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Dramatic plan to reorganise Hampshire councils

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On the 5 February, the Secretary of State wrote to Hampshire County Council proposing changes to the council structure as it currently is.

This was after Keir Starmer in 2024 presented plans to reform local government to increase reliability.
The plans stated that the current two tier system would be reformed to a group of unitary councils across Hampshire.

The current two tier system means that Hampshire County Council controls broader areas such as: education, social care, waste disposal, and highways.

Then smaller district and borough councils control local waste, and housing planning.

The”Local Government Reorganisation” proposals mean there will be four individual councils in Hampshire instead of district and borough councils.
These are organised as: “The Mid North” which starts at Basingstoke and finishes at Winchester and covers the western side of Hampshire.
Then follows the “West” which starts at the current Test Valley and finishes in the New Forest (this includes Southampton).
Then the “Southeast” covers Fareham to Havant, including Portsmouth.

Then the Isle of Wight becomes its own district.
According to its timeline on the website the government is expected to hold a public consultation on the new plans in November, and the new structure is expected to start by May 2028.
But what are the actual positives of a system like this, according to their plan?

They state: “Our vision is to achieve a Simpler, Stronger, Secure model of Public Service delivery across the area.”

This aligns with the government’s plans to make councils more transparent and accountable through the single tier service.
Similarly in 2025 the council held a public consultation on devolution, this is the expansion of power to the council to provide independence for the county.



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Police hunt man who threw chair and threatened shoppers

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A man threw a chair and threatened bystanders in the centre of Gosport on Friday.

Police say the man, who was behaving aggressively, threw the chair on the ground and shouted threats at nearby shoppers before running away. No one was injured.

It happened just before noon, outside a Greggs Bakery on the High Street. 

Hampshire Police say the man was white, bald and in his late 40s. He was wearing a baseball cap and a grey hoodie. 

Officers are asking anyone who saw the incident to contact them.

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Police officers injured during anti-migration rally

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Twelve people were arrested after 350 anti-migrant protestors clashed with police overnight in Gosport following reports of a small boat landing in the area.
A small number of officers needed medical treatment following the protests near Walpole car park.
Assistant Chief Constable Simon Dodds said: “Violence and criminal damage have no part in peaceful protest, our position on this has been clear that we will investigate thoroughly and take robust action against anyone responsible.
“Our officers did not deserve to be assaulted as they worked incredibly diligently on Sunday to ensure the safety of everyone in the area.”
Police had banned face coverings and had issued a dispersal order ahead of the protests across Gosport.
Those arrested were held on suspicion of assaulting officers or being drunk and disorderly.
The protest marks an increase in tensions within the UK after protests at Portsmouth, Taunton, Basingstoke and Glasgow in recent months.
Gosport Reform UK councilor Paul Carter told GB News: “If you think about this last night, no one really knew what was happening… I think a lot of people are really worried.”

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Residents warned over closure of recycling centre

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People in Romsey are being warned that the town’s recycling centre will be closing for a month for repairs.

The closure of Casbrook recycling centre will take place from 12 October to 12 November.

The council says that repairs are essential to keep the site safe, after heavy vehicles damaged the tarmac beneath waste containers.

Councillor Kirsty North, Hampshire County Council’s deputy leader, said: “We are investing in essential improvements to preserve the surface of Casbrook HWRC (Bunny Lane) and ensure the facility continues to serve residents safely and effectively for many years to come.

“I thank residents for their patience during these works and confirm that capacity is available at nearby HWRCs to ensure residents that usually use Bunny Lane, can still dispose of their waste during this time.”

Locals have been advised to use alternative centres in Winchester and Eastleigh while the repairs take place.

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