Beaulieu is a picturesque New Forest village with around 750 residents, set on the side of the Beaulieu River. It has just over 500 dwellings in a rural setting of over 9,900 acres, which includes almost 3,000 acres of arable land and 2,350 acres of permanent grass and 2,700 acres of woods and plantations.
Welcome to the Parish of Beaulieu
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Beaulieu Parish Council meeting - Thursday 18 Septermber 2025 at 6.30pm.
The next Beaulieu Parish Council meeting is on Thursday 18 Septermber 2025 in the Village Hall starting at 6.30pm.
Click here for Calling Notice and Agenda
Local Government Reorganisation (LGR)
As previously reported on our website, the government has asked the 15 councils in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight to suggest ways to reorganise local government by creating a small number of Unitary Authorities, which will replace Hampshire County Council and all of Hampshire's district councils, including NFDC.
Beaulieu Parish Council issued an update last month confirming that the only LGR option it considers to be in the best interest of Beaulieu and the New Forest is the NFDC's "Mid-Hampshire" Option 1, which combines 4 rural council districts, including NFDC, into a single Unitary Authority. We do not consider that HCC's preferred Option B2, which merges the New Forest and Test Valley with the urban areas of Southampton and Eastleigh into a new Unitary Authority, is in our community's best interest.
The parish council has explained its position, which has not changed, in more detail in a letter sent to HCC and NFDC yesterday. Please click here for the Letter to HCC and NFDC.
HCC is currently undertaking a survey, due to close on Sunday 17th August and we encourage everyone to respond to express your views. Please click here to participate.
Issued: 5 August 2025
Beaulieu Parish Council annouces its preference on Local Government Reorganisation
The Government has asked the 15 councils in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight to suggest ways to reorganise local government by creating a small number of Unitary Authorities, each responsible for at least 500,000 residents, taking over all local services. This would replace the current two-tier system, where county and district councils handle different responsibilities. These 15 councils must submit their proposals by 26 September 2025.
The options being considered specifically for the New Forest are:
(i) New Forest and Test Valley (predominantly rural communities) are joined with Southampton and Eastleigh (predominantly urban/city communities). This option is preferred by HCC, and they refer to this as their Option B2.
(ii) New Forest, Test Valley, Winchester and East Hampshire form a predominantly rural Unitary Authority. This option is preferred by NFDC and they refer to this as their Option 1.
(iii) The New Forest is split with the more industrial and maritime parts, including Waterside and Fawley, being merged with Southampton and Eastleigh, and the remainder of the New Forest (including Beaulieu) following Option 2. This is referred to by NFDC as Option 3, and is not supported by either NFDC or HCC.
There are 2 surveys currently being undertaken:
- Click here for a survey issued by a group of 12 of the 15 councils in Hampshire (closing date 27 July)
- Click here for the HCC survey (closing date 17thAugust)
Although participation in these surveys may require a small time commitment, Beaulieu Parish Council strongly encourages residents to contribute your feedback on both surveys.
The Beaulieu Parish Council launched its own poll through a number of local community platforms and received 93 responses, 99% of which preferred the rurally-based NFDC preferred Option 1.
At its last meeting the Beaulieu Parish Council reviewed these results and discussed the options with Cllr. Keith Mans (HCC) and Cllr. Dan Poole (NFDC). After due consideration, the parish council recorded that in its opinion the needs of the Parish of Beaulieu would best be met with the rurally-based NFDC preferred Option 1.
The council also recorded its concern about the speed at which Central Government is proceeding with these major changes and also that the large size of the proposed Unitary Authorities risks making decision-making too remote from our small rural community.
Governance
The parish council's Standing Orders and Policies set out the how it operates. Its financial dealings are managed under its Financial Regulations and its approved annual budget, which also sets the annual Precept for the year. NFDC pays our Precept in two instalments during the year and then includes this in its Council Tax charge. The 2024/25 Precept was £19,036, which has been increased by 2.3% to £19,469 for 2025/26. The detail behind this charge is set out in the approved 2025/26 budget.
The parish council's activities last year were reported in its 2024 Annual Review.
Parish Council Casual Vacancy
We have a casual vacancy on the Beaulieu Parish Council. This is an excellent opportunity to represent the views of the parish, to contribute to the work of the council by suggesting ideas, influencing policies and responding to the needs and views of the community. Please call Nick Hubbard (Council Chair on 01590 612408) or Nick Deering (Council Clerk on 07825 309333) if you would like to discuss this opportunity, Alternatively please click here BPC Casual Vacancy Application for more information including an Application Form.
