Local government reorganisation in Hampshire and west Berkshire 'paused'
The government says it's because of legal advice and a review on the way forward
Last updated 8th Sep 2026
Decisions on flagship local government reorganisation have been withdrawn as the Government launches a review of the plans following new legal advice.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) said the review is to ensure the process is robust and aligns with the new Government’s aim to “rewire the state”, and follows “updated and privileged legal advice”.
At least eight councils have launched legal challenges or were considering to do so due to opposition to the Government’s choice of footprints for new councils.
Plans for reorganisation in Essex, Hampshire, Norfolk and Suffolk have been withdrawn in the light of new legal advice.
Decisions on 14 further areas will be reviewed and paused including the west Berkshire council merger with two Oxfordshire councils.
The Government will also confirm that local elections in May 2027 will go ahead on existing council boundaries, saying it remains committed to effective and sustainable local government and simplifying these structures.
Devolve
Communities Secretary Angela Rayner said: “As we are now more determined than ever to devolve power closer to the people we represent, it’s only right that as a new Secretary of State I make sure that everything we do is working towards that plan to change Britain, without delay.
“The Prime Minister told the House last week he was ‘prepared to look at local government reorganisation’ and he asked me as his Communities Secretary to ‘do that’.
“In that context, in light of legal advice, I want to satisfy myself firstly that the right process is in place, that it is robust, and of course complies with the law.
“And, secondly, I want to fully test whether our proposals for local government reorganisation meet the priorities of a new administration and a new Prime Minister, and any additional considerations.
“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.”
MHCLG said reorganisation in Surrey will not be affected by the review and the two new unitary authorities, East and West Surrey, will go live in April 2027.
Reaction - Hampshire county council
Hampshire County Council leader Cllr Nick Adams-King welcomed the announcement, saying it proved the authority was right to challenge the previous process.
He said: “This is the right decision and, frankly, it demonstrates exactly why Hampshire County Council was right to challenge the previous process.”
Cllr Adams-King said the council had never been trying to protect the current system but wanted to make sure a major restructure affecting more than two million people was properly planned.
He said: “Local government can and should change. It was about making sure that a once-in-a-generation reorganisation was lawful, properly evidenced and capable of standing the test of time.”
He added that the Government now had the chance to bring councils back together and develop a plan that was “properly costed and financially sustainable”.
Cllr Adams-King also warned that getting the restructure wrong could have cost residents “tens or even hundreds of millions of pounds” and affected frontline services.
He added: “Today’s announcement gives us the opportunity to start again and produce something better. Hampshire County Council will engage constructively with the Government in doing exactly that.”
Reaction - West Berkshire council
Councillor Jeff Brooks, the Leader for West Berkshire Council, said:
“It’s disappointing to have received this information at such short notice. We will be seeking further clarity from the government, including what this means for local elections in May, and how this will affect the Local Government Reorganisation timeline in our area. We hope the government will provide the detail required urgently given the impact this announcement may have on our local area.
“Considerable work has taken place already to prepare communities for LGR in Oxfordshire and West Berkshire along the lines of the government’s announcement in July. The three-council model is a positive step for Oxfordshire and West Berkshire with benefits for our residents, and the services they receive. For us here in West Berkshire that means joining a new Ridgeway Council providing stronger, more sustainable local services by bringing decision-making, resources and expertise together across a wider area while maintaining a focus on the communities we serve.”
Reaction - Basingstoke & Deane Borough council
Responding to the news, the Leader of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council Cllr Paul Harvey said: "It is deeply disappointing the government has decided to withdraw its decision for local government reorganisation in Hampshire. Having asked councils and communities to invest time and effort in planning for significant change, it has now withdrawn a decision it made only 28 weeks ago. There is no excuse for the government’s mishandling of this process.
"This announcement came without warning and we will carefully review the detail of the ministerial statement as we seek answers on what this means for the future of local councils.
"We believe in our proposal for North Hampshire because it gets the balance right. Close enough to be connected to our communities, but large enough to stay strong. Any proposal for a larger council covering more of Hampshire would be wrong for our area.
"While Hampshire County Council continues to face serious financial challenges that threaten further cuts to local services, our focus will remain on protecting high-quality services for residents and securing a future council capable of delivering the modern, sustainable services that residents deserve. We will continue to stand up for our communities."
Reaction - Test Valley Borough council
Leader of Test Valley Borough Council, Councillor Phil North, has issued this statement in response:
"We have been notified this afternoon that central government will be reviewing local government reorganisation (LGR) across the country, and in our area has formally withdrawn the decision for Hampshire and the Solent. Local government reorganisation was never a path that we chose to walk down, but having been directed by the government, we have always sought to secure the very best outcome for the residents of Test Valley. It is frustrating that it feels that we have been marched up to the top of the hill, just to be marched back down again. Though it seems at this point that this is just a pause in the process. More positively though, this will give us more time to deliver on our ambitious plans for our communities, including the next phases of town centre regeneration in both Andover and Romsey.
"Whatever comes next, our commitment to securing the very best outcome for Test Valley residents remains. If LGR is to continue, that means creating a new authority where Test Valley communities are not dominated by a large urban area. Whilst at the same time putting people and communities at the heart of public services.
"The government's review is also another chance to lobby for all our Test Valley communities to remain together, including those in Chilworth, Nursling, Rownhams and Valley Park, which the government had previously decided to put in a new urban-centric South-West authority.”