Hampshire Now - your County Council magazine

News around Hampshire County Council

Changes to Minerals and Waste Core Strategy

We need sand, gravel and other materials to build and maintain houses, roads, schools and businesses to ensure Hampshire continues to prosper. Responsible for planning the long-term supply of these ‘minerals’ with Southampton and Portsmouth City Councils and the New Forest National Park Authority, we are working to balance the impact of mineral extraction with the need to protect Hampshire’s landscape and communities.

The Hampshire Minerals and Waste Core Strategy was adopted in 2007. Part of a ‘folder’ of documents that form the statutory planning policies, the Core Strategy now needs to be changed to reflect a number of recent developments. These include the revision of several policies following a legal challenge by Associated British Ports (ABP) in 2008, and other changes relating to the Government’s review of Hampshire’s share of minerals for the south east.

The County Council will be inviting people to comment later in the autumn. More information is available from the minerals and waste web pages, or contact 0845 603 5638.

Hantsweb Awards

Nominations for the seventh annual Hantsweb Awards are now open. Websites will be judged across 12 varied categories and are open to everyone. Winning websites will be announced at a gala ceremony in February 2010. For more information, visit the Hantsweb Awards web pages.

UKYP Elections

Are you aged 11-18 and ready to stand up and be the voice of young people across Hampshire?Young people can stand to be candidates for the UK Youth Parliament (UKYP) elections, representing Hampshire on the six seats available. The person who comes second in each by-election will be elected as the deputy member for the area.

No formal qualification is required to become a Member of Youth Parliament (MYP), but candidates must be committed to the post for a year and to young people’s issues. MYPs will also be expected to participate fully in the County Council’s Youth Council.

We are also looking for places where young people attend that could become polling stations during the elections that will take place between 16 and 27 November.

If you are able to help, or would like more information, please contact Lynne Meechan, Participation Officer on 01962 845312.

Swine flu guidance

Hampshire County Council is keeping a close watch on the swine flu situation with the National Health Service and the Health Protection Agency, and plans are in place to maintain key services if the number of cases escalates over the autumn months.

Detailed advice and the latest information can be found on the Direct Gov website, or by calling the national Swine Flu information line on 0800 1 513 100, which is staffed between 8am and midnight.

Online services

Did you know that Hampshire has a wide range of online services available to you? Here are a few examples of our most popular. Why not give them a try?

Renew your library book online.

Enjoy walking? If you spot a problem such as a blocked path report it online at www.hants.gov.uk/rowproblem.

If there’s an issue with a streetlight, pothole, traffic light or any other road problem visit www.hants.gov.uk/highwaydefects.

Need a copy of your birth certificate? Visit www.hants.gov.uk/registration-certificates, where you can order marriage and death certificates as well.

Drive a van? Use the local tip? You will need a waste permit. Apply online at www.hants.gov.uk/wastepermits.

Due to start school in September 2010? Moving up to junior or secondary school? Strict deadlines apply. Please visit www.hants.gov.uk/admissions.

Find out more about services and events in your area at www.hants.gov.uk.

Transforming education in Hampshire

Hampshire County Council has been selected to join the Government’s Building Schools for the Future programme, aimed at transforming secondary education throughout the country through significant investment in school buildings and ICT (Information and Communications Technology).

In the first phase of Hampshire’s programme, around £80 million will be received to rebuild, remodel or refurbish nine schools and one education centre in Havant and Horndean.

Building Schools for the Future is far more than a building programme. It also aims to transform teaching and learning and place schools at the heart of their communities. The County Council is developing its ‘Strategy for Change’, which will outline the vision for 21st-century schools in the county. A consultation to inform the strategy will be open from 1 September.

We are especially interested in the views of residents in Havant, Horndean and Gosport.

Electric blanket testing

The Trading Standards Service will be offering free electric blanket testing at 15 venues across the county for three weeks from Monday 5 October to Friday 23 October. Call 01962 833358 for an appointment – you will need to book as the events are very popular!

Streetlighting in the spotlight

A £225 million 25-year project to replace the streetlighting in Hampshire is due to start at the beginning of next year.

The work programme for renewing all streetlights over 15 years old is now being planned. This will be carried out during the first five years of the contract, with the remaining 20 years for the operation and maintenance of the new equipment. The benefits include:

  • clearer white light

  • less light pollution of the night sky

  • reduced carbon emissions

  • improved public safety, and

  • more efficient use of energy.