Partners 77 - Winter 2010/11

Recycling and refuse Christmas collections see back cover

Issue 77 Winter 2010/11

Chinooks over East Hants page 9

Whitehill Bordon: what’s next? pages 16 & 17

Over 55s – make a difference page 8

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Working for your community, Furniture Helpline continue to collect used furniture and white goods making them available at very small prices to low-income households.

Calling all OAPs living in East Hampshire...

Furniture Helpline are pleased to confirm that with immediate effect: • all furniture and household goods purchased by you will be reduced by 60%* • all large white goods purchased by you will be reduced by 20%* * This offer will end January 31st 2011.

To donate or buy, call us on 01420 489000 or email: furniturehelpline@btconnect.com Thanks for your tremendous support that helped us support 620 families last year and save 155 tonnes from landfill.

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WELCOME

CONTACT WITH THE COUNCIL

New leader and deputy

COVER PAGE 12 INSET © LISA F. YOUNG | DREAMSTIME.COM

Cllr Patrick Burridge, EHDC’s cabinet member for planning (pictured left), and Councillor Ken Moon, holder of the council’s finance portfolio are EHDC’s new Leader and Deputy Leader.

Councillor Burridge, who is ward member for Beech, Bentworth, Chawton, Farringdon and Wield, is delighted at his appointment as Leader.

“I am thrilled to be able to serve the district at this time. There is a lot of change to deal with: the new South Downs National Park, our developing partnership with Havant Borough Council and, above all, the need to make hard decisions to make savings, while keeping services effective and council tax low.”

Councillor Moon, who is ward member for Clanfield and Finchdean said: “Partnerships such as sharing management and services with Havant and refuse and recycling services with Winchester will achieve important savings.

But we will have to continue to use imagination and initiative to make all the savings necessary to maintain healthy delivery of our core services.”

Councillor Burridge continued: “We have a well established culture of working in partnership with local people, and community and voluntary organisations. East Hampshire communities are more active than most, and we shall be looking at ways to invigorate our partnership and support for them, maintaining East Hampshire as one of the best places to live in the UK.”

If you think Partners Magazine itself is damaging to the environment you don’t need to receive it in printed format. Simply log on to www.easthants.gov.uk, click on the link for Partners Magazine and fill in the opt-out form. You will then have a choice of options for online information instead.

Note: East Hampshire District Council accepts no liability for any losses by any person in reliance of any of the content of commercial advertisements contained within this magazine. Commercial advertisements published within this magazine do not amount to an endorsement of any of the goods or services by East Hampshire District Council.

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Partners Magazine is published

by East Hampshire District Council.

An online version is available at www.easthants.gov.uk, (search Partners Magazine).

If you would like to contact the district council about any of the services featured in this edition please see details given in each article. You can also write to us at East Hampshire District Council, Penns Place, Petersfield, Hampshire, GU31 4EX, or email info@easthants.gov.uk. Your next edition of Partners Magazine will be published in May 2011.

MAIN SWITCHBOARD 01730 266551 (MINICOM SERVICE – TEXT CALLS – FOR THE HARD OF HEARING ON 01730 234103)

Please read and recycle this magazine. The plastic wrap is made from biodegradable materials and can be placed in your refuse bin.

Clear print and audio tape copies of this magazine are available on request or from local libraries.

If you need information or advice about services in another language or format please contact us on 01730 234014.

FRONT COVER Lisa Clements of EHDC’s RAPP scheme and Katie enjoy last year’s Whitehill Bordon Christmas Festival.

Successful communities

Christmas is

a time for giving –

so why not give your time?

There has never been a greater need for volunteers and with the emergence of the Big Society agenda the dependence on the voluntary sector could deepen further.

No matter what skills you have there is no shortage of ways you can make an important contribution to your community.

Bernard Simmons, Manager of the Volunteer Centre in Petersfield (pictured left), said there are 1,387 vacant roles, among 372 local organisations, all competing for volunteers.

While most of us look forward to time off and time spent with family at Christmas, many people specifically choose the festive period as a time to volunteer.

He said: “Christmas can be a difficult time for some people and they will ask to volunteer just for that period. Whether it is because of their religion or a personal trauma, whatever personal reason they have, they want to avoid Christmas and would rather work through it.”

A popular move for Christmas volunteers is the Churches night shelter, in Winchester, where people can help bring a little cheer to the city’s homeless during the deep midwinter.

There is no comparable facility in East Hampshire but there are other organisations that need help. At this time of year the Volunteer Centre compiles a list of Christmas volunteering opportunities available to those with time to give.

Bernard says the Volunteer Centre, based on Tilmore Road, can match just about any person with a role that will suit their skills.

“Accountancy, conservation, care work, food, washing up, cleaning. It’s endless,” he said. “You can basically name any task description and we would be able to find something, no matter what your skill set.”

But it’s not just about doing what you’re used to. “It’s also about building new skills and meeting new people,” he said.

“Young people who have come out of university sometimes can’t find a job

because they lack experience. By volunteering you can learn skills which can be transferred into the work place.”

By way of a thank you to the volunteer community which offers so much value to East Hampshire, the Volunteer Centre throws its own festive party.

‘A Christmas Cheer for Volunteers’ may sound like any other yuletide knees-up but it doubles as a useful recruitment drive for new volunteers and for local groups who need help.

Held at Winton House, Petersfield High Street on Thursday 16 December, it is open to those considering volunteering as much as to voluntary sector stalwarts and is a perfect opportunity for groups and volunteers to meet and mix.

“Any volunteers who would like to come along and participate are welcome. It’s about networking and about saying thank you to volunteers across the district,” said Bernard. “Come along and meet the team from the Volunteer Centre and find out how to volunteer and what it is all about.

“If you want to volunteer or if you run an organisation and need volunteers please contact us.”

CONTACT the Volunteer Centre at the Tilmore Centre, 1 Tilmore Road, Petersfield, GU32 2HG or phone on 01730 710017.

For more information log on to www.cfeh.org.uk

Your good elf: Centre staff promote last year’s Christmas Cheer for Volunteers

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QUALITY SERVICES

Staying ahead of the game to protect services The coalition government’s spending review is creating great challenges for local councils with anticipated cuts of 10 per cent or more expected year on year. To avoid correspondingly high increases in council tax, local authorities need to rethink how they work and find better and more effective ways of providing services.

East Hampshire District Council made a start in July 2009, by agreeing to share a chief executive with Havant Borough Council rather than appoint a replacement for its outgoing chief executive, Will Godfrey.

This made an immediate saving of around £60,000 per year. More recent sharing of senior management posts will save a further £500,000 across both councils and more savings will be achieved from reducing management across both councils.

Sandy Hopkins, Shared Chief Executive of EHDC and Havant Borough Council

What the council leaders think “The partnership between East Hampshire District and Havant Borough Council is the most effective response our councils can make to the tightening financial situation. Sharing a chief executive and management team is already bringing savings and we are on course to save a lot more from shared management of services in the next phase of the review.”

“There is really no other way we can go if we are to protect the services and resources that councillors need to meet the aspirations of their communities.

By sharing management costs, both councils will be able to put resources where their respective communities most need them.”

CLLR PATRICK BURRIDGE, LEADER, EAST HAMPSHIRE DISTRICT COUNCIL

The partnership between East Hampshire District Council and Havant Borough Council is the first of its kind in Hampshire but is part of a growing trend in local government across the country. It puts East Hampshire and Havant ahead of the game because the coalition government is actively promoting shared services as a way of reducing management costs to improve efficiency and value for money, and keep council tax low.

Economies will also be made by sharing services. A recent decision to share car parking enforcement with Havant will save around £90,000 per year (see page 22) and more economies will be found as the partnership between the two councils

CLLR TONY BRIGGS, LEADER, HAVANT BOROUGH COUNCIL

progresses. As well as sharing management and services with Havant, EHDC and Winchester City Council will be working together on refuse and recycling collection.

ACHIEVING THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS Sharing management and services is achieving the best of both worlds, protecting services and reducing costs, while maintaining local democratic representation and the distinct identity of both councils.

to be highly innovative to maintain services year on year. If, for example, 20 per cent savings are achieved, the real question will be about how the remaining 80 per cent should be spent to best meet the needs of local residents.

This may involve looking at ways to reduce direct local council provision for some services in favour of enabling residents to take over more of the responsibility for their own neighbourhoods.

This will be part of an ongoing debate at national as well as local level.

WILL SHARING SERVICES BE ENOUGH?

TO

The new arrangements will produce significant savings but councils will have

activities see the news pages on www.easthampshire.org

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KEEP UP TO DATE ON COUNCIL

Democracy

East Hampshire District and Parish Council elections will take place on Thursday 5 May 2011.

These are very important elections, at a time when local government finances are under pressure.

The elections are about getting the right people to make the right decisions for your community.

As well as the council elections there will also be a referendum on the voting system on the same day.

The result may reshape the way democracy is done in the United Kingdom and so it is vital that everyone uses their vote.

the Polls WOULD YOU STAND FOR IT?

MAKE SURE YOU ARE REGISTERED To vote you need to be on the Register of Electors. The register is updated in the autumn and published on 1 December.

If any of your details have changed since we last published you can reapply at any time up to Friday 15 April 2011. For details of applying online or by telephone see ‘More Information’ at the end of this article.

HOW DO I VOTE? Provided you are registered there are a number of ways to vote: voting in person at your polling station postal voting proxy voting – this is when you appoint a person to vote on your behalf overseas voting service voters.

Anyone registered is entitled to a postal vote. To apply for any of these methods see ‘More Information’ at the end of this article.

Have you ever thought about becoming a councillor? On Wednesday 2 February, from 6.30-8.30pm, there will be a special drop-in evening at the Council Chamber, Penns Place, Petersfield, where you can meet councillors and council officers to find out what being a councillor is all about.

There will be a short presentation at around 7.30pm. But you can drop in at any time to meet district and town councillors, council officers and youth council representatives and pick up information from their stalls.

TRAILER TOUR We will also be touring the district on Saturday mornings with a trailer so that you could come and see us in your own area. The dates and times are: Alton Market Saturday 12 February 2011 from 10am-1pm Petersfield Market Saturday 19 February 2011 from 10am-1pm Others dates are planned for Bordon and Waterlooville.

The only qualification you need to stand for election is that you are over 18 and want to make a positive difference in your community. And if you are under 18 there is an East Hampshire Youth Council that you may be interested to join.

If you are planning to come along to the event please inform Hannah Smith on 01730 234093 or email hannah.smith @easthants.gov.uk. This will help us plan for the right number.

THE ONLY QUALIFICATION YOU NEED TO STAND FOR ELECTION IS THAT YOU ARE OVER 18 AND WANT TO MAKE A POSITIVE DIFFERENCE IN YOUR COMMUNITY. PARTNERS

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WOMAN IN BOOTH © GINASANDERS, BALLOT BOX © PAUL FLEET, ILLUSTRATION © KONSTANTINOS KOKKINIS | DREAMSTIME.COM

Going to

REFERENDUM On Monday 5 July the Deputy Prime Minister announced that a UK-wide referendum will be held on 5 May 2011.

This referendum will seek the UK public’s views on whether the system for electing the UK Parliament should change from First Past the Post to the Alternative Vote.

Under the current First Past the Post system, winning candidates simply gain more votes than any other candidate on a single count. This doesn’t need to be an absolute majority of the votes cast in a constituency.

Under the Alternative Vote system, voters rank candidates in order of preference. If no candidate gets more than half of the votes cast on the first count of first preference votes, the candidate with the fewest first preference votes is eliminated and his/her second preferences are distributed between the other candidates. This process continues until one candidate has achieved an overall majority.

The referendum form will be available at the same time and in the same way as the council elections voting slips.

MORE INFORMATION You can download a registration form and postal vote application from www.aboutmyvote.com If you prefer to phone, telephone 01730 234370 or 01730 234093 More information is available on our website www.easthants.gov.uk Use our A-Z to look up ‘elections’ www.directgov.co.uk also has comprehensive information about the forthcoming election and referendum

“Four years ago I had little idea of what being a councillor involved, or how to go about becoming one.

The prospective councillors’ event gave me all the information I needed and I have had a very enjoyable four years as a result. It has been hard work but with some good achievements.”

CLLR RICHARD MILLARD PARTNERS

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“The role of district councillor is very diverse and we wear many different hats for different tasks.

Most of our day to day work will involve casework where we are working on our residents’ behalf. This is often problem solving, working as an advocate on behalf of an individual, a family or maybe even a task that will benefit the whole ward.

“What I enjoy most is that no two days are ever the same, the type of issues we work on range so vastly that one day you could be sat in a council chamber debating levels of council tax and the next you are on a planning site visit observing where future housing will be. It’s not your average 9 to 5 job by any means but you’ll learn a lot on the way, feel good knowing you’re ‘giving something back’ and you’ll have a lot of fun!”

CLLR SAM DARRAGH

QUALITY SERVICES

Help make a

Stand up and

be counted

difference

Helping East Hampshire take shape as the 2011 Census approaches

Are you over 55? Do you have lots of opinions on how things should be improved? If so then we want to hear from you!

EHDC is gathering in the views of over 55s to find out what issues are affecting older people and what their priorities are. Feedback given will be put towards finding solutions and developing ways to improve the quality of services, so it’s worth taking part.

Cllr Hilary Ayer, Portfolio Holder for Safer and Accessible Services, said: “If you are over 55 then this represents a great chance to help develop local services and improve the facilities available to you in your local community. We will take what we learn on board and use it to draw up a better picture of the kinds of issues facing older people and how best to tackle them. So whatever issues you are facing have your say and make a difference.”

Please take the time to fill in the questionnaire below and send it back to Kate Male, Social Justice Officer, East Hampshire District Council, Penns Place, GU31 4EX, or phone 01730 234395.

Which of these are of most concern to you?

1 Difficulties using public transport 2 The suitability of your home for your long term needs 3 The availability of sheltered or extra care housing should you need it 4 Being safe in your own home or when out and about 5 Opportunities to keep active and healthy 6 The financial help available to make ends meet How well informed do you feel about the services and support available to you

Very concerned

A little concerned

Not concerned at all

Not at Quite well all informed informed

Very well informed

If you could choose one improvement the council could make, what would it be?

Please let us know. Please write here.

About you (you do not have to provide this information if you do not wish to) Name Address

Postcode

Male

Telephone

Female

Age

We will report the results of this survey in the May 2011 issue of Partners Magazine.

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In less than a year, residents in East Hampshire will take part in the nation’s biggest survey, as the Office for National Statistics (ONS) carries out the 2011 Census in England and Wales on Sunday 27 March.

By completing the census you will be helping to define your identity in 2011.

You will know that you have played your part in helping tomorrow take shape in your community as; all communities can use census statistics to help gain recognition of their numbers at a national and local level by completing the census questionnaire you will be counted. By encouraging and/ or helping your friends/family/community to complete their questionnaires, they will be counted local government use census statistics to understand the characteristics of their populations and what facilities are needed, from leisure centres to schools and hospitals.

Your personal information is protected by law, kept confidential for 100 years and not shared with anyone (including local and central government) The 2011 Census doesn’t want anyone to fall behind – so there is a wide range of help options available (such as language guidance booklets, large print format, Text Relay and census field staff on hand, as well as online help and telephone call centres).

The 2011 Census team is also recruiting for many roles in the East Hampshire area.

For more information on the roles, dates of employment and pay rates, please visit www.censusjobs.co.uk and encourage people in your local community to find out more and apply.

MORE INFORMATION about the 2011 Census can be found at: www.census.gov.uk

Successful communities

A Chinook on operations in Afghanistan

The Commander of the UK Chinook Force has said the training carried out in East Hampshire skies is saving lives in Afghanistan.

Group Captain Steve Shell, the commanding officer at RAF Odiham (pictured left), said the familiar sight and sound of Chinooks over our heads is an integral part of building up the skills that can be the difference between life and death.

In a powerful presentation to councillors in October, Group Captain Shell graphically demonstrated the difficulties faced by aircrew in Afghanistan and the huge burden of training required to keep them safe.

He said: “I want to explain why we fly over people’s houses.

I want to bring to life how difficult it is to land a Chinook and particularly how difficult it is to land a Chinook in the dust that prevails in Afghanistan. If I can give people a feel for how difficult that is, and therefore how much we need to train to do so, I will have achieved my aim.”

Chief among the challenging conditions in Afghanistan is the ubiquitous desert sand. As fine as talcum powder, a Chinook’s downdraft billows the sand into huge clouds which eclipses a pilot’s vision and damages engines, controls and mechanisms.

“The shroud of talcum powder sand means you cannot see anything out of the cockpit, there are no references. There’s no technology existing to help you,” he said. “You fly blind, that’s training by rote.”

As well as that persistent difficulty pilots must also deal with the complications of landing in small bases, avoiding obstacles on the ground that could wreck the aircraft and evading the attention of the enemy, all in blistering 50C heat or sub-zero temperatures.

He said: “It’s difficult enough landing these things in the desert, let alone in a compound, at night and not landing on the troops you’ve gone to pick up in the first place. And if you become too

PARTNERS

predictable in your movements the enemy will be ready for you.

Then add the complexity of putting five aircraft in the same airspace at night and you can see there is a huge training bill that goes with it. The training burden that goes with making all this second nature is what I want people to think about.”

The role is so demanding, physically and emotionally, and such high levels of concentration are required that an aircrew’s tour is over after two months, at the end of which they are exhausted.

In the last six months training flights over East Hampshire have increased as the aircrew hone their skills, not only for combat missions but also for domestic duties, such as long-range coastal rescue and overseas emergency aid.

Its versatility means it is always in demand and the Chinook Force, the ‘Home Secretary’s 999 call’, has always been on operations over the last 28 years.

“We know Chinooks make a lot of noise and the low frequency vibration is quite intrusive, especially at night,” said Group Captain Shell. “But I think you will appreciate why we have to do a lot of flying and a lot of night flying.”

Group Captain Shell thanked the people of East Hampshire for their support and emphasised the powerful effect that support has on his Force’s morale.

“The people of East Hampshire have a huge role in this. When our guys walk through their village or parish they walk tall because you appreciate what they do. Your support is far more powerful than any equipment programme or any training programme in keeping these people doing what they do.”

EHDC Chairman Judy Onslow said she is often aware of training exercises and said the flying Chinooks should be accepted as a part of living in East Hampshire. “The work these pilots do in Afghanistan is invaluable and much of the ground work for that is laid right here in East Hampshire.”

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Successful communities

Caring for

the community East Hampshire is teeming with sports clubs, churches, village halls and special interest groups. The contribution they make to the rich variety of life in the district can not be overestimated and East Hampshire District Council is always looking to support them wherever possible.

Every year EHDC helps community groups across the district get vital projects off the ground with administrative support, expertise and through thousands of pounds in grants.

Help with repairs, refurbishments, new constructions or ongoing operational costs are all available to go-ahead groups with good ideas.

Here is just a taster of some of the organisations that have benefited from EHDC’s input over the last few months.

Interest grows in Bordon Credit Union

Cllr Julie Butler, Branch Manager Nicky Barham and East Hants MP Damian Hinds

The credit union in Whitehill Bordon has toasted the success of its first year in business with a visit from MP Damian Hinds. The ethical bank, called United Savings and Loans, was launched 12 months ago with help from EHDC to provide local people with a safer way of securing loans and saving money.

East Hampshire MP Damian Hinds, recently appointed the chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group on credit unions, visited the High Street branch on Friday to celebrate its first anniversary.

He said: “It’s been a very good year for this credit union, which is going from strength to strength. It has acquired its 400th member and hopefully that will double or triple over the next year.”

Clanfield skaters hit

Bikers, bladers and boarders rolled into Peel Park, in Clanfield, for the second Skate Jam in June. Organised primarily by 16-year-old in-line skater Harry Phelan (below) the event was supported by EHDC. Dozens of daring youngsters tried out their well-honed tricks and jumps in a bid to win the festival’s top titles.

Cllr Ken Moon, who had been deeply involved in the event, paid tribute to Harry. “I think it is absolutely superb that we have young people able to do this kind of thing,” he said.

“It has all come together really well and is exactly the sort of thing we want to see – young people pulling together their own properly managed events.”

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the heights

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Hi-tech toilets big relief to Selborne Liphook kept

blooming lovely The work of more than 30 Liphook in Bloom volunteers was rewarded with a £1,000 grant in August.

The group received the grant from EHDC towards the £8,000 or so it costs to maintain more than 100 hanging baskets, 15 containers and 16 beds, including the popular ‘smiling face’ opposite Sainsbury’s supermarket.

Carole Burns, Liphook in Bloom secretary, said: “When we started off we had no money, no knowledge and bags of enthusiasm.

The support we have had from local businesses, individuals and organisations like East Hampshire District Council is fantastic and without them and their support we couldn’t do any of it.”

Left to right: Brian Redwood, Keith Hellyer, Hayley Carter and Cllr David Parkinson officially opened the toilets

Selborne now has state of the art toilets thanks to East Hampshire District Council.

It took six years of planning between Selborne Parish Council, EHDC, the Gilbert White Museum and the National Trust and cost £156,000.

The toilets, in the car park behind the Selborne Arms, are packed with features including ‘sun tubes’ which pipe natural light into the cubicles from the roof, heated floors and sensors to operate taps, lights and flushes.

Hayley Carter, the Landlady of the Selborne Arms, said: “The old toilets were in very bad repair so this really needed doing, particularly as this is such a touristy village. I was the chairman of the parish council when this project was agreed, and we wanted to make sure the design of the toilets would really suit the village, and I’m really pleased with the results.”

Liss pupils learn to

save the planet

Swimmers

splash out

Back left: Laura James, of the Environment Centre, Cllr Elizabeth Cartwright and Liss Infant School pupils

Liss children were taught how to save the world when they were visited by environmental experts as part of the infant school’s eco-week.

A grant from EHDC paved the way for the visit from the Environment Centre, a not-for-profit charity which promotes sustainable lifestyles.

The children were taught about the value of local shopping, growing food at home, saving power, walking to school and a host of other ways of living in a more environmentally-friendly way.

Cllr Elizabeth Cartwright, EHDC Portfolio Holder for Housing and Climate Change, visited the school to see how the week progressed: “I was very impressed with the pupils who were very engaged in the sessions, contributed a lot of ideas and showed they really understand the issue,” she said.

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on new PA Cllr Allan Chick with members of Alton Swimming Club

Alton and District Swimming Club splashed out on a new public address system, partly funded by East Hampshire District Council.

Alton and District Swimming Club is very popular locally and has 400 members.

David Harris, club treasurer, said he was delighted with the new sound system. “The PA will make a huge difference to events where you need to communicate clearly. We also have a legal obligation to make health and safety announcements if necessary.”

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Successful communities

cracker Have a

of a Christmas

Sadly East Hampshire District Council has not been able to run its popular Petersfield Christmas Festival this year but there are still plenty of opportunities to have a good time during the festive season. Check out our round up of some of the district’s festivals, carol services and Christmas markets. For more yuletide happenings or to advertise your event for free, log on to www.easthampshire.org.

Liss Christmas Tree Lights. Friday 3 December at 6.30pm. There will be a short ceremony lighting up the two village centre Christmas trees. Carols will be sung around the tree and John Meader, “Villager of the Year”, will be helped by local children to switch on the lights.

Selborne Christmas in Selborne. Friday 3 December, from 6-9pm. Start your Christmas by shopping in Selborne when the High Street will be packed with local attractions as well as lots of local traders supplying festive food and drink and presents to inspire you.

Car parking will be available at either end of the village.

Selborne’s Arts and Crafts Festival. Friday 3 December, from 6-9pm and Saturday 4 December and Sunday 5 December from 11am-5pm. Peruse stalls featuring candles, scarves, jewellery, Fair Trade goods, cards, soaps and other Christmas present ideas.

Local artists will also be displaying paintings for sale and lunches and teas will be available courtesy of Selborne WI and Selborne Church.

© OLGA ALTUNINA | DREAMSTIME.COM

Queen Elizabeth Country Park Winter Wonderland. 3 December- 2 January. Get into the festive mood at Hampshire’s biggest country park, as it is transformed into a spectacular winter attraction for the first time. Christmas Winter Wonderland comes to Queen Elizabeth Country Park with its own ice rink, Santa’s Grotto, festive shopping experience, Christmas tree market and bags of festive fun and activities for kids and grown-ups alike. To book a spot on the ice rink contact 08448 440141. www.limecafe.co.uk.

Whitehill Bordon Whitehill Christmas Festival. Saturday 11 December, from 1-5pm at the Forest Centre in Bordon.

Look out for Santa’s grotto, a craft fayre, community groups, music, a jazz band, choirs and a DJ as well as street dance demos. Vintage cars, children’s fairground rides and entertainers will ensure there’s plenty for all the family to see and do.

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Beech The annual Beech Christmas Fair.

Saturday 4 December, from 10am-2pm. The fair will include a large number of stalls selling handicrafts, children’s toys, jewellery, toiletries and much, much more to make this year’s Christmas shopping easy! Entry is free – tea, mulled wine and mince pies will be available – Christmas really starts here!

Liss Liss Christmas Fair.

Wednesday 8 December, from 6-8pm.

Once again Station Road will be closed to traffic, shops will stay open late and local organisations will run stalls in the street offering fun, gifts, information and local fare. Seasonal music will be provided by Liss Junior School, Liss Band and St. Mary’s Church choir who will lead the carol singing. The Triangle will be packed with craft stalls and hospitality. For the children there will be visits from Santa, a fun fair, the village steam engine, and a model railway in the village hall. Anyone who would like to run a stall or participate in any way should contact Brian Mayo on 01730 894866 or Linda Li-Davies at the Liss Triangle Community Centre on 01730 301000.

Alton Yuletide Festival. Sunday 5 December, from 10am-4pm. The High Street and the Assembly Rooms will be bulging with stalls, gifts, crafts and charities. Street entertainers will compete for attention with reindeer, donkeys, a miniature railway and the ever-popular Santa’s Grotto. Two entertainment areas will also feature choirs and dancers.

Grayshott Christmas is Coming. Sunday 5 December, at 6pm. A light-hearted celebration of Christmas with Excelsis Choir and the choristers of St Edmund’s School Choir at St Luke’s Church.

Tickets £10 (£5 for school children), from Grayshott Books (01428 604798) or St Luke’s Church Office (01428 606703) early booking recommended.

Alton

© © ROBYN MACKENZIE | DREAMSTIME.COM

The Wonder of Christmas Concert.

11 December, at 7.30pm. An annual festive feast of seasonal music combining the musical talents of Alton Concert Orchestra, Alton Choral Society and Ancora. The evening will feature traditional and contemporary Christmas music as well as carols for the audience to sing along with. Free admission.

Arrive early to avoid disappointment.

Mulled wine and mince pies will be available in the interval and a retiring collection will be held for Homestart and Youth Work at the Harvest Church.

Waterlooville Fundraising Christmas Craft Fair. 12 December, from 1-6pm. A Christmas Shopping Experience for all the family which also raises funds for Rowans Hospice.

All your Christmas shopping under one roof plus Santa’s Grotto! Thirty stalls will offer a wide range of quality handmade crafts, including art, glass, jewellery, soaps, Christmas cards, adult and children’s gifts, face and nail painting, glitter tattoos, candles, wood, handbags and more. Come and enjoy this friendly atmosphere, complete with wheelchair access, café, mince pies, licensed bar, ample free parking and customer collection. The event is a hassle-free way of shopping for both the stall holders and the shoppers, in an atmosphere that is both fun and vibrant for the whole family. Entry by voluntary donation to Rowan’s Hospice.

Horndean Annual Carol Service. Tuesday 14 December at 7pm.

The service, run by Horndean Parish Council, will include lots of old favourites for a truly festive feel. A collection will be made for the chairman’s nominated charity: The Queen Elizabeth Parks Twinning Project. This project was created to bring together the individuals, schools and communities of Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda and Queen Elizabeth Country Park in Hampshire.

Petersfield Petersfield Museum’s Flora Twort Gallery. Saturday 18 December, 10am-4pm. £3 per child. Father Christmas is taking time out of his busy schedule to visit Petersfield, and the museum has offered him the use of the Flora Twort Gallery for the day. Come and tell him what you would like for Christmas and leave with a little present. Presents available for children aged 0 – 10 years. Tickets are available from Petersfield Museum, the Flora Twort Gallery, and The Tourist Information Office. Booking advised.

Petersfield Christmas Event! 19-21 December, from 11am-7pm daily. Visitors and shoppers from near and far will gather at Petersfield Square for a Christmas gift market, carol singers a traditional fairground organ. The children can enjoy Santa’s grotto, traditional fairground rides and the little Dallas donkeys. There will also be plenty to eat and drink from hog roast to hot dogs and from to roasted chestnuts to mulled wine.

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IN BRIEF PLANNING FOR THE The number of major planning applications received this year has grown sharply in advance of the launch of the South Downs National Park next spring.

The South Downs National Park Authority will take control of planning for more than half East Hampshire from 1 April 2011.

In the run-up to the transfer of powers East Hampshire District Council has seen an influx of planning applications, particularly larger ones.

Nationally, there has been an up-turn in the number of planning applications received since October 2009 in the region of six per cent.

East Hampshire has experienced an increase of around nine per cent over the six months since April 10 compared with the same period last year.

What has been very significant is the type of applications that have increased, with more large applications of ten or more residential units being submitted.

In the year from 1 April 2009 EHDC planners determined 26 major applications whereas in the first six months from April 2010 the planning department has already determined 35 major applications and, as of Wednesday 6 October, there were another 25 registered and progressing through the system.

Julia Mansi, EHDC Planning Development Manager, said: “The increase is partly due to the general up-turn and partly due to people wishing to have applications determined by EHDC rather than the SDNPA. “Certainly, Winchester City Council, which has a significant area in the SDNP, has also noticed a significant increase in its

workloads but this has not happened so markedly over the rest of Hampshire.”

The South Downs National Park Authority will become the Planning Authority for 57 per cent of the district on 1 April 2011, however, it is likely that EHDC will continue to determine the majority of applications for the area.

Jim Redwood, Interim Head of Planning at South Downs National Park Authority added: “There does appear to have been an upturn in applications and applicants might be anticipating the National Park Authority taking a different approach. However, we are working closely with EHDC and all the other planning authorities to ensure a smooth transition, and the policies which apply won’t change. Our aim will be to add value to planning by taking a National Park perspective on development.”

Only significant applications, those that have an impact on National Park purposes, will be determined by the SDNPA. The park is home to over 108,000 people, including large towns such as Petersfield, Midhurst, Liss and Lewes, making it by far the most populous national park in the country.

The South Downs National Park is over 1,600 km square and stretches 100 miles from the edge of Winchester to Beachy Head in East Sussex.

Only one per cent of the park is urban with approximately 85 per cent of the land area used for agriculture. 14 per cent is non agricultural (eg woodland).

Around 39 million visitor days are spent in the South Downs each year, the next highest being the New Forest with 13.5m visitor days each year.

© BRETT RABIDEAU | DREAMSTIME.COM

South Downs National Park

Home improvements can lead to a FLOOD OF PROBLEMS Residents near waterways know the dangers rising water levels pose to their property – but the Environment Agency (EA) says homeowners can sometimes be the architects of their own downfall.

Carrying out any work on a property, such as building extensions, garages and fences, or making repairs and alterations to riverbanks can cause flooding either to the altered property or to others nearby.

Such work can often have an impact on local drainage and may require the consent of the Environment Agency before it can go ahead.

Even paving over a front garden can have a surprisingly big impact on the environment, causing additional surface water run-off and potentially polluting rivers and streams.

It is always best to speak to the EA first so its experts can talk you through any work planned. The EA may consider taking enforcement action if any work near water is carried out without their permission.

They could even ask for the structure to be removed and the area returned to its previous (natural) state, all at the owner’s expense.

MORE INFORMATION

can be found on the Environment Agency’s website at www.environment-agency.gov.uk or by phoning 08708 506506.

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Successful communities

BUTSERFEST blows the crowds (and clouds) away!

What started as a fairly gloomy day on Butser Hill exploded into life on Saturday 11 September as around 2,000 music lovers rocked out to 23 bands at Butserfest.

The all-day rock festival, organised by East Hampshire District Council, gave local youngsters a chance to see some of the best local groups and up-and-coming bands.

Above: Jonny ‘Itch’ Fox of headliners The King Blues whips up the crowd Below, left to right: All smiles at Butserfest; Mike TV; The in crowd

The drug and alcohol free event, in its fourth year, is growing in profile and was even reviewed in Kerrang! magazine this year.

The festival ran from 11am to 10pm with music on two stages. The main stage featured The King Blues, We Are The Ocean, My Passion, Young Guns, Bury Tomorrow, Fei Comodo, Shadows Chasing Ghosts, Mike TV, The Theory Of 6 Degrees, 3 Ways Of Thinking, We Start Partys, As We Climb, The Light Divided and The Famous Class.

Stage two featured acts that were handpicked after impressing at Butserquest in Alton in July and three headliners, Deaf Havana, Lecarla, and The City Calls.

Between their favourite acts festival-goers tested their cycling skills on a bike track, took aim at their friends in the laser tag, expressed themselves on the graffiti wall or caused havoc with the inflatable wrecking ball.

A chill out tent and food and drink stalls gave respite from the mosh pit and fans met their heroes and bought T-shirts and souvenirs in the merchandise area.

Cllr Hilary Ayer said: “I had the pleasure of attending Butserfest again this year. The atmosphere was superb and the young people had a thoroughly good time. Some young people told me it was the best day of their lives and the event keeps getting better and better each year.”

The festival has also received positive feedback from young people and their parents through Twitter, Facebook and emails.

FOR MORE INFORMATION on Butserfest go to www.butserfest.co.uk

© JENNY ENTWISTLE

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Environment matters Whitehill Bordon has been given £9.85 million from central government because of Eco-town status. This money is being used for a variety of exciting projects in the town.

Army still expected to leave town The Ministry of Defence has been planning to relocate training from Whitehill Bordon to St Athan in South Wales. You may have heard that the MoD has cancelled its contract with the company Metrix, which was expected to provide the new base in Wales, because it wasn’t affordable.

But the MoD says that it still wants to have its training on fewer sites and that it is still hoping to move to St Athan.

Since the announcement we have received a letter from Defence Estates which clarifies its position. It states “We aim to be able to reconfirm Bordon Garrison’s release early in the New Year.”

Free insulation thanks to Eco-town funding Whitehill Bordon is the only town in the South East where homeowners can get free loft and cavity wall insulation – which will help save money on fuel bills.

The free loft and cavity wall insulation is possible thanks to Eco-town funding and could save each household up to £265 a year.

For more information please ring 0800 80 48 777 or visit www.whitehillbordon.com

Interest-free loans

to make your home more energy efficient Loans of up to £10,000 are now available to residents living in the Eco-town (which includes Whitehill Bordon and Lindford).

These loans are interest-free and the cost of your loan repayments combined with your new monthly fuel bills should cost less than your original energy bills.

The loans can be used for things like double glazing, solar panels and new boilers.

Whitehill Bordon Eco-town is part of the Low Carbon Communities Challenge and this project, run by the Department of Energy and Climate Change, is funding this scheme.

Loans are available on a first come first served basis. If you would like more information about this then please contact Eco-fit Advisor Andrew Porteus on Andrew.porteus@easthants.gov.uk or call him on 01730 234287.

Eco fitness trail

Firestation

This outdoor exercise trail is the first community facility to be completed with Eco-town funding.

The course, which opened at the end of July, stretches over half a mile in the recreation ground in Mill Chase Road.

The calorie-busting workout includes equipment which will give users a cardiovascular boost as well as strengthening exercises.

The wood used to make the trail comes from a renewable source. This minimises the impact on the environment. It is completely free to use.

This disused MoD building is being transformed into an Eco Station which will provide community and training facilities. It will also serve as an exhibition centre for the latest eco technology and there will be a dedicated area for the local natural history society.

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www.whitehillbordon.com We need you to help Exhibition house shape your town’s future We are creating groups which anyone can join and they will discuss issues in the town and make recommendations to the new 'delivery board' which will guide the regeneration of Whitehill Bordon.

If you would like to be involved then please email whitehillbordon@easthants.gov.uk

Masterplan update The evolving masterplan was published in June and it is a framework for how development should take place in the town over the next 20 years.

It has been prepared to accommodate the MoD’s total relocation as well as the partial release of land for redevelopment.

It ensures that development takes place in a considered manner while ensuring that community facilities are provided and the environment is protected.

The masterplan will be updated as new evidence comes forward – for example as a result of further work on transport or biodiversity or following comments received during public consultation.

This has been given outline planning permission and an application for the detailed design is going through the planning process.

The house will serve as an exhibition so residents can go inside and see how low-carbon living could work. It will be built in the grounds of the disused MoD Fire Station.

A biomass boiler will serve the new two-bedroom exhibition home as well as the Eco Station (the converted Fire Station) and will also be capable of providing heat to up to 25 surrounding homes.

Pupils from Bordon Junior School worked with architects on site to learn how good design can make the house cheaper to heat.

International architectural Biodiversity projects competition These include opening up ‘green’ areas so that residents can enjoy them, dredging a pond and building a boardwalk. The aim of these is to protect and enhance the town’s natural environment.

Santa’s eco-grotto

This will soon be launched.

The competition will be to design four eco-homes and aims to set the highest standard of design for homes in the town. These will be built at the Fire Station site.

Whitehill Bordon’s Christmas Festival, organised by the Whitehill Bordon Town Partnership, will be taking place on Saturday December 11 from 1-5pm at the Forest Community Centre and shopping centre. Santa will be in a new ‘eco-grotto’ which will demonstrate some of the latest environmentally-friendly technology and design. As well as the eco-grotto there will also be craft stalls, community groups, a band, choirs, a DJ and children’s fairground rides.

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Environment matters

Cllr Elizabeth Cartwright and John Charnock-Wilson

A new organisation, the East Hampshire Environment Network (EHEN), has been set up to connect, support and provide information to a wide range of environment groups across the district.

East Hampshire has many groups involved in protecting the countryside, reducing carbon emissions, growing their own food and other environmental projects. The district is also home to the Greening Campaign, The Sustainability Centre at East Meon and many other groups and individuals who are engaged in protecting the environment.

Councillor Elizabeth Cartwright, portfolio holder for Housing and Climate Change at East Hampshire District Council, said: “Sustaining and improving our environment is something we cannot do alone and initial meetings with local

New network for the environment individuals and organisations have shown that there is a lot of expertise, knowledge and commitment that we can share. The network is a means of achieving this and, as it develops, I hope it will have an important role in linking people, promoting the issue and building on action that is already taking place.”

John Charnock-Wilson, a founder member of the network, said: “East Hampshire is the ‘Big Society’ in practice.

We have many volunteers doing all sorts of things, including many that are involved in the environment in one way or another. The network aims to link these groups to provide mutual support and involvement. As a Community Interest Company EHEN will also be able to help facilitate funding and expertise for network members.”

Progress is being made on setting up the organisation and work has started on a website: www.easthampshireenvironment.net. However it is still early days and the network is open to influence from new members.

JOIN THE NETWORK If you are involved individually or as part of a group in working for a more sustainable environment the network would like to hear from you. You may be part of a local Greening Campaign, involved in protecting the countryside, or the protection of animal or plant life in the area. Whatever your interest in the local environment EHEN would love to hear from you.

Either return this form to EHEN, c/o EHDC, Penns Place, Petersfield, GU31 4EX or complete the online version at www.easthampshire-environment.net

East Hampshire Environment Network questionnaire Organisation – If appropriate

Nearest town or village

Email Telephone Activity Energy saving

Self sufficiency Recycling, re-use Conservation Bio-diversity/ecology

Clean transport Communication/education

Arts Design/construction Other

102-year-old shows us the

Please specify

Art of Recycling

Details of any forthcoming events or activities

Over the summer environmentalists, artists and school-children clubbed together to show the public how to make good use of things we would normally throw away.

The exhibition ran in Petersfield, Bordon and Alton and featured sculpture, clothes, jewellery and more, made out of recycled and discarded junk.

Pride of place was given to the work of one inspirational 102-year-old Alton man Bob Weighton (pictured) who makes children’s toys such as wooden houses and windmills out of unwanted wood.

The exhibition was displayed in Petersfield Square and Bordon’s Forest Community Centre in August and then at Alton College in September.

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What you would like the network to offer?

Knowledge of other local organisations and their activities

Fundraising advice and support Communications advice and support Specialist advice and support Joint projects and events

Your health

Food safety online

All premises will be given one of six ratings ranging from a top rating of 5 (Very Good) down to the lowest zero rating. A zero rating means that EHDC’s Food Safety Team is likely to be taking urgent action against the business to secure urgent improvements.

New businesses yet to be inspected will receive an “Awaiting Inspection” certificate. It is the council’s and the Food Standard Agency’s view that any business, no matter how small, should be able to achieve the top rating.

All ratings will be published on a national website so customers can look them up. Businesses will also be encouraged to display a certificate or sticker which reflects their rating in a conspicuous place so that customers can see it. It is hoped that customers will become accustomed to the new scheme and will look out for the rating when visiting local food shops and restaurants. It is also hoped that consumer pressure will in time act to improve food hygiene standards in East Hampshire.

The scheme is due to be launched jointly with Havant Borough Council in April 2011. Please look out for details nearer the time on the Council’s website at www.easthants.gov.uk/foodsafety.

FURTHER INFORMATION is also available at www.food.gov.uk/hygieneratings.

Consumers in East Hampshire can eat with confidence with a new online food hygiene rating system.

In April, East Hampshire District Council, in partnership with Havant Borough Council and the Food Standards Agency, plans to roll out a new national food hygiene rating scheme.

The scheme will provide consumers with at-a-glance information about the hygiene standards in local food businesses and so help them make informed choices about where to buy and eat food. For East Hampshire this new rating scheme replaces “Safe2Eat” the web-based “scores on the doors” system operated by the council for the last three years, www.safe2eat.com.

All restaurants, takeaways, cafes, sandwich shops, pubs, hotels, schools, supermarkets and other retail food outlets, as well as any other businesses where consumers can eat or buy food, will be given a rating.

The rating will be given following a food hygiene inspection carried out by a Food Safety Officer. The inspection will assess how hygienically the food is handled, the cleanliness and condition of the premises and how well food safety is managed by the business.

Get fit while you sit!

Exercise is important at any age but for older people, especially those with limited mobility, it is vital. A gentle, seated exercise routine, called chairobics, has been formed to help older people build up strength, balance and confidence.

Chairobics classes have been set up across the district and a professionally-shot DVD, with easy-to-follow activities, is available from East Hampshire District Council.

Run by trained instructors the exercises focus on improving suppleness in joints, strengthening muscles and building balance. The workouts help to maintain mobility, prevent falls and bring the feel good factor that comes with exercise.

One 90-year-old resident said using the DVD has given her renewed confidence and a greater sense of independence.

“I am coming up to 90 and have some osteoporosis at the base of the spine, and I use a tri-wheeler walker or a stick to get

about. I was putting on weight and feeling depressed about that,” she said.

“Since using the DVD, usually five or six times a week, I have lost over half a stone and feel so much better. I have been staying with my daughter in Lincoln and she noticed the change at once.

“While there I did not use my stick in the house or garden and managed to walk upstairs carrying a cup in one hand and a plate in the other! So thank you all very much indeed for the DVD which has done so much for me.”

EHDC’s Chairobics DVD is available for £11.49 plus p&p. To buy your copy contact EHDC on 01730 234390.

IF YOU WANT TO TAKE PART in one of the Chairobics classes taking place around the district then contact Louise Christie, EHDC Active Lifestyle Co-ordinator, on 01730 234067. For more information log on to: www.getactivenow.org.uk

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HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL also runs a Better Balance for Life exercise program full of simple routines you can do at home.

The exercises have been designed to be safe and manageable while also improving balance and mobility. Contact Tracey Jones, Hampshire County Council’s Falls Prevention Co-ordinator on 01962 846605 or email her at tracey.jones@hants.gov.uk.

Log onto www.hants.gov.uk/betterbalance for more information.

QUALITY SERVICES

East Hampshire will be

all white in the snow Last winter saw some of the heaviest snowfalls in years plunge East Hampshire into a total whiteout.

While children indulged in sledging and snowmen it was no fun for businesses and workers who struggled with perilous driving conditions to get the job done.

As always East Hampshire residents worked hard to help each other. Local farmers put their tractors and heavy machinery to good use clearing roads and local car parks, a 4x4 owners’ club helped to reach those in most need and residents cleared driveways and checked on their neighbours.

EHDC contractors helped out their Hampshire County Council counterparts by clearing snow and spreading grit on High Street roads and pavements and outside sheltered housing complexes, hospitals and doctors’ surgeries.

Rest centres were also set up around the district as roads, including the A3, became impassable. Sixty stranded motorists were taken to the Taro Leisure Centre by emergency services while impromptu shelters were opened in churches and local pubs.

One EHDC service seriously affected was the collection of refuse and recycling bins.

Blocked and impassable roads meant many crews were unable to get to the depots to begin their shifts. Brian Turner, EHDC’s Environmental Contracts Manager, said the

harsh conditions last year helped the council sharpen its response to potential future service interruptions.

“What we did last year, and what we will do again if we have snow this winter, is concentrate our efforts on collecting perishable refuse first and then catch up with rounds of recyclables, green waste and glass as we can,” he said.

“We understand that keeping hold of recyclables for an extra week or fortnight, especially after Christmas, can pose a storage issue for residents but we think that it’s more important to clear people’s refuse and food waste first.”

Hampshire County Council are also making plans to minimise the impact of more heavy snow this winter and are in the process of stockpiling enough salt to cover the pitch at Wembley two metres deep.

Despite this the county council’s road gritting programme will necessarily focus on the main roads which carry the bulk of Hampshire’s traffic.

Brian said bin collections can only go ahead on roads that are safely passable, so residents of rural areas may have to be patient.

“We operate a lot of rural collections on narrow and sometimes steep roads which

can be challenging at the best of times for heavy refuse vehicles, so if we are faced with poor visibility and treacherous surface conditions we will assess the overall risks and postpone collections, but only if absolutely necessary,” he said.

“We will always remain flexible in our approach and will continue to make collections in areas that may be less badly affected.”

IF THE SNOW FALLS… If you have to travel, be very careful.

Look out for older neighbours. Stay in, tune into local radio and websites such as www.easthampshire.org Bin collection crews will be working hard to catch up on missed rounds. Look for advice on www.easthampshire.org. If your collection is missed leave out your green refuse bin and it will be collected as soon as possible.

Hampshire County Council is responsible for gritting and clearing roads. They will concentrate on A roads. More information will be found on www.hants.gov.uk For non-emergency calls about potentially vulnerable older people, contact Hampshire County Council on 0845 603 5633.

These pictures were sent in to EHDC’s community website www.easthampshire.org by readers last winter. Send in your pictures of community events and local happenings to news@easthants.gov.uk. Left to right: View of Grayshott from Carol Wass; Tony Innes, Governor of Four Marks Primary School, sent in this pic of a snowman built by optimistic pupils; Julie Roberts, of Alton, took this spectacular pic; Val Mitchell's pic shows the fun on Rowlands Castle Village Green.

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Going back to work

© RMARMION | DREAMSTIME.COM

doesn’t mean giving up all your benefits People who have been unemployed for a long time can find getting back into work difficult and daunting, especially if they will not be significantly better off financially.

But going back to work doesn’t mean giving up all benefits.

Residents getting help while unemployed may be able to continue to receive some benefits up to four weeks after returning to work.

Those receiving help with their housing costs and claiming income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance or Income Support, for at least 26 weeks continuously before starting work, may continue to get the following benefits for up to four weeks: Extended Payment of Housing Benefit Extended Payment of Council Tax Benefit Mortgage Interest Run On An Extended Payment of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit means that you continue to receive help for up to four weeks when you start a new job and begin earning a wage.

You may be able to continue to get Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit after this time depending on your income and circumstances. Parents may get extra help with child care costs, and single parents may get In Work Credit. Any child maintenance and Child Benefit you get won’t affect your Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit.

Mortgage Interest Run On is an extra four weeks of money you can get towards paying your housing costs if certain other benefits are stopping because you’re returning to work, earning or working more hours.

In this example the couple have to pay £11.62 rent and £3.58 Council Tax, but they are still better off by £50.08 a week**

TO FIND OUT MORE Visit the Benefits Adviser at www.direct.gov.uk/benefitsadviser to see an estimate of the benefits you may get, if you’re in or out of work Visit www.direct.gov.uk/workingbenefits to find out more about benefits and help when going back to work Visit http://backtowork.direct.gov.uk/ job-coach.html for support and advice to help you get back to work Visit www.direct.gov.uk/employment to contact your local Jobcentre Plus, or you can phone 0800 055 6688. If you find it hard to speak or hear clearly a textphone is available on 0800 023 4888. Lines are open from 8am to 8pm, Monday to Friday Visit www.easthants.gov.uk/benefits to find out more about Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit or you can phone our Customer Services Team on 01730 234175. If you have problems hearing, our minicom number is 01730 234103. Lines are open from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday

YOU CAN BE BETTER OFF WORKING – TAKE A LOOK BELOW: A couple with one child working 16 hours a week on the minimum wage Not working Job Seeker’s Allowance ...................................£102.75 Child Tax Credit ..........................................................£54.67 Child Benefit ..................................................................£20.30

Working Earnings ............................................................................£94.88 Child Tax Credit ........................................................£54.67 Child Benefit ................................................................£20.30 Working Tax credit................................................£73.15 Weekly income ........................................................£177.72 Weekly income ......................................................£243.00

** This information is only a guide and does not cover every circumstance

Getting involved Calendar of council meetings Council Cabinet Overview & Scrutiny People Overview & Scrutiny Place Overview & Scrutiny Organisation Community Forum (Petersfield) Community Forum (Clanfield) Community Forum (Whitehill/Bordon) Community Forum (Alton) South Planning Thursday North Planning Thursday

Nov 2010 10 23 24 25 2 3 9 16 4 18

Dec 2010 7

Jan 2011

Feb 2011 22

26

12 (Budget) 4 11 18 25 2 6 16 20

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Mar 2011

Apr 2011

30 8 9 10

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12 13 14 1 8 15 22 3 17

7/28 21

All council meetings are open to the public – so why not come along?

All meetings shown left start at 6.30 pm.

Venues: Council, Cabinet, South Planning, Overview & Scrutiny and Community Forum Petersfield are held at Penns Place, Petersfield. Please contact Democratic Services on 01730 234073 to ask for venue details for all other meetings.

IN BRIEF

Pavements and pitches DOGGED BY FOULING Young sportsmen have called foul on dog owners who don’t clean up after their pets.

Young footballers and rugby players have shown their support for East Hampshire District Council’s bid to tackle the dog poo that blights the district’s pavements and playing fields.

Steve Jenkins, the Alton u13s team coach, said dog fouling is a regular problem at his team’s training ground on Anstey Park.

“Before training we do a big sweep of the area but if the grass is long it’s easy to miss and then you can have a pile of boys covered in dogs’ mess, which isn’t nice,” he said.

“There are a number of dog waste bins around Anstey Park so there’s really no excuse for it.

We’re looking for dog owners to take responsibility and pick it up rather than leaving it on these pitches.”

EHDC’s campaign was part of a nationwide push run by

Keep Britain Tidy. It featured the cheeky slogan ‘There’s no such thing as the dog poo fairy’ to remind dog owners that if they don’t clean it up, no one will.

Headley Youth Football Club also supported the campaign. East Hampshire District Councillor Anthony Williams said: “This affects everyone who uses the playing fields but I think we have a particular responsibility for the younger footballers. It’s a problem that has been going on for many years but one that I hope is not insoluble”.

Throughout the month-long campaign, over late September and early October, EHDC dog wardens spoke to a large number of dog walkers about the problem, urging them to report owners who do not clean up after their dogs working to improve local awareness of the legislation and how it is enforced.

EHDC Dog Warden Dave Griffiths said: “It is unpleasant, anti-social and selfish, not to mention illegal, to leave your dog’s waste on public land. It is especially unfair to leave dog waste on sports pitches where young people are likely to play. We take this very seriously at EHDC.

Clive Harrod, of Headley Youth Football Club, Shea the dog and young Headley footballers calling foul on dog mess “We would urge all dog owners to do the responsible thing and pick up after their pets. They can drop the bag in either a dog waste or general litter bin, although not a recycling bin. Leaving a bag of dog mess on the ground is not complying with the law.”

Partnership provides new parking powers The parking problems that have congested East Hampshire’s streets could soon be resolved thanks to the partnership with Havant Borough Council. The two councils have agreed to share parking enforcement, a move which could see both councils avoid costs and make savings of approximately £90,000 a year.

Traditionally on-street parking has been managed by the police and currently East Hampshire District Council only enforces off-street parking in its public car parks. In March 2010 EHDC applied for powers of Civil Parking Enforcement (CPE), a process which could take up to 18 months but will ultimately give the council the power to ticket illegally parked cars.

East Hampshire District Council Leader, Cllr Patrick Burridge, said the agreement showed what can be achieved through

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partnership working. “I am delighted EHDC and HBC will be able to work together on parking enforcement,” he said. “In sharing the service with Havant we can avoid much of the set-up and infrastructure costs which we would incur if we went alone, as well as reducing day-to-day operational costs. This is an excellent example of the new possibilities opened up by this partnership and residents of both areas will reap the benefits.”

It is hoped the shared service will begin in December 2011 when it is anticipated the Department for Transport will grant EHDC parking powers. The continued partnership working between Havant Borough Council and East Hampshire District Council will see real benefits for residents as efficiency savings are made by sharing expertise and resources.

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Bentley Froyle Lasham Shalden

Binsted

Bentworth Alton

Wield

Your district councillors All district councillors are members of one of East Hampshire’s four community forums – details below. To check dates and venues for meetings please contact Democratic Services on 01730 234073.

COMMUNITY FORUM – PETERSFIELD, LISS AND SURROUNDING VILLAGES

Liss

Froxfield Steep

Petersfield Stroud Langrish East Meon Buriton

Ian Dowdle Con Whitehill Clanfield (Pinewood) Tel 01420 478324 E iand55@sky.com Horndean Philip Drury Lib Dem Whitehill Rowlands Castle (Hogmoor) Tel 07826 222126 E philipdrury5@btconnect.com Zoya Faddy Lib Dem Whitehill (Chase) Tel/fax 01962 841127 Mobile 07771 488858 E zoya.faddy@gmail.com Eve Hope Con Bramshott & Liphook Tel 01428 727567 E evehouseofhope@btopenworld.com Anna James Con Bramshott & Liphook Tel 01428 723002 E anna.james@easthants.gov.uk Sam James Con Bramshott & Liphook Tel 01428 723002 E sam.james@easthants.gov.uk Richard Millard Con Headley Tel 01428 717906 E richard.millard@easthants.gov.uk Tony Muldoon Lib Dem Whitehill (Deadwater) Tel 01420 472064 E am48@btinternet.com Yvonne Parker Smith Con Lindford Tel 01420 489974 E yvonne.parker-smith@easthants.gov.uk Anthony Williams Con Headley Tel 01428 712809 fax: 01420 477793 E awilliams@ajwfca.fsnet.co.uk

Chairman: Cllr. Judy Onslow Vice Chairman: Cllr. John West Venue: Council Chamber, Penns Place, Petersfield Bob Ayer Con Petersfield (Rother) Tel 01730 265135 fax: 01730 266571 E bob@rayer.demon.co.uk Hilary Ayer Con Petersfield (St Peters) Tel 01730 265135 fax: 01730 266571 E hilary.ayer@easthants.gov.uk Julie Butler Con Petersfield (Heath) Tel 01730 300751 E julie.butler@easthants.gov.uk Elizabeth Cartwright Con Liss Tel/fax 01730 892311 E elizabeth.cartwright@easthants.gov.uk Anne Claxton Lib Dem Petersfield (Causeway) Tel 01730 261213 E anne.claxton@easthants.gov.uk Jennifer Gray Con Froxfield and Steep (Colemore and Priors Dean, Froxfield, Steep and Stroud) Tel 01730 821904 E steeples@easynet.co.uk Gina Logan Con Liss Tel 01730 893690 E gina.logan@easthants.gov.uk Judy Onslow Con The Hangers and Forest (Greatham, Hawkley, Liss Forest) Tel 01420 538159 E judyonslow@btinternet.com David Parkinson Con East Meon (Buriton, East Meon and Langrish) Tel 01730 823608 E david.parkinson@easthants.gov.uk Guy Stacpoole Con Petersfield (St Marys) Tel 01420 474440 E guy.stacpoole@easthants.gov.uk John West Con Petersfield (Bell Hill) Tel 01730 260028 E john.west@easthants.gov.uk

COMMUNITY FORUM – ALTON AND SURROUNDING VILLAGES Chairman: Cllr. Chris Graham Vice Chairman: Cllr. Glynis Watts Venue: Contact 01730 234073 for details Pam Bradford Lib Dem Alton (Eastbrooke) Tel/fax 01420 82970 E pam.bradford@easthants.gov.uk Patrick Burridge Con Downland (Beech, Bentworth, Chawton, Farringdon, Wield) Tel/fax 01420 88668 E patrick.burridge@ukgateway.net Ken Carter Con Binsted and Bentley Tel 01420 22576 E ken.carter@easthants.gov.uk Allan Chick Lib Dem Alton (Whitedown) Tel/fax 01420 86101 E allan.chick@googlemail.com Maureen Comber Con Selborne (Kingsley, Selborne, Worldham) Tel 01420 472318 E maureen.comber@easthants.gov.uk Christopher Graham Con Ropley & Tisted (East Tisted, Newton Valence, Ropley and West Tisted) Tel 01962 772685 E christopher.graham@easthants.gov.uk Jerry Janes Lib Dem Alton (Wooteys) Tel/fax 01420 87010 E jerrymjj@tiscali.co.uk Maurice Johnson MBE Con Four Marks and Medstead Tel/fax 01420 563329 E maurice.johnson@easthants.gov.uk Andrew Joy Con Alton (Ashdell) Tel 01420 85251 E andrew.joy@easthants.gov.uk Tony Ludlow Lib Dem Alton (Amery) Tel/fax 01420 83922 E tony.ludlow@googlemail.com Patricia Seward Con Four Marks and Medstead Tel 01420 562783 E pat@bsps1.plus.com John Smith Lib Dem Alton (Westbrooke) Tel 01420 83281 E john.smith@easthants.gov.uk Glynis Watts Con Holybourne and Froyle (Froyle, Lasham, Shalden, Holybourne) Tel 01252 718437 E glynis.watts@easthants.gov.uk

COMMUNITY FORUM – CLANFIELD, HORNDEAN AND ROWLANDS CASTLE Chairman: Cllr. Marjorie Harvey Vice Chairman: Cllr. Dorothy Denston Venue: Contact 01730 234073 for details Michael Ashton Lib Dem Horndean (Murray) Tel 023 9259 6953 E mikeashton1@googlemail.com Samantha Darragh Lib Dem Clanfield and Finchdean Tel 023 9259 2072 E sam.darragh@easthants.gov.uk Dorothy Denston Con Horndean (Hazleton and Blendworth) Tel 023 9259 4127 E dorothydenston@yahoo.co.uk Kenneth Graham Lib Dem Horndean (Kings) Tel 023 9257 1046 E ken.graham@easthants.gov.uk Marjorie Harvey Con Rowlands Castle Tel 023 9241 3858 E margieanddave@aol.com Julia Marshall Con Horndean (Downs) Tel 023 9257 0249 E julia.marshall@easthants.gov.uk Ken Moon Con Clanfield and Finchdean Tel 023 9259 9602 E ken.moon@easthants.gov.uk Sara Schillemore Con Horndean (Catherington and Lovedean) Tel 023 9278 7464 E saraschillemore@ntlworld.com

COMMUNITY FORUM – WHITEHILL/BORDON, LIPHOOK, HEADLEY, GRAYSHOTT, LINDFORD Chairman: Cllr. Yvonne Parker Smith Vice Chair: Cllr. Anthony Williams Venue: Contact 01730 234073 for details Adam Carew Lib Dem Whitehill (Walldown) Tel 01420 769098 E adam.carew@easthants.gov.uk Ferris Cowper Con Grayshott Tel 01428 609858 E ferris.cowper@easthants.gov.uk

PARTNERS

Kingsley Beech Headley Chawton Worldham Lindford Medstead Grayshott Farringdon Bramshott Four Marks Newton Selborne Whitehill Valence and Ropley East Tisted Liphook Greatham Colemore and West Tisted Priors Dean Hawkley

23

MAGAZINE

Recycling, refuse, glass, garden and clinical waste

r a e Y w e N & s a m t is r Ch

s e t a d n o i t c e l l co Your bins will be collected on your normal collection day over the Christmas and New Year period.

We will collect on Bank Holidays.

Please remember to leave your bin/box/sack out by 7am on your normal collection day.

The council ofďŹ ces will be open on the following days over the festive season: Fri 24 Dec, 9am-1pm Wed 29 Dec, 9am-5pm Thu 30 Dec, 9am-5pm Fri 31 Dec, 9am-1pm Normal opening times resume from Tue 4 Jan 2011, 9am-5pm.

If there is a problem and we are unable to collect your bin/box/ sack, please leave it out and we will collect it as soon as we can.

To ďŹ nd out your normal collection day and calendar number, go to www.easthants.gov.uk/bins and type in your postcode.

Your 2011 collection calendar is with this magazine.

If you use our Garden Waste Collection Service you can put out your Christmas tree in January with your sack.