures for local government.
By autumn 2025, they expect proposals for Local Government Reorganisation where unitary councils with populations of around 500,000 sit between new mayoral strategic authorities and town and parish councils.
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Cllr Jill Clearly, leader of New Forest District Council, has raised concerns over devolution plans (Image: New Forest District Council) For New Forest District Council, which serves an area of around 180,000 residents, this would mean joining with neighbouring authorities to form a new, larger council.
While some councillors are sharing their own perspectives on how new council boundaries could be drawn, no formal proposals have been made, and no decisions have been reached.
Multiple options for Hampshire will likely need to be considered to ensure suitable outcomes for all local authorities and residents involved.
Cllr Jill Clearly, leader of New Forest District Council, said: “We would not willingly want to see an end to a council that we are proud of and we know that our residents value.
“However it is important that as the government has made its intentions clear, we do engage in the process to ensure that we deliver the best outcome possible for New Forest residents and businesses within this devolution framework.
“New Forest District Council supports the view that local democracy is important and that consultation with residents on such a fundamental change is vital.”
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In Hampshire, the decision to proceed with the Devolution Priority Programme sits with Hampshire County Council and the three unitary authorities (Southampton, Portsmouth, and the Isle of Wight).
These authorities have until Friday, January 10 to inform the government of their decision on whether to move forward.
Under the government’s proposals, all areas are expected to have a strategic authority, and it is likely this would apply to the whole of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
This would also be likely to include the role of a mayor and would operate along the lines of current mayoral combined authorities in Manchester and the West Midlands.
The timeline for decision-making and implementation has yet to be confirmed, but this will become clearer in due course.
The government has said that consultation will be part of the process and that they will be leading this.