New Forest District Council to consider Local Government Reorganisation report at special meeting
19 March 2025
At our special meeting of Council (6.30pm, Thursday 20 March 2025) councillors will debate the interim plan to government for Local Government Reorganisation.
The government's English Devolution White Paper promotes the creation of mayor-led strategic authorities (devolution) along with local government reorganisation.
The proposals bring about the prospect of changes for local government across England over the next four years, with the intended removal of two-tier local government. For the New Forest district, the two tiers currently are New Forest District Council (NFDC) and Hampshire County Council.
In addition to devolution, the White Paper led to an invitation to local authorities in Hampshire and the Solent for proposals for local government reorganisation.
All council leaders in the region have worked together to develop an interim plan, for submission to government by the 21 March deadline.
We will be asked to advise Cabinet, who will meet the following day (Friday 21 March, 9am) on the report's recommendations, including approving the joint submission to government of the 'Interim Local Government Reorganisation Plan for Hampshire and the Solent'.
In a statement on local government reorganisation (10 March 2025), NFDC Leader, Cllr Jill Cleary, said,
"New Forest District Council firmly believes that any future local government reorganisation must reflect the distinct identity, needs, and aspirations of our communities. The New Forest is a special place with a unique history, strong communities and a focus on the future. We are clear that proposals for local government in our area must build on our strengths, not force us into an artificial structure that does not reflect our local identity."
"If local government reorganisation is unavoidable, I believe the best model for the forest is a rural-focused unitary council, bringing together the New Forest area with mid-Hampshire to form a sustainable and balanced authority that respects our heritage, supports our economy, protects our unique environment and can deliver high-quality local services building on our strengths in partnership working. We will not support any option that splits our historic communities or forces us into an urban-led model."
A link to watch the Council meeting online, live or on playback, and the interim plan, can be viewed on our website.
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