Your Councils – A better future: Have your say on simpler, stronger, secure local government in our area

East Hampshire District Council is asking residents to help shape the future of local services across Hampshire and the Solent – making councils simpler, stronger and secure.

Find out more on our LGR page

Councils shape our daily lives, from collecting bins and running schools to helping with housing and providing care. Now, with Government calling for change, EHDC is asking residents to have their say on a bold new plan to make local services easier to access.

The proposed changes would see the current 15 councils across the Hampshire and Solent area replaced by four new unitary councils (three on the mainland, and the Isle of Wight remaining a standalone council) – each responsible for delivering all local services.

This would mean fewer layers of bureaucracy, better value for money, and services that are easier to access for local people and communities.

A vision for the future

The proposed unitary councils would be:

• North and Mid Hampshire (Basingstoke and Deane, East Hampshire, Hart, Rushmoor, Winchester)
• South-West Hampshire and Solent (Eastleigh, New Forest, Southampton, Test Valley)
• South-East Hampshire and Solent (Fareham, Gosport, Havant, Portsmouth)
• Isle of Wight (remaining as a standalone unitary council)

These proposals are based on extensive data analysis, community feedback, and public sector insight – to create a model that is fair, financially sustainable, and fit for the future.

Leader of East Hampshire District Council, Councillor Richard Millard said:

“Local government plays a crucial role in people’s everyday lives, from emptying the bins and educating children right through to protecting our most vulnerable residents.

“That’s why it’s vital that residents, businesses, community groups, sports clubs, councillors and all other stakeholders have their say on shaping how these services are delivered in the future.

“With pressure growing on public finances and the Government urging councils to reinvent themselves, we need a model that delivers excellent services in a way that’s financially sustainable and easier to access. These proposals aim to reduce bureaucracy, deliver excellent value for money and improve service provision.

“This is your chance to help us reshape local government in a way that reflects modern needs while protecting the services you rely on so please tell us what you think.”

Councillor Nick Adams-King, Leader of Hampshire County Council, said: “Government wants all areas of the country to become unitary councils, and we have a duty to secure the best possible future for the people we serve through councils that work efficiently and effectively. Working closely with East Hampshire District Council colleagues, we’ve carefully examined the evidence, listened to local voices, and developed proposals that strike the right balance – protecting local identity, simplifying how local government works while protecting essential services, and ensuring every community is heard.

“These plans would not only make councils easier to access and more responsive but also deliver around £50 million in annual savings – money to help protect vital services, especially for those in greatest need.

“This is a pivotal moment for our area. We want to hear from residents, businesses, communities and organisations we work with across Hampshire and the Solent area.

“Your views will help shape a model of local government that is simpler, stronger, and secure – the best possible design that’s built to last and built for you.”

Why this matters

The proposed changes would:

• Save money – fewer councils, costing less to set up and quicker financial returns
• Protect local identity – councils shaped around real communities across rural and urban areas, empowering local voices
• Deliver better value – proven systems, fairer services, and less duplication or disruption
• Strengthen services – one-stop access, faster help, and joined-up support
• Secure the future – stable finances and long-term savings

How to have your say

Everyone is encouraged to take part in the public engagement process which runs between Monday 21 July and Sunday 17 August 2025.

You can give your views on our ideas for Local Government Reorganisation, including providing suggestions for the name of the new local authorities, by completing the survey.

For a copy of the information or survey in another language or format (e.g. paper, Braille) or if you have any queries, please contact [email protected] or call 0300 555 1375 (calls from a landline will be charged at the local rate. Mobile phone charges may vary.)

Visit our LGR page and have your say

Next steps

The responses and feedback gathered during this public engagement will be carefully analysed and used to shape East Hampshire District Council’s final proposal for local government reorganisation.

This updated proposal will then be considered by EHDC’s Full Council and Cabinet in September 2025. If approved, it will be submitted to central Government which will then review all submissions and carry out its own public consultation before making a final decision on the future structure of local government in our area.

Other ideas

12 other councils in the Hampshire and Solent area are also asking people what they think about their different ideas for how local councils could be run in the future. These will all be sent to the Government later this year, and Ministers will decide which one to take forward.

Hampshire County Council and East Hampshire District Council’s proposal is different. It recommends creating four unitary councils across the area. It has also been developed by looking carefully at the facts and figures and considering what would actually work best for residents in real life. The aim is to come up with a plan that’s fair, makes sense for both towns and countryside, keeps services running smoothly, and uses public money wisely - helping to build a stronger, more sustainable future for everyone.

 

New War Memorial for Langrish and Stroud

Public Consultation
Following the news that St. John The Evangelist Langrish Church is likely to close sometime in 2025 a
decision has been made by the Parochial Church Council to move the WWI & WWII War Memorial
within St. John’s to All Saints East Meon. To compensate for this loss, Langrish Parish Council (LPC)
and Stroud Parish Council (SVP) are considering a New Memorial to honour those who gave their
lives during the First and Second World Wars. There have been representations made to LPC about
the positioning of a new War Memorial as to whether it should be placed on Langrish Green or at the
new Village Hall in Stroud. Both options may require planning permission, but it is hoped that both
options can be funded by grants.

Stroud Parish Council has been consulted about this decision, because at the time the Original
Memorial was placed in St. John’s, Stroud came within the auspices of the Parish of Langrish and as a
result the War Memorial includes residents from Stroud and more oddly Oxenbourne and East
Meon. It should be noted that Stroud Parish Councillors have always attended Armistice Services at
St John’s Langrish on behalf of their Parishioners and are enthusiastic to contribute to a new
Memorial.

Most War Memorials are located outside, eg. Clanfield, East Meon, Petersfield and Steep and have
been designed to withstand English weather. The existing war memorial in St John’s Langrish was
designed and constructed to be housed within a building and is not able to withstand weather and
will deteriorate significantly if placed outside.

It is important that any new Memorial should be placed in a position that is meaningful for both
Langrish and Stroud residents, including Bordean and Ramsdean. The Pros and Cons for each space
are as follows:-

Langrish Green: Langrish has been the traditional home of the War Memorial in The Church. There
is space for a new, stand alone, Stone Memorial to be placed in between the Memorial Trees on
Langrish Green. The Green is owned by Hampshire County Council, but is no longer maintained by
them, instead relying on the goodwill of local people to maintain the space. Maintenance of the
Green cannot be guaranteed by future generations. The cost of this memorial will be around £1,500.

Stroud Village Hall: The SVH has rapidly become a hub for local people and is in regular use by the
WI, The Friends of Langrish and Ramsdean, keep fit classes, and many children and adult par􀆟es. It is
in a safe place with plenty of parking and convenient for everyone. If placed on an outside wall of
SVH, the Memorial would have easy maintenance and be seen by many people, including children
and possibly even used for education by Langrish School. There is plenty of space for many people to
a􀆩end a Remembrance Service and for Tea and Cake afterwards. The cost of this memorial will be
around £600.

Everyone is encouraged to visit both options before making any comments about the position of the
New War Memorial to Sam Marchant the Clerk to both Stroud and Langrish Parish Council at:
[email protected] . Representations can also be made at LPCs next Parish Council meeting is
on 21st July 2025 at The Cow Shed, Barrow Hill Barns, Ramsdean.

Welcome to Langrish Parish Council 

The Parish of Langrish is relatively young, only becoming an Ecclesiastical  Parish with the building of St. John’s Church in 1871 and thereafter a Civil Parish in 1894.  The Parish comprises 3 villages; Bordean, Langrish and Ramsdean. It has always been a predominantly farming community, although recent farm diversification has enabled different businesses to start up.

There is evidence of Bronze and Iron Age occupation on Butser and Barrow Hill in Ramsdean, and subsequently the earliest recorded building Bordean House in 824 AD in the Winchester County Archives and several cottages in The Domesday Book.  The villages benefit from being in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with exceptional views and footpaths and byways to enjoy.

Langrish Parish Council holds 6 meetings a year. All Parishioners are welcome to attend and the agenda for each meeting is available on this website and on the village noticeboards. In addition to the regular meetings, the Langrish Parish Council also hosts an Annual Parish Assembly. Proposed dates for meetings can be found on this website.