The Government plans to replace the current two-tier council system (county + district/city/borough) with larger unitary authorities serving at least 500,000 people.

What will a unitary authority do?

It will combine the responsibilities of:

• Hampshire County Council (HCC): Schools, social care, roads, waste management

• City/district/borough councils - e.g., Winchester City Council (WCC): Household bins, social housing, planning

Two proposals in development

1. Hampshire County Council & East Hampshire District Council

• Proposal expected 18^th July 2025, with a separate survey to follow

• No boundary changes expected – Whiteley stays with the unitary that includes Winchester District

2. Winchester City Council & 11 Other Councils

• Public survey open until 27^th July 2025 https://ourplaceourfuture.commonplace.is

  Three options:

• Options 1 & 2: Whiteley stays with Winchester District (WCC) (no boundary change)

• Option 3: Whiteley moves to a new authority centred on Portsmouth (which will include Fareham, Gosport, and Havant, and has no town and parish councils) 

Whiteley Town Council’s View

• Whiteley is uniquely located in central Hampshire with easy access to Winchester, Southampton, Eastleigh, and Portsmouth

• Whiteley is a self-sufficient town with a thriving business park, shopping centre, junior schools, and a new secondary school opening in 2027

• Whiteley is growing rapidly: 2,000 homes have been added to the 1,200 originally within the Town Council’s boundary, with a further 2,000 under construction/planned

• The new community, recreation and sports facilities, along with green spaces, will be managed by the Town Council

• Whiteley identifies more with central Hampshire: Winchester and its southern parishes, than with urban Portsmouth

Whiteley Town Council wishes to be within a unitary authority that includes Winchester District, where its identity and governance are respected and understood.

What are your views?

Whiteley Town Council survey