East Hants District Council

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Big news from East Hampshire District Council

Can we meet East Hampshire’s energy needs with locally generated renewable energy?

Find answers to this question and more at Our Future Energy Landscape events across East Hampshire.

Our Future Energy Landscape header

Join Energise South Downs for five exciting workshops across East Hampshire, exploring how we can power our communities using locally generated renewable energy sources.

The events will take place in:

Petersfield 7pm-9.30pm Wednesday 8 May (Petersfield Festival Hall)
Alton 7pm-9.30pm Wednesday 15 May (Alton Community Centre)
Liss 7pm-9.30pm Tuesday 19 June (Liss Village Hall)
Horndean 7pm-9.30pm Wednesday 26 June (Merchistoun Hall)
Clanfield – 7pm-9.30pm Monday 30 September (Clanfield Memorial Hall)

Drawing on data and research attendees will explore what might be feasible and create space for an informed, balanced conversation about what communities feel is acceptable.

We have supported these events through our Councillor Community Grant Scheme, which is open now for applications. It is also supported by the South Downs National Park Authority.

Cllr Robert Mocatta, EHDC portfolio holder for Regeneration and Place (which includes climate change), said:

“We’re committed to enabling greener communities in the district, and I’m pleased that we have been able to support these events.

“They’re an opportunity for local people to input into what they believe is feasible in their area.”

See https://esd.energy/events/future-energy-landscapes/ for more information, venues and to book a free place

Book now!

Big news from East Hampshire District Council

Horndean Men’s Shed launches on 25 April

Local men are encouraged to join the inaugural meeting of the Horndean Men’s Shed at 7.25pm on Thursday 25 April at Horndean Technology College.

Register your interest

Horndean Men's Shed flyer - information duplicated in release

We’ve joined forces with Horndean Technology College to arrange a meeting aimed at setting up a Men’s Shed in Horndean.

This initial meeting will be used to gauge interest in the local area and think about the sort of things the shed will get involved in.

The open meeting will take place at Horndean Technology College on Thursday 25 April, meeting at the main reception at 7.25pm for a tour of the proposed facilities followed by a discussion and refreshments.

The Men's Shed concept started in 1999 in Australia and has grown to be worldwide by 2020 there were around 2000 registered sheds! Sheds bring health benefits by encouraging physical and mental activity, and improved wellbeing by providing an enjoyable way to stay socially integrated in local communities, by being creative, and learning or passing on skills.

Councillor Adeel Shah, East Hampshire District Council portfolio holder for Community Development and Engagement, said:

“Men’s sheds have proved to be a great opportunity for men to meet, share skills and work on projects together.

“There are sheds already set up around the district and I’m sure Horndean will be a great addition.”

If you are interested in coming along please email gwen.woodruffe@horndeantc.hants.sch.uk or lisa.clements@easthants.gov.uk so we can keep track of how many potential shedders to expect.

Big news from East Hampshire District Council

We’re changing how we work for you

Penns Place closing down, more services to be delivered digitally

We’re changing the way we work to make our services easier for people to use.

Our customer information shows that customers want services they can easily access when and where they want.

As a result, we’ve reshaped our services behind the scenes to make them streamlined and efficient and we are improving the way residents can reach us to make it simple and straightforward.

Already most of our customers expect to access our services online. That way they can get what they want, when they want it.

In fact, only around three per cent of customer enquiries come through the council’s reception at Penns Place.

So from 2 April we will be closing our reception at Penns Place and focusing on providing our services digitally, to support our residents in a more convenient and forward-thinking way.

We are creating a network of access points around the district where residents can speak directly to council officers through a live link-up. Using this network, residents will be able to receive the support and assistance they need to conduct their business with the council.

If customers are unable to access our services digitally, they can contact us via the telephone on 01730 266551 where one of our team will be available to help directly or arrange an appointment for a face-to-face meeting if appropriate.

A handful of our customers still pay for services using cash. We have contacted these customers direct and set up alternative means of payment.

Cllr Richard Millard, EHDC Leader, said: “This way of delivering our services to residents is leaner, more efficient and conforms with what our residents expect of us and how the vast majority of them already contact us.

“By focusing on providing services online we can make life easier for residents that are comfortable using digital technology and still support the very few who cannot.

“Removing our reception from Penns Place will mean the council no longer is tied to an expensive and out-dated facility that is rarely used.”

For more information on how residents can reach us, go to www.easthants.gov.uk.

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Big news from East Hampshire District Council

Giving apprentices a head start

Our scheme makes it easy for employers to take on apprentices

Nik apprentice

From plumbers to IT specialists - we’re giving young people the support they need to launch their careers through apprenticeships.

Our ‘Get East Hants Working’ apprenticeship scheme provides funding for wages, travel and training to make it easier than ever for local businesses to take on apprentices.

Since the scheme launched in 2013 the council has supported more than 75 young people, giving them the chance to learn on the job, get experience of the workplace and study for valuable qualifications.

Nik (20) is an apprentice at Smallworld IT, in Whitehill & Bordon, who has been supported by our scheme.

He said: “I did not have any previous experience of employment and this made it very difficult to get accepted for any more ambitious job roles.

“The primary reason behind me taking an apprenticeship position was the fact that I saw it as an opportunity to get a position that offered the space for growth, and that I was more likely to be accepted for. Currently, I am finding the role to be surpassing those expectations, as it allows not only for growth, both as a person and as an employee, but also allows me to experience employment with a level of responsibility and opportunity that would usually take years to accumulate.”

Julian Small, of Smallworld IT, said: “In his role as Apprentice IT Support Technician, Nik continues to develop his skills and provides great value to Smallworld IT.

"One of the great benefits of the apprenticeship is that Nik gets paid to learn on the job. Each day Nik gets to work on some amazing things with the team, including Cyber Security, Microsoft 365 Business products and assisting our customers with their IT support requests.

"Since 2015 Smallworld has employed apprentices under the scheme. Apprentices have always been a valuable part of our professional services team and have gone on to achieve great things within the company. I wouldn’t have any hesitation in employing more apprentices if I could.”

Find out more about our apprenticeship scheme

Harry 2

Our apprenticeship scheme supports all sectors of industry. Currently, another apprentice, Harry, is learning his trade with Southern Plumbing and Heating which has used the scheme to successfully bring through young people in the past.

Cllr Robert Mocatta, EHDC’s Portfolio Holder for Regeneration and Prosperity, said: “This week is Apprenticeship Week, so it is a great time to remember the fantastic opportunities apprenticeships offer people in a wide variety of industries across East Hampshire.

“Whether it’s getting young people on the first step of the ladder or helping older people start a new career, an apprenticeship is an excellent way to give people the chance to learn their trade.

“By giving real life workplace experience alongside any necessary qualifications it combines the best of both worlds, and I am proud we have been able to help so many people through this brilliant scheme.”

How does the scheme work?

Funding is available from East Hampshire District Council, to subsidise wages and contribute towards transport and training for apprentices joining businesses in East Hampshire District.

Businesses of all sizes are eligible for the scheme. In particular, we encourage applications from small and medium sized businesses. Priority will be given to new applications.

To be eligible for the scheme businesses must:

have a physical address in East Hampshire
pay business rates to East Hampshire district council
offer a minimum of 30 hours per week
contribute towards the wages
employ apprentices who live within East Hampshire District area.

What is available?

One year's funding per new apprenticeship post

Up to £400 towards travel

Up to £1,000 towards training (for over 25s only)

For more information about the scheme please contact Sarah Flamson by email: sarah.flamson@easthants.gov.uk.

Produced by East Hampshire District Council

Big news from East Hampshire District Council

Councillor allowances rise to boost diversity, background and experience

Increase opens the door for everyone to stand as a councillor

EHDC is increasing the allowances it pays councillors for the first time in eight years, in line with recommendations from an independent review, so that it can encourage diversity of thought, background and experience.

Many full-time workers cannot afford to take time off work to take up a role as a councillor.

The rise, slightly below that recommended by an independent panel, will make it easier for a wider cross-section of residents to become a councillor by reducing this financial obstacle.

An independent remuneration panel was appointed to review what the council pays its councillors (known as allowances). This thorough and robust review saw the independent panel benchmarking EHDC against other local authorities and interviewing a cross section of councillors and senior officers.

At EHDC’s Council meeting on Thursday 11 January councillors agreed to increase allowances but amended the independent proposals by cutting allowances for some roles and responsibilities, reducing the overall cost of the scheme.

The independent report said that: “EHDC was lagging behind similar authorities, particularly as there had been a long ‘freeze’ on allowances”. It went on to say that “for many, the current levels of allowance do not reflect the time and effort devoted to council work and the basic allowance in particular was too low”.

The panel benchmarked EHDC’s basic councillor allowance against 17 regional and comparative authorities and recommended that EHDC should pay a basic allowance to all members of £7,000 per year.

Councillors dedicate around 12 hours a week to their role but are expected to give 40 per cent of this time for free. The hours they are paid for are remunerated at an hourly rate of £18.60 - the average rate for an office worker in this area.

The independent panel also reviewed the ‘special responsibility allowances’ across the council which includes the Leader, Deputy Leader, portfolio holders, the Chairman, the Chairs and Vice-chairs of committees, assistant portfolio holders, members of committees and minority group leaders - and recommended that these were all increased.

The details of these can be found in this report

The report was scrutinised by the Standards Committee on 12 December which recommended the report should go to Council to be considered for approval.

At its meeting on January 11 councillors voted for an amended version which reduced the recommended allowances for various roles and committee memberships, reducing the overall cost of the scheme by about £7,000.

Cllr Nick Drew, Portfolio Holder for Legal & Governance and Change & Performance, said: “We want to ensure that anyone who would like to become a councillor is able to stand, regardless of their own financial position.

“These allowances will help encourage greater diversity among councillors and be a boost for democracy. By having a more diverse membership we hope to increase ideas, debate and challenge – which will ultimately benefit our residents.

“We haven’t increased allowances for eight years and the independent review recognises this. We deferred any increases previously in 2020 at the height of the Covid pandemic when the district and residents were battling with furlough and lockdowns.

“And I was delighted to see councillors across all parties support my amendment to lower the recommended increases for certain responsibilities and roles, cutting the cost of the scheme overall.”

£322k supporting our communities in East Hampshire

Communities across East Hampshire are benefiting from thousands of pounds in funding thanks to the Supporting Communities Fund (SCF).

Read about some of the great projects in our SCF newsletter

petersfield museum workshop scf

East Hampshire District Council has been busy handing out grants to 19 separate projects, who applied for funding to provide essential services to our residents, through the SCF bidding process.

That's over £320,000 of grants which have been awarded to community groups and organisations across the district in the last twelve months.

A new playpark in Rowlands Castle, refurbishments to a youth club in Alton and a historical garden in Clanfield were just some of the fantastic new community projects to be picked to receive financial support from East Hampshire’s SCF fund.

EHDC is committed to supporting and improving the welfare and wellbeing of our residents, particularly for those who may be struggling. Each year groups and organisations can bid for a share to fund projects to benefit the local community.

Councillor Adeel Shah, EHDC’s portfolio-holder for Community Development & Engagement, said: “Since introducing SCF in 2019 many local communities across the district have benefitted from thousands of pounds of investment in hundreds of projects.

"Our voluntary groups and charities do so much vital work in our communities that helps to make East Hampshire such an amazing place to live.

"We want to help local groups however we can and the Supporting Community Fund is a great way of doing that.

“We are contributing funding to a dozens of projects across the district, which will improve the lives of residents. It’s so wonderful to see the real benefits these grants deliver.”

The council agreed £322,166.20 of SCF funding in 2023 to support the following projects:

Love4Life – £15,000 for reducing isolation and supporting mental health of people with learning disabilities.

Petersfield Community Events CIC – £30,000 for spring, summer and Christmas festivals.

Flip Theatre Workshop Ltd – £29,400 for inclusive drama therapy workshops for primary aged children to give them vital life skills

Rowlands Castle Parish Council – £25,000 for Recreation Ground Play park replacement

Petersfield Community Garden – £12,000 for circular eco shelter with green roof

Pathways to Resilience – £28,623 a programme to give children and young people the tools to help them cope in times of stress, anxiety and overwhelm

The Kings Arms Youth Project (Alton) – £3,752.50 for improvements to the insulation and flood prevention.

Headley Parish Council – £10,000 for the development of new infrastructure including new changing room provision and community sports facilities.

Petersfield Community Radio (Shine Radio) – £10,089.00 for the purchase and installation of Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) equipment.

Petersfield Counselling Service – £20,000 for counselling services.

Petersfield Cricket Club – £7,000 to update the Heath Ground's outdoor net lanes.

Headway Portsmouth & Southeast – £13,805 to support to adults who have acquired a brain injury, and their carers and family members.

Butser Ancient Farm – £28,000 maintenance of the Ancient Heritage Gardens.

Four Marks Tennis Club – £15,000 for the resurface of the tennis courts.

Project 94 – £30,000 for youth hub sessions for 11-16 year olds.

C M Foundation – £25,496.70 for courses to older people to give them the skills they need to safely get online and use digital technology.

Greatham Parish Council – £19,000 for a new Greatham village playground.

Hollywater School – £10,000 to purchase a new accessible mini bus.

Find out about our grants schemes

Our priorities – Supporting Communities Fund

The Supporting Communities Fund is a £1million grant fund launched by East Hampshire District Council in 2019, which provides funding for community groups and organisations in the district.

These awards are instrumental for delivering on key priorities in our welfare strategy – delivering physical and mental wellbeing, and improving community connectivity and sense of place.

The Supporting Communities Fund (SCF) will begin its sixth round of funding in spring 2024.

Photo – Petersfield Museum is one of the many organisations to be awarded
grant funding through the Supporting Communities Fund.