Hampshire County Council
Hampshire County Council (HCC) is the upper-tier local authority for the non-metropolitan county of Hampshire in England. The council was created in 1889. The county council provides county-level services to eleven of the thirteen districts geographically located within the ceremonial county of Hampshire. The county council acts as the upper tier of local government to approximately 1.4 million people. It is one of 21 county councils in England.
Hampshire County Council | |
|---|---|
Depiction of Coat of arms | |
| Type | |
| Type | Non-metropolitan county |
| History | |
| Founded | 1 April 1889 |
| Leadership | |
Carolyn Williamson since 19 July 2021 | |
| Structure | |
| Seats | 78 councillors |
Political groups |
|
Length of term | 4 years |
| Elections | |
| First past the post | |
Last election | 6 May 2021 |
Next election | 1 May 2025 |
| Meeting place | |
| The Castle, Upper High Street, Winchester, SO23 8UJ | |
| Website | |
| www | |
| Constitution | |
| Hampshire County Council - The Constitution | |
Whilst they form part of the ceremonial county of Hampshire, the two cities of Southampton and Portsmouth are unitary authorities, independent from Hampshire County Council. The county council comprises 78 elected councillors, who meet in the city of Winchester, which is the county town.
Since 1997, the council has been controlled by the Conservatives. In May 2022, Rob Humby was elected as leader of the council.
In November 2022, the county council warned it may face bankruptcy within 12 months due to austerity cuts, alongside similar warnings from Kent County Council.