Have your say on nature’s recovery across East Hampshire

Hampshire County Council (HCC) is running a consultation on its draft Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) for the county.

Have your say before the consultation closes on Monday 23 June.

We have worked closely with HCC and will have a key role in helping to deliver on the priorities the LNRS sets out. The strategy outlines ways we can support habitat creation and enhancement in East Hampshire as well as the wider county. It will guide nature recovery initiatives which will support local conservation efforts which in turn will feed into national goals to restore biodiversity.

People who live in Hampshire, landowners and local groups are being asked to look at the plan and share their thoughts on it.

Hampshire is a beautiful place with many different types of landscape and diverse habitats. It has ancient woodlands, such as Alice Holt, wildflower meadows, iconic chalk streams, such as the River Meon, species-rich downland such as Butser Hill, important heathland mosaics, including the Wealden Heaths, as well as coastal and marine habitats.

Because of all these different places, Hampshire is home to many kinds of plants and animals, not least within East Hampshire. The LNRS shows how important Hampshire is for nature and explains what we can do to expand, protect and connect these special places.

This consultation is open until 11.59pm on 23 June 2025.

How you can avoid a fly tipping fine

Fly tipping – the illegal dumping of waste – is a blight on the beautiful East Hampshire countryside, and we will prosecute the people responsible where possible.

Remember SCRAP before you let someone take your waste away.

What does SCRAP stand for?

Suspect all waste carriers. Don't let them take your rubbish until they provide proof of registration. Note their vehicle's registration number.

Check that a waste carrier is registered on the Environment Agency's website.

Refuse any unexpected offers to have your rubbish taken away.

Ask how your rubbish will be disposed of - seek evidence of this.

Paperwork must be obtained: a proper invoice, waste transfer note or receipt, including a description of the waste being removed and the waste carrier's contact details.

Why should I care?

Everyone has a legal 'duty of care' to ensure their household or business waste is disposed of correctly.

You can be prosecuted even if your waste is fly tipped by someone else.

If it's your waste, it's your responsibility.

Choosing a responsible option

To dispose of items not collected by your household refuse and recycling collections, you could:

• Sell or donate your unwanted items so others can use them.
• Book an appointment at one of Hampshire County Council’s waste recycling centres and take your waste there.
• Pay an approved licensed waste carrier and sign a waste transfer note handing over responsibility to them.
• Pay for our bulky waste collection service.

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 any evidence that could help with a prosecution.

Using AI in your business

Hampshire’s Growth Hub will be hosting a webinar aimed at helping small businesses harness the power of AI. It will take place on 28 May between noon and 1pm.You can register to attend the event here: AI Agents for Small Businesses Tickets, Wed 28 May 2025 at 12:00 | Eventbrite

Or you can access support from the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) and the Code Institute by joining their assessment programme here: Code Institute - AI Maturity Assessment - UK, and gain digital skills through Enterprise Nation: Tech Hub | Digital tools to boost productivity | Enterprise Nation | Enterprise Nation

Hampshire Growth Hub is also hosting an in-person Hampshire Business Growth Accelerator workshop at the Balmer Lawn Hotel, Brockenhurst. It will be held on Tuesday 3 June and Monday 23 June.

Looking to recruit? Make sure your business meets the Employer Standards

The Careers and Enterprise Company, which provides a service to ensure students leave education with an understanding of the world of work, has set out nine key employer standards which will help businesses understand who they want to recruit and why.

To check how your business meets these standards here: Home - CEC Employer Portal

Hampshire Chamber of Commerce quarterly survey

You have until Friday 6 June to provide your thoughts on the UK economy to the British Chambers of Commerce: Quarterly Economic Survey | Hampshire Chamber of Commerce

Farming Equipment and Technology Fund has re-opened – grants of up to £25,000 available

For more information about this government grant, including the criteria, please visit the website here: Farming Equipment and Technology Fund 2025 - GOV.UK. This current scheme closes on 10 July.

Single use vape ban – what businesses need to do

On 1 June 2025 the law around single use vapes will change. Understand your responsibilities by reading the government advice here: Single-use vapes ban: what businesses need to do - GOV.UK

Do you specialise in manufacturing?

Innovate UK, a major grant provider to the manufacturing industry, would like your help to shape their future services around AI and digital technology use in your sector. You can access their 15-minute survey here: Made Smarter Innovation Network: Digital & AI in Manufacturing

Digital transformation support in the South East | Made Smarter

Or join the Innovate UK Growth Catalyst, which provides startups in clean energy and climate technology with funding and support: Innovate UK Growth Catalyst for late-stage startups: Clean Energy and Climate Technologies - Innovate UK Business Connect

Do you provide services to tourism or the visitor economy? Enter the Beautiful South Awards

Applications will be accepted until 18 May: Welcome to the Beautiful South Tourism Awards

This project is funded by the UK Government through the UKSPF

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and​ skills.

Find out more on GOV.UK

Council welcomes positive Peer Report

Councillors have welcomed an excellent report into East Hampshire District Council’s performance by a team of independent public sector experts.

At Thursday night’s Full Council meeting members discussed the Corporate Peer Challenge report – an assessment of EHDC’s operations by senior councillors and officers from other authorities.

The report described EHDC as a 'well-run' council that can 'deliver on its priorities' with 'passionate staff, who are committed to the council and residents'.

EHDC Leader, Cllr Richard Millard, said: ““I am extremely pleased with the findings of the peer review. It shows the council in its true light as the successful council that it is, and it shows that we continue to provide support to all members of the community to the standards that I expect.

“To have such a positive endorsement of the work we have done at EHDC over the last few years shows the value of the work we have put in here.

"It really supports the work our officers do day in day out, so congratulations to them on achieving such a successful report. There were some recommendations for improvements but that gives us the opportunity to continually feedback and review as we go forward."

The report is the end result of a process called a Corporate Peer Challenge. It saw a team of senior local government councillors and officers undertaking a comprehensive review of key finance, performance and governance information at the council.

The team spent three days with the council in January interviewing staff and councillors and closely examining the council’s operations.

Praise for the council included its recent move to new premises, its new leadership structure, bringing IT services in-house and updating systems and redesigning services.

The report also made recommendations for improvements and an action plan is already in place to see these recommendations put into practice.