Future uncertain after councils' shake-up shelved

The withdrawal of government plans to reorganise local government in Hampshire has left council leaders uncertain about the future.

In March, ministers announced plans to blend the county's 14 councils into four unitary authorities from 2028.

On Tuesday, the government withdrew the decision, citing "new legal advice".

Some Hampshire leaders welcomed the news, while others expressed disappointment or criticised the "costly U-turn".

Eastleigh Borough Council leader Keith House said the change of heart was "absolute chaos".

The borough was due to be added to Southampton and slivers of the New Forest and Test Valley to create a new "South West Hampshire" authority.

House, a Liberal Democrat, said the withdrawal of the plan "still fails the big test that Hampshire County Council is broke and won't survive longer than 2028".

The county authority previously started legal action, questioning the financial viability of the proposed new authorities.

Conservative leader Nick Adams-King welcomed the chance to "start again and produce something better".

Another Tory, East Hampshire District Council leader Richard Millard, accused the government of a "costly, chaotic car crash".

He said: "It makes me sick to see how much has been squandered on this opaque, flip-flopping idea."

Most of East Hampshire, the New Forest, Winchester and Test Valley councils were due to be amalgamated to form "Mid Hampshire".

Phil North, who leads Test Valley Borough Council, said it seemed the decision was "just a pause in the process".

"It feels that we have been marched up to the top of the hill, just to be marched back down again," the Conservative added.

Basingstoke and Deane District Council previously welcomed the creation of a "North Hampshire" authority, incorporating Hart and Rushmoor.

Independent leader Paul Harvey said: "It is deeply disappointing the government... has now withdrawn a decision it made only 28 weeks ago."

A Labour leader, Southampton's Sarah Bogle, said it was right for the government to take its time.

Fareham Borough Council said it was awaiting "urgent clarification from government on what this review means for Hampshire".

Portsmouth City Council said it wanted to remain autonomous under any future plans, while New Forest District Council said it would campaign against being divided again.

In her House of Commons statement on Tuesday, Local Government Secretary Angela Rayner said: "I do not take this lightly.

"I recognise the huge amount of work that has already gone into progressing reorganisation in each of these areas, and I am very grateful for it."

She confirmed council elections would go ahead in May 2027 under existing boundaries.

Local government reorganisation is separate to the creation, under devolution plans, of a Hampshire and The Solent regional authority and mayor, with elections due in 2028.