News around Hampshire

What are you doing on 4 June?

Hopefully, casting your vote for the next election. On 4 June 2009 there will be another local election. County Council elections happen every four years and this time the local elections will coincide with the European ones.

Why should I vote?

Voting gives you a say on important issues that affect you – everything from roads and recycling in your area, to education and climate change.

Who represents me?

There are 78 county councillors, who are elected every four years – some of them may also serve on their district or local council. In Hampshire, there are 75 wards. In each of the divisions, candidates (members of the public) will stand for election, usually representing a political party. Whoever receives the most votes will be elected and become a County Councillor. Find out who your local County Councillor is or call 0845 603 5638.

What do I do now?

If you have already registered, you will receive a ballot card from your local council – details of the polling station will be on your card. If you haven’t registered, you need to get in touch with your local council’s electoral registration office. You can do this by calling your local borough or district council or visit about my vote.

Autism cards

The Hampshire Autistic Society, in partnership with Hampshire Constabulary, have launched the Autism Alert Card, aimed at supporting people with Autism Spectrum Disorder. The purpose of the card is to help someone if they find themselves in a situation where they cannot easily explain their behaviour, and give some simple advice, their name and emergency contact details.

Andrew Monaghan, CEO of Hampshire Autistic Society explains: “The Alert Card enables people to get the support they need, when they need it most and to raise the general understanding of the condition across the country."

For more information, visit Hampshire Autistic Society or email Outreach or call 023 8063 3951.

Planning for the future

Did you know, Hampshire’s Children and Young People’s Plan for 2009-2012 will be published on 3 April 2009? The plan sets out how the County Council and its partners will improve outcomes for all children and young people within the county.

The guiding principle of the plan is that every child in Hampshire really does matter. It represents a shared commitment to unlocking the potential of every child and young person and providing support to ensure success in their adult lives.

Consultations were carried out on the draft strategy and feedback from parents/carers, children and young people, partners and other professionals has been carefully analysed to inform the final plan.

You can view the plan, or to request a hard copy email Children's Services. Alternatively, phone 01962 845375.

Helping you use a computer

The thought of using a computer can be daunting for older people. Where as youngsters who have grown up with them at home and school make it look so easy!

We have developed a set of friendly web pages to help you learn how to use the internet, find information or shop online, use a digital camera and much more. You can find links to these on our Silver Surfers website with details of Hampshire’s Silver Surfer campaign. This will run again in May 2009, with events taking place all around the county. Many local libraries also run sessions on computer skills throughout the year.

For more information about visit the Silver Surfers website, ask at your local library or contact us on 01962 846971.

Hampshire’s the tops for quitters

More people in Hampshire are giving up smoking than anywhere else in the south central region – and that’s official!

Laura Rothery, who runs the successful Hampshire Primary Care Trust Quit4Life service, explains: “Success in Hampshire is directly linked to the wide range of flexible support available including ‘ongoing sessions’ and one-to-one help, at times and locations to suit everyone. Quit4Life advisers have wide experience of helping people to quit smoking and understand the difficulties as well as the support required to successfully quit.“

For more advice on stopping smoking go to Quite4life call 0845 602 4663, text QUIT to 60123 or contact your GP.

Pothole busters back on the road again

While the County Council was able to rise to the challenge of keeping Hampshire moving during February’s extreme weather – with 100 staff working shifts day and night, 45 gritters spreading an unprecedented 5,000 tonnes of salt over 31,000 miles of roads in five days, and even fitting snow ploughs to nearly 90 farmers’ tractors – the snow and water has taken a toll on the highway surfaces.

Pothole Busters teams, out in force since last autumn, are now working again to repair potholes and verges. Wet and cold weather and the constant freezing and thawing of the road surfaces is the major cause of potholes, along with heavy traffic. Bearing in mind Hampshire is the third largest shire county in the country, with nearly 6,000 miles of roads to maintain, fixing fast-forming potholes remains a key priority.

Wiping out weeds

Highways maintenance teams will soon be out and about across Hampshire working on the first weed killing of the year. Teams of up to 30 people hand spray over 2,300 miles of kerbed roads and adjacent footways and 248 miles of remote footpaths, walking the routes and treating visible weeds.

Treated twice a year, the first spray is from April to June and the second from August to October. The work is weather dependent and cannot be done in high winds and rain.

Amey, the County Council’s highways contractor, is responsible for weed control in eight of the county’s 11 districts. Havant, Eastleigh and Basingstoke carry out their own weed control.