Hampshire, New Forest | Posted on April 13th, 2026 | return to news

Hampshire and New Forest to get a new council

Areas such as Ringwood and Fordingbridge will be part of a new council in 2028.

The current system of local government across the New Forest and Hampshire region is about to be shaken up.

Five unitary councils will replace the current 15 county, district, borough and unitary councils that serve Hampshire, Southampton, Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight, according to plans announced by the government on Wednesday 25 March.

This means that instead of having separate county and district councils delivering services, most areas will be served by one council responsible for everything.

Fordingbridge and Ringwood will become part of the new Mid Hampshire Council, which will cover the New Forest, Test Valley, Winchester and East Hampshire. This council will replace New Forest District Council and will come into effect from April 2028.

Kate Ryan, chief executive of New Forest District Council, said: “I know many residents will be wondering what this means for them and the services they rely on. The most important thing to say today is that nothing is changing right now. There are no immediate changes to our services, our staff are still out doing their jobs, and the ways to contact us stay the same. It’s business as usual while in the background we work to create two successful new councils. There is also nothing residents need to do as a result of today’s announcement.

“We will now work with the councils involved to plan how services and responsibilities move into the new arrangements in 2028. As that work develops, we will make sure residents understand what it means for their area and keep you updated along the way.

“It will be two years until the new unitary councils are formed, in the meantime, our staff are still out doing their jobs every day, and it is very much business as usual while we work behind the scenes to help create two successful new councils for the future.”

To keep up to date on local government reorganisation and receive email updates, go to https://www.newforest.gov.uk/emails.