Glossary
Not sure what terms like local government reorganisation, unitary council or shadow council mean? This page provides straightforward information about local government reorganisation (LGR), including key terms, definitions and explanations, to help you understand this government programme.
For information about how these changes are being implemented in Hampshire, visit the Future Hampshire and What it means for you pages.
What is local government reorganisation (LGR)?
Local government reorganisation is the process by which the structure and responsibilities of local authorities are reconfigured.
In the context of the English Devolution White Paper, local government reorganisation aims to move away from the current two-tier system, where responsibilities are shared between a county council and district or borough councils, to unitary councils, where a single council is responsible for the local government services.
Explore our glossary section to learn more about the key terms related to local government reorganisation (LGR) and associated activities.
Glossary
Two-tier system
A local government structure where responsibilities and council services are shared between a county council and a district or borough council. This is the current system in place for most of Hampshire, except for Portsmouth and Southampton which are already unitary councils.
To understand the current local government structure in place in Hampshire, and how it is changing, visit our “What’s changing: four unitary councils”.
Unitary council
A single council responsible for providing all local government services in one area. In the case of Hampshire, Southampton and Portsmouth City Councils are currently unitary councils. After local government reorganisation, all of the four future councils in place will be unitary. This means that all local services will be delivered by one council in each respective area, rather than being split between a county council and a district or borough council.
To understand the current local government structure in place in Hampshire, and how it is changing, visit our “What’s changing: four unitary councils”.
Shadow council / Shadow authority
The term used to refer to the council made up of elected councillors who will prepare for the launch of the future unitary councils. This council will formally take over the delivery of council services from 1 April 2028.
To find out more, visit our dedicated shadow authority page.
Vesting Day / Day One
The day the future councils start. The legal date when the new councils officially take over responsibility for local government services.
This date is scheduled to be on 1 April 2028.
Current councils
The term we use on this website to refer to the 14 councils being reorganised in Hampshire. This includes Hampshire County Council, Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, East Hampshire District Council, Eastleigh Borough Council, Fareham Borough Council, Gosport Borough Council, Hart District Council, Havant Borough Council, New Forest District Council, Portsmouth City Council, Rushmoor Borough Council, Southampton City Council, Test Valley Borough Council and Winchester City Council.
Parish and town councils are excluded.
Devolution
The transfer of powers and funding from national government to local areas. This is separate to local government reorganisation and delivered through a Combined County Authority.
Combined County Authority
A strategic authority that enables councils to work together on agreed regional priorities, such as transport, skills and economic growth, as part of devolution.
The Combined County Authority for our region is the Hampshire and the Solent Combined County Authority. In May 2028, voting will take place to elect a mayor who will chair and lead the authority.
