The Borough of Fareham is a local government district with borough status in Hampshire, England. Its council is based in Fareham. Other places within the borough include Portchester, Hill Head, Sarisbury, Stubbington, Titchfield and Warsash. The borough covers much of the semi-urban area between the cities of Southampton and Portsmouth, and is part of the South Hampshire conurbation. The neighbouring districts are Eastleigh, Winchester, Portsmouth and Gosport. The district's southern boundary is the coast of the Solent.
History The town of Fareham was governed by a local board of health from 1849. Such local boards were reconstituted as urban district councils in 1894. The parish and urban district of Fareham was significantly enlarged in 1932 when the neighbouring parishes of Crofton, Hook with Warsash, Portchester, Sarisbury and Titchfield were abolished.
Fareham Urban District was reconstituted as a non-metropolitan district on 1 April 1974 under the Local Government Act 1972. The reformed district was awarded borough status at the same time, allowing the chair of the council to take the title of mayor.
In March 2026, the government announced that it would abolish the borough in 2028 as part of local government reform across Hampshire. These proposals were withdrawn in September 2026.
Governance
Fareham Borough Council provides district-level services. County-level services are provided by Hampshire County Council. There are no civil parishes in the borough, which is an unparished area.
Political control The council has been under Conservative majority control since 1999.
Political control of the council since 1974 has been as follows: (Put "Fareham" in search box to see specific results.) Party in control Years 1974–1976 1976–1986 1986–1987 1987–1994 1994–1999 1999–2026
Leadership The role of mayor is largely ceremonial in Fareham. Political leadership is provided by the leader of the council. The leaders since 1995 have been:
Councillor Party From To Roger Price 1995 1999 Seán Woodward 1999 May 2024 Simon Martin 16 May 2024
Composition Following the 2024 election and subsequent changes of allegiance up to July 2026, the composition of the council was:
Premises The council is based at the Civic Offices on Civic Way in the centre of Fareham. The building was purpose-built for the council, being completed in 1975.
Elections
Since the last boundary changes in 2024 the council has comprised 32 councillors representing 16 wards, with each ward electing two councillors. Elections are held in alternate years, with half the council (one councillor for each ward) elected each time to serve a four-year term of office.
Freedom of the Borough The following people and military units have received the Freedom of the Borough of Fareham.
Military Units , RN: 2 July 1974.
See also List of places of worship in the Borough of Fareham
References
External links Fareham Borough Council