East Hampshire Dementia Festival returns!

Supportive Dementia Festival returns to Petersfield packed with information and activities suitable for people living with dementia

The popular annual Dementia Festival, now in its fifth year, offering support to those affected by dementia, returns to Petersfield on Friday 31 October 2025.

The drop-in event, running from 10am-1pm at Churcher's College, Ramshill, Petersfield GU31 4AS, is a showcase of the help and support available to people living with dementia, their families and friends,

With around 25 organisations taking part, providing information and support, it presents the perfect opportunity to speak to people who can offer practical and real-life guidance about your own situation. 

Representatives from the local Dementia Friendly groups will be on-hand and there will be a presentation at 11am by a doctor from NHS Older People's Mental Health Service.

As well as great advice, the event also offers activities suitable for people with dementia, including entertainment from the Dementia Choir, and a chance to meet and chat with people who share similar experiences.

The Winton House Centre café will be open for refreshments and free parking is available.

There's no need to book - simply turn up!

To find out more, please contact Audrey Morton, on 07966 759929 or Julie Butler, on 07788 243138.

East Hampshire District Council’s Portfolio Holder for Community Development and Engagement, Cllr Adeel Shah said, “I’m proud to see the East Hampshire Dementia Festival return for another year. It's fantastic to see so many community organisations coming together to provide professional advice and exceptional support to the rising number of people touched by this life-changing condition.”

“The festival creates the perfect environment where people can feel inspired by personalised learning and receive the specialist support they need to live well with dementia. It is a great example of the community leading the way in such a positive manner.”

The dementia directory

East Hampshire District Council has worked in collaboration with a number of dementia friendly groups across the district to produce a directory for people who have been affected by a recent diagnosis of dementia.

The directory includes contact details for many local support groups and an easy to use advice checklist so people can keep track of the steps they’ve taken.

Printed versions of the booklet will be available at the festival or you can download a digital version from our website.

Another fly tip in an A31 layby

We’re investigating another large fly tip in an Alton layby. Please contact us if you have any information about it.

The large fly tip – containing roofing materials, corrugated iron and asbestos – was dumped in a layby near the Hen & Chicken pub on the A31.

The tip was reported on Friday 10 October. Specialist asbestos clearance experts have been called in to help clear the tip and look for evidence of where it could have come from. It should be cleared later this week.

Councillor Richard Millard, Leader of East Hampshire District Council, said:

“I am astounded but not surprised by this fly tip.

“Astounded that someone made the decision to risk dumping this hazardous material in our district again, but not surprised, because some people are evidently selfish enough to think that their profit from criminal activity is more important than anything or anyone else.

“Clearing this fly tip is going to cost taxpayers thousands of pounds.

“I want this district to be a hostile environment for fly tippers, and I encourage everyone in the district to be vigilant and report suspicious activity when they see it.”

If you know anything about the tip or who may have done it please contact district-team@easthants.gov.uk or phone 01730 266551.

Found a fly tip?

You can report it through your MyEHDC account.

If the fly tip is blocking the road, phone Hampshire County Council on 0300 555 1388 (8:30am to 5pm, Monday to Friday) or 101 outside those hours.

If you see the offence being committed, please phone the police on 101.

Please be aware that fly-tips can contain dangerous and hazardous materials, so for your own safety we ask you not to touch any tip you may find. Also, please do not remove anything from the fly tip as this could compromise evidence that could help with a prosecution.

Download pictures.

Cutting back your garden? Join our garden waste service

With autumn underway, now's the time to join our garden waste service for fallen leaves and plants that need cutting back for the winter.

Join the 11,000 subscribers to our district-wide garden waste service.

Sign up now and your collections will begin in November.

Garden waste subscriptions cost £124 per year for 25 fortnightly collections*. We’ll also take your real Christmas tree (if you have one) on the first garden waste collection in the new year.

A new 240 litre garden waste bin costs £82 and can be ordered when you set up your subscription.

*Terms and conditions apply.

Availability of capacity may vary depending on where you live. Unfortunately, we are unable to accept new customers on our hard-to-reach rounds (calendars beginning with H).

Find out more on our website.

Councillor Grants help Horndean Men’s Shed secure new storage facility

East Hampshire District Council councillors have come together to support a growing community initiative in Horndean.  

Thanks to grants from Cllr James Hogan, Cllr Elaine Woodard and Cllr Sara Schillemore - Horndean Men’s Shed has been able to install a secure lockup container at Horndean Technology College. 

They each contributed £1,000 through the Councillor Community Grant Scheme, which gives all EHDC councillors £7,000 to support community projects in their patch.

The new facility provides vital storage space for tools and materials, enabling the group to expand its activities and continue supporting the wider community.

Men's Shed is a nationwide community-run scheme that brings men together to engage in practical projects, share skills and foster friendships.

Recent projects include a handcrafted planter for Clanfield Junior School, showcasing how local investment can have a ripple effect across East Hampshire.

Could your community project benefit from a Councillor Community Grant?

The Councillor Community Grant Scheme is a budget of £7,000 allocated to each district councillor to support local voluntary and not-for-profit organisations within, or that benefit, their ward.

Grants of up to £1,000 per councillor can be awarded, but you can apply to more than one councillor.

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Major milestone reached as ‘Stronger Hampshire’ local government reorganisation proposal submitted to government

East Hampshire District Council has today submitted its proposal for local government reorganistion to central government.

This proposal recommends creating four new unitary councils – three on the Hampshire and Solent mainland and one on the Isle of Wight.  

This was discussed by councillors at Full Council on Thursday 25th September and Cabinet members agreed to submit the proposal earlier today.  

The change is part of a national move by Government to replace two-tier local government structures (i.e. county councils and district/borough councils) with fewer unitary (all-purpose) councils that deliver all local government services.

Across Hampshire and the Solent area, this involves 15 councils being replaced by a smaller number of unitary councils that deliver all services. 

The proposal, developed in partnership with Hampshire County Council, aims to deliver simpler, stronger and more secure local councils for the future: providing the best possible value, greater local accountability and reliable services for residents and their families for generations to come. What’s more, the plan promises to unlock fresh opportunities for innovation and growth, to make councils stronger and ready to bring about real, positive changes across communities, that people will actually see and feel in their everyday lives.  

This bid supports the Government’s growth and housing ambitions by proposing four unitary authorities that streamline governance, unlock land for development, and enable faster, more efficient housing delivery across Hampshire and the Solent Area. 

The needs and aspirations of local people lie at the heart of the new four-council design, aiming to create councils that are truly responsive, efficient, financially stable and focused on what matters most to people across the area. 

The proposal builds from a strong foundation, backed by expert advice, extensive engagement with communities and trusted organisations, and provides a smooth transition to a new model of local government with real benefits for residents. Four unitary councils are the right fit - big enough to deliver strong services but focused enough to stay connected to local communities. It’s the safest and most effective way to manage change and unlock long-term improvements. 

Cllr Richard Millard, Leader of East Hampshire District Council, said: “Today marks a major step forward. Our proposal for a four-unitary model is bold, forward-thinking, and built on solid evidence. 

“This plan unlocks around £50 million in annual savings, safeguards our most vulnerable residents, and lays the foundation for economic growth and innovation. 

“I care deeply that our communities are empowered and this proposal outlines how we will achieve that so that as well as delivering vital services and stimulating growth, we will also be able to ensure that the ‘little things’ that matter to our residents don’t get lost.  

“I’m proud to be putting forward a credible, ambitious, evidence-led proposal and I’m eager to hear the government’s response.” 

Councillor Nick Adams-King, Leader of Hampshire County Council, said: “This submission is the result of detailed analysis, careful collaboration, and a steadfast commitment to Hampshire’s future.  

“We’ve listened to the diverse voices from across our area, ensuring our proposal reflects the insight and priorities of residents, partners, and local organisations.  

“By drawing on expert advice and broad engagement, we are confident that the model we’ve set out will keep vital services strong, empower local decision-making, and provide a stable foundation to transform and improve the way councils work for residents through new opportunities for investment and economic growth in local areas.  

“Above all, our approach is about building a resilient, forward-looking system of local government that puts residents and their families first and secures the best outcomes for our communities - today and for generations to come”

Next steps:  

Central Government will decide which local government model(s) to consult the public about later this year, before making its final decision, which is expected in 2026. 

For more information on LGR and to read our proposal visit our website through the button below or use this link www.easthants.gov.uk/lgr

Rescue some recycling this Recycle Week

Lots of things that could be recycled end up in East Hampshire’s refuse (green) bins. Why not do your bit to rescue some recycling this Recycle Week? 

22-28 September is Recycle Week, a national campaign to get us all recycling more of the right things.

This year’s theme is ‘rescue me!’ focusing on rescuing recyclable items on their way to the refuse bin.

Items that people often forget to recycle include:

• Glass perfume or aftershave bottles
• Spray cleaner bottles
• Loo roll tubes
• Aerosol spray cans
• Shampoo bottles

Keep an eye out for our posts on social media and please share them with friends and family in the district.

Thanks!

Free business support workshops - Find one that works for you!

We're running a host of practical, expert-led workshops this autumn.

Take a look below and see which ones could support your team’s growth and development.

Tuesday 23 September - Visioning, Strategy and AI - 9.30am – 12.30pm (in person or online)

Thursday 25 September - Developing your staff - 2pm – 4pm (online) repeated on 23 October and 27 November

Thursday 2 October - Effective Recruitment - 2pm – 4pm (online) repeated on Thursday 6 November

Thursday 9 October - Recruiting the right person for your team -  2pm – 4pm (online) repeated on Thursday 20 November

Monday 3 November - Marketing automation – tools for growth -  9.30am – 12.30pm (online)

Wednesday 12 November - Collective problem-solving - 9.30am – 12.30pm (online)

Tuesday 18 November - Financial Agility and Growth -  9.30am – 12.30pm (online)

EHDC has used central government funds to provide workshops and one-to-one support to help you in your business.

The sessions will either be in person or online, depending on what the majority of attendees prefer. None of the meetings will be hybrid.

Each workshop is packed with value – plus you’ll receive free 1:1 expert support to apply what you've learned directly to your business.

Brought to you through the government’s SPF allocation, and delivered by Consultician Ltd, Cash Cow Marketing Ltd, Alloy Consulting Ltd and SB Consulting.

Sign up to one, some or all of the courses by emailing business@easthants.gov.uk.

Check out the upcoming course through the link below

Want to take action on climate change? Apply for funding now

Our Community Climate Action Fund is now open for projects that demonstrate strong community benefit and help carbon reduction, climate adaptation and environmental education.

Applications can be up to £20,000 to fund either capital or revenue costs. 

The fund, which has approved funding to 29 projects worth £250,000 over the past two years, will distribute a further £129,000 in this round, funded through councillor grants.

Get a fully-funded six-month work placement for your business

East Hampshire businesses can take on new employees for six-months at no cost thanks to funded work placements launched by East Hampshire District Council and the Department for Work and Pensions. 

The programme, called Kickstart, seeks ten local businesses from any sector who are able to offer new placement roles. 

Have your say on the future of Hampshire’s visitor economy

If you’re part of the visitor economy - whether in hospitality, attractions, retail, food and drink, accommodation, events or transport – Tourism South East wants to hear from you. 

Please take 10 minutes to complete this important survey and help shape the strategy for tourism growth and support in Hampshire.

Deadline: 30 September 2025

Do you need more land to help grow your business?

EHDC is updating its Local Plan for development - and it needs to hear from businesses. What would your ideal site look like? And where would it be?

Take this short survey before 5 October 2025 to give us your views.

Business Support Programmes for you – sign up now!

EHDC has used central government funds to provide workshops and one-to-one support to help you in your business.

The sessions will either be in person or online, depending on what the majority of attendees prefer. None of the meetings will be hybrid.

Each workshop is packed with value – plus you’ll receive free 1:1 expert support to apply what you've learned directly to your business.

Brought to you through the government’s SPF allocation, and delivered by Consultician Ltd, Cash Cow Marketing Ltd, Alloy Consulting Ltd and SB Consulting.

Sign up to one, some or all of the courses by emailing business@easthants.gov.uk.

Check out the upcoming course through the link below

Upcoming workshops - Find what works for you

Here are some of the practical, expert-led workshops coming up this autumn.

Take a look below and see which ones could support your team’s growth and development.

Building High Trust Peer Networks - Thursday 18 September 9.30am  - 12.30pm (online)

Visioning, Strategy and AI - Tuesday 23 September 9.30am – 12.30pm (in person or online)

Developing your staff - Thursday 25 September 2pm – 4pm (online) repeated on 23 October and 27 November

Effective Recruitment - Thursday 2 October 2pm – 4pm (online) repeated on Thursday 6 November

Recruiting the right person for your team - Thursday 9 October 2pm – 4pm (online) repeated on Thursday 20 November

Marketing automation – tools for growth - Monday 3 November 9.30am – 12.30pm (online)

Collective problem-solving - Wednesday 12 November 9.30am – 12.30pm (online)

Financial Agility and Growth - Tuesday 18 November 9.30am – 12.30pm (online)

Have your say on the future of Hampshire’s visitor economy 

If you’re part of the visitor economy - whether in hospitality, attractions, retail, food and drink, accommodation, events or transport – Tourism South East wants to hear from you. 

Please take 10 minutes to complete this important survey and help shape the strategy for tourism growth and support in Hampshire.

Deadline: 30 September 2025

Get a fully-funded six-month work placement for your business

East Hampshire businesses can take on new employees for six-months at no cost thanks to funded work placements launched by East Hampshire District Council and the Department for Work and Pensions. 

The programme, called Kickstart, seeks ten local businesses from any sector who are able to offer new placement roles. 

AI: Understand It Before You’re Left Behind – Tuesday 16 September

Is AI confusing, overwhelming or something you’ve avoided?

If you’re a business owner or senior leader aged 45+, you’re not alone. Most SMEs know they should be exploring artificial intelligence, but many don’t know where to start.

This online session will help you understand what AI is, how it affects your business, and what to do next in plain English, with no jargon.

This is a free event and will be held on Tuesday 16 September, 11am-12pm on Zoom

Training opportunities

Hampshire County Council runs a number of training courses called Skills Bootcamps to help your business.

Skills Bootcamps are funded, flexible training courses designed to address real skills gaps, quickly and effectively.

Two videos below will tell you all about it in the words of those who have have used them. To find out more go to: www.hants.gov.uk/business/skillsbootcamp

Federation of Small Businesses Offer

The FSB supports businesses in England, no matter what their specialism. And this year FSB is celebrating its 51st birthday by offering £51 off the annual membership fee (T&Cs apply)

Dispose of your business waste responsibly to avoid a fine

Every business that produces waste in the UK has a legal ‘duty of care’ to:

• manage it properly until it's recycled or disposed of
• always use a registered waste carrier or register to carry your own waste
• keep the correct paperwork for at least two years

If your business waste is fly tipped and you don’t have appropriate paperwork, you could receive a £400 fixed penalty notice or, if convicted in court, the maximum fine is unlimited, and you could face 12 months in prison.

GOV.UK has information on disposing of business or commercial waste and your responsibilities.

£20,000 climate grant scheme opens

Our Community Climate Action Fund (CCAF) grant scheme is now open for applications.

The fund, which has approved funding to 29 projects worth £250,000 over the past two years, will distribute a further £129,000 in this round, funded through councillor grants.

Projects must demonstrate strong community benefit and align with key priorities such as carbon reduction, climate adaptation, and environmental education.

What we’re looking for

Successful applications will:

• Support carbon reduction or climate adaptation
• Benefit a wide number of residents
• Offer good value for money
• Align with EHDC’s Climate and Environment Strategy
• Be backed by a district councillor

Projects could include:

• Community energy generation or energy-saving upgrades
• Active travel schemes and bike infrastructure
• Greening initiatives like wildflower gardens or green roofs
• Climate and health projects that improve wellbeing
• Community engagement activities that inspire climate action

Applications can be completed online and submitted through your MyEHDC account.

The fund will close for applications on 13 October 2025.

Zero waste, walking to school and seasonal eating

Welcome to the September edition of Green Steps. It’s zero waste week, as well as back to school week in a month when lovely fresh local food is in season. We hope you enjoy this month’s three green steps.

It’s zero waste week!

This week (1-5 September) is zero waste week.

Let’s face it, we all waste quite a bit (we wouldn’t have bins to empty every other week otherwise). Whether it’s buying more food than we need, buying single-use plastics or buying clothes we never end up wearing, zero waste week is a great opportunity to think about what we waste and make changes that could last a lifetime.

Recycle Now has tips on how you can reduce your waste.

Walking back to happiness (school)!

The new school year is a great opportunity to change your habits when going to school. Hampshire County Council has seven great reasons to walk to school

1. In the right frame of mind - children who walk to school arrive in a calmer frame of mind, ready to cope with the work of the day.
2. Fit and healthy - both you and your child gets some exercise.
3. Quality time - this is a great time to spend together without distractions.
4. Hassle free drop off and pick ups - by walking you can avoid the problems of school gate parking, which can put all children in danger and cause unnecessary stress.
5. Fresh clean air - 20% of all rush hour traffic is made up of people doing the school run.
6. Safety first - it's a chance to talk to your child and enforce some of the road safety messages.
7. Be social and make it a better place - by walking you make your neighbourhood safer, quieter, and friendlier.

Eat seasonally!

We know we can get food from all over the world at your local supermarket, but choosing fruit and vegetables that are naturally in season will mean you’re getting them at their best and they’re also more likely to come from down the road than thousands of miles away.

In September, the sorts of things in season are blackberries, cauliflower, broccoli, apples, pears and aubergines.

The National Trust has a guide to seasonal foods on its website.

Flying the flag for Ukrainian Independence Day in East Hampshire

Sunday 24 August is Ukrainian Independence Day and we’ll be celebrating the resilient spirit of the Ukrainian people by flying the Ukrainian flag at our offices.

There are currently 445 Ukrainian guests (220 families) living in the East Hampshire area with host families and in private rented accommodation. Approximately 55 East Hampshire households are active hosts, supporting Ukrainian families.

The district has welcomed 558 guests since the launch of the scheme in March 2022, the third highest number in Hampshire.

We have dedicated staff working to ensure that Ukrainian guests have all of the support they need to be an active part of the East Hampshire community as well as providing opportunities for them to support each other through their shared experience.

In 2025, we have provided community initiatives including support in transition to the newly launched UPE (Ukraine Permission Scheme) visa scheme for guests, a drop in wellbeing event for adults and a outdoor education centre visit for children aged 5-13 years old, a Ukrainian youth club in partnership with Rural Refugee Network, weekly art classes in partnership with Creatful and weekly drop in yoga classes.

We remain committed to working with local organisations and agencies to provide support and much needed services to the families that are settling here.

Councillor Graham Hill, Chairman of East Hampshire District Council, said:

“East Hampshire residents have given incredible support to Ukrainians forced from their country by war.

“It is hard to imagine what it would be like to be put in a situation where you must leave all you are familiar with behind to protect yourself and your family.

“EHDC remains committed to providing all of the support we can for both our Ukrainian guests and the hosts that have opened their homes to them.”

Could you host a Ukrainian family or individual?

Nationally, the Government has set payments at £350 per month for those hosts who provide accommodation to guests who have arrived in the country less than 12 months ago, and £500 for hosts of guests who have been in the UK for over 12 months.

Hampshire County Council has decided locally to top up these payments so all hosts will receive £500 per month until March 2026.

If you are thinking of becoming a host or are an existing host and would like further support for you and your guests, please email ukrainesupport@easthants.gov.uk or complete our expression of interest form and one of the team will contact you to discuss this further.

Find out more about the support available for potential hosts and Ukrainian guests while they’re here on our website.

Your councils of the future - thank you for having your say

Thank you to everyone who took part in our recent survey on the future of local government across Hampshire and the Solent area.

Government wants to shake-up how councils are organised nationally, and your feedback on our idea to create four new all-purpose councils covering Hampshire, Southampton, Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight (known as ‘Hampshire and the Solent area’) will help shape our final proposal to Government, which aims to improve services for families, ensure decisions reflect community needs, and build a future where people feel proud of where they live.

It’s a big moment for all of us - to create a system that protects the most vulnerable, keeps people safe, and improves everyday life by developing our services in a really innovative way.

Cllr Richard Millard, Leader of EHDC, said: “Thank you so much to everyone who took the time to share your views as part of our engagement. We’ve also worked with parish and town councils and other organisations to gather their important views.

“Your feedback is invaluable as we work to further develop our proposal that meets the needs and aspirations of our communities.

“We are now working on our final proposal which will be considered by councillors in September, before submission to central government.”

Next steps

This September, East Hampshire District Council’s Full Council and Cabinet will consider our final recommended approach. Our preferred model for new councils will then be submitted to government. The government is then expected to consult the public in November before making a final decision on how councils will be structured across Hampshire, Southampton, Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight.

Welcome to our monthly round-up of what's happening in your district.

In this issue: Have your say on Local Government Reorganisation, Meet Jane Austen sculptor, Get Up & Go! grants for physical activity schemes, new homes boosting local infrastructure, and more...

Follow our social media channels for regular updates.

Help shape the future of local services – making councils simpler, stronger and secure

Big changes are coming to councils across Hampshire and Solent area, and your views matter.

The Government wants to shake-up how local government is organised and we want your views on how that might work here.

Councils play a crucial role in people’s everyday lives, from emptying the bins and educating children right through to protecting our most vulnerable residents.

You can give your views on our ideas for Local Government Reorganisation, including providing suggestions for the name of the new local authorities, by completing the survey before Sunday 17 August 2025.

Jane Austen – Meet the sculptor

Watch our insightful video as sculptor Mark Coreth explains how he created the beautiful Jane Austen sculpture, now taking pride of place in Alton's Regency Garden.

We’re proud to support the new Jane Austen sculpture with £46,000 from the Government-funded Rural Grants scheme, which is part of our wide-reaching Grow Up! programme.

The project, arranged by Alton Town Council, was brought to life by sculptor Mark Coreth over the course of a year. Watch as she takes shape from initial sketches to final installation in this behind-the-scenes video.

Get Up and Go! grants available for new physical activity schemes

Local groups, organisations, charities and individuals can apply for a grant of up to £500 for providing physical activity-based projects in East Hampshire.

Exercise and health professionals, charities, community groups and local organisations can apply for grants of up to £500 to help set-up or start any new physical activity-based projects in the district.

Get Up & Go! aims to tackle exercise inequalities faced within our communities, by providing affordable and accessible physical activity opportunities for residents.

Physical activity can mean any form of movement that improves health and wellbeing, this could be gardening, or litter picking, as well as more traditional exercise classes and sports.

If you, or your group has an idea for setting up a new activity in your area, click below to find out all you need to know and how to apply.

New homes boost local infrastructure

New homes built in East Hampshire has generated more than £1.8 million of funding to put towards improving infrastructure for residents.  

Developers must make a financial contribution to infrastructure for every home they build. This funding is called the Community Infrastructure Levy.

The money is for local community projects that improve local facilities such as schools, health services and roads. 

Reinvesting developer contributions locally, helps to build stronger, more connected communities.

This year, funding for 24 projects has been allocated to community groups, councils, schools and charities across East Hampshire.