Wednesday, 19 June 2013

Hampshire's Minerals and Waste Plan has now reached the final stage before adoption, with the independent Planning Inspector confirming the Plan has been found to be 'sound' (meaning it has been positively prepared, justified, effective and is consistent with national policy).

The final Inspector's Report states that the draft Plan is 'sound', subject to the implementation of the modifications considered during the public hearing:

"I conclude that with the recommended main modifications set out in the Appendix the Hampshire Minerals and Waste Plan would satisfy the requirements of Section 20(5) of the 2004 Act and meet the criteria for soundness in the National Planning Policy Framework," he said.

The Inspector, Mr Andrew S. Freeman, who was appointed by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, has put together his final Report following scrutiny of the draft Hampshire Minerals and Waste Plan at the public examination hearings held in June 2012 and March 2013. The modifications recommended by the Inspector for inclusion in the Plan have been made after full consideration of the representations on these issues.

Councillor Seán Woodward Executive Member for Economy, Transport and Environment at Hampshire County Council, said: "The Planning Inspector has confirmed that he considers the plan to be a sound document and suitable for all the Hampshire authorities to adopt as planning policy. Once adopted it will replace existing policy - the 'Hampshire Minerals and Waste Core Strategy' - and all future planning applications for minerals and waste development will be assessed and determined on the basis of the policies in the Hampshire Minerals and Waste Plan. The Hampshire Minerals and Waste Plan will play a crucial role in protecting our environment and communities over the next 20 years. This includes ensuring the local economy is supported by enabling an adequate supply of minerals and sustainably managing Hampshire's waste.

Hampshire's draft Plan has been prepared in partnership with Southampton City Council, Portsmouth City Council and the New Forest and South Downs National Park Authorities, as part of their statutory responsibility for minerals and waste planning. The effects on surrounding areas have also been considered, including regular liaison with the relevant councils and communities.

• More information about the draft Hampshire Minerals and Waste Plan, the public examination and the Inspectors Report

Thursday, 13 June 2013

Recycle for Hampshire, a campaign that raises awareness and encourages people to recycle more, is urging Hampshire residents during Recycle Week to recycle their small, portable electrical items such as kettles, mobile phones, irons and toasters. With the chance of winning an iPad Mini or Kindle Fire there's no reason not to recycle your unwanted or burnt out electricals this Recycle Week (17-21 June).

Collection events are being held in Eastleigh, the New Forest, Havant and Portsmouth where you can drop off your small electrical goods and enter a prize draw to win an iPad or a Kindle. Details of all events and accepted items are available from the participating local councils themselves or from the Recycle for Hampshire twitter feed @RecycleHants.

Chair of the Project Integra waste partnership's Strategic Board, Councillor Leslie Keeble, said:

"Most people actively recycle a lot of things like paper and metals, but don't realise how easy it is to recycle electrical items too. You can take old and broken electricals to any of our 26 Household Waste Recycling Centres in Hampshire all year round as they all have special collection containers for them. Plenty of local charities will also accept them if they're reusable.

"It's vital that we recycle as many of our broken electrical goods as possible. Each year in the UK we go through 1.2 million tonnes of electrical waste the equivalent of 150,000 double-decker buses which would fill Wembley Stadium to the brim six times and a typical domestic iron contains enough steel to make as many as 13 food cans.

"I am proud of our recycling record in Hampshire and with the efforts of local residents we have reduced landfill by almost 90% in the period from 2001/02 to 2011/12. During last year's Recycle Week we collected 4,200 items, or seven and a half tonnes, across the county and it would be fantastic if we could dig out all our old small electricals and beat that record this year."

• Recycle for Hampshire

Wednesday, 05 June 2013

Hampshire County Council is backing a new campaign that aims to raise awareness of the dangers of Secondhand Smoke to children and to encourage smokers to stop smoking in their home and car.

Secondhand Smoke is emitted every time someone smokes and is a mix of 4,000 chemical compounds, irritants and toxins, and contains 50 known carcinogens. Children are particularly vulnerable to Secondhand Smoke. Nationally each year, smoking causes an extra 300,000 GP visits and 9,500 hospital admissions for children - and an additional cost to the NHS of £26 million.

The 'Smokefree Homes and Cars' campaign has been launched this week by Public Health England and highlights the fact that Secondhand Smoke, at home or in the car, puts children at increased risk of lung disease, meningitis and cot death. It aims to help people learn more about the dangers of Secondhand Smoke and protect others from the effects.

In Hampshire estimated smoking rates vary from 13.6 per cent in Test Valley to 24.3 per cent in Rushmoor. To help motivate smokers to quit, the campaign offers a free Smokefree Kit, which includes information, guidance and tools to help people stop smoking.

Councillor Liz Fairhurst's name, Executive Lead Member for Health and Wellbeing at Hampshire County Council said:

"Over eighty percent of Secondhand Smoke is invisible and has no smell, so even if the air looks clean and clear your children could still be exposed to harmful cancer-causing toxins and poisons.

"Children are at an increased risk from second hand smoke because not only do they breath faster and so take in more toxins than adults, but also their immune systems are not as developed and so protect them less.

"No level of Secondhand Smoke is safe for children and this is a great time and an excellent reason, for the two thirds of smokers who want to quit, to take the first steps to a smoke-free life. Not only will this have a positive impact on your children's health but it will mean that they will be less likely to smoke themselves - children of smokers are ninety per cent more likely to smoke themselves."

For more information on stopping smoking ask your GP or go to Quit4Life, or order your free Smokefree Kit.

• Advice to help you stop smoking - NHS SmokeFree

Monday, 03 June 2013

Construction of a new Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC) for Havant at Harts Farm Way will begin on 10 June. The current site will remain open to residents until the new site is ready for use.

The new HWRC will be built on land between the existing site and Harts Farm Way and features a split level layout that will make it quicker and easier for local residents to deposit their household waste and recyclables. Site users will not have to climb up steps any longer as the bins are set at the lower level. Capacity will also be increased from the current 6 to 14 bins as well as additional upper level storage for other types of waste, such as old fridges and freezers.

A further benefit of the split level layout is that full waste containers can be removed and replaced without having to temporarily close the public access area, as is the case from time to time at the existing site, so that servicing vehicles can reach the containers directly from the lower level, both reducing traffic congestion and also ensuring that the HWRC can operate without interruption. The access road will feature an on-site stacking lane that can accommodate up to 46 cars, and there will be car parking spaces for up to 19 cars including two disabled bays.

Councillor Seán Woodward, Executive Member for Economy, Transport and Environment, said: "Household Waste Recycling Centres are among Hampshire County Council's most widely used public services with more than four million people visiting them each year. Havant's current HWRC is no longer large enough to cope with the level of usage it receives, and consequently during busy periods it can get very congested.

"The new site will be a big improvement with more capacity and better segregation between householders and operational vehicles. When it opens it will help local people to recycle more material, more safely and therefore reduce waste, making a further contribution to Hampshire's table-topping record of diverting over 90 per cent of household waste from landfill."

The new HWRC will be built by Geoffrey Osborne Ltd and is expected to be completed by November 2013. The cost to build the new HWRC is approximately £943,000, funded from the County Council's capital programme.

• Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs)

Thursday, 30 May 2013

An ambitious programme that replaces Hampshire's streetlights with the latest energy efficient equipment to reduce energy consumption and cut carbon emissions has marked its third anniversary of a five-year programme.

In partnership with SSE Contracting Lighting Services, Hampshire County Council is replacing 150,000 streetlights, illuminated signs and bollards with the latest in lighting technology. Started in April 2010, the project has so far seen almost 39,000 complete units (lamp posts and lanterns) and a further 36,000 lanterns replaced or updated.

As part of the project, 50,000 remote monitoring systems have also been fitted to the upgraded streetlamps, which give the ability to dim the lights remotely, report faults automatically and alter the switch-on/off times to reduce energy consumption.

This combination of energy-efficient lights and remote dimming has already reduced Hampshire's annual streetlight consumption by 8 million kWh (from a pre-project figure of 50m kWh per year to a current figure of 42m kWh per year). This saving is enough to power over 1,400 homes for a whole year. From 2015 the total annual energy saving is estimated to further increase from 8 million to 16 million kWh per year or the equivalent of 8,000 metric tonnes of emitted carbon: As all large public and private sector organisations are obliged to pay for their carbon emissions (currently £16 per metric tonne of emitted carbon) this represents further savings for Hampshire's residents.

The new streetlights produce a whiter and more focused light which makes it easier to see at night, as well as helping to reduce road accidents and prevent crime. LED lights are being installed in the two National Parks to minimise light pollution.

Cllr Seán Woodward, Executive Member for Economy, Transport and Environment at Hampshire County Council said:

"It's great news that we are on track with our programme to replace all of Hampshire's streetlights. At a time when fuel costs are rising, and our services need to be even more efficient, this project is lighting the way and ensuring that Hampshire's streetlamps stay on. This long-term programme is already delivering real benefits to Hampshire's residents such as helping to reduce road accidents and prevent crime, as well as saving money and reducing carbon emissions."

• Street Lighting and the Private Finance Initiative (PFI) contract

Wednesday, 29 May 2013

Following the extreme weather last winter and the promise of summer at last, highways teams across Hampshire are busy trimming spring growth on verges during the annual grass cutting season.

Good visibility is vital for motorists and other road users and so it is important to trim back verges to maintain clear lines of sight. Verge cutting is also timed to manage designated Road Verges of Ecological Importance which have identified rare flower species. These verges are cut either early in the season during April, to reduce invasive plants such as thistles or vigorous grasses that may have taken hold over the winter, or in late September so that rare species have had time to flower and set seed for the next year.

Verge cutting is undertaken in both rural and urban areas. In general rural grass verges are defined as areas with speed limits of 40mph and above and are cut by the county council's highways term contractor Amey who use local sub contractors. Urban grass verges tend to be on roads with a speed limit of 30mph or lower and are cut by the 11 district councils in Hampshire on behalf of the County Council.

Rural grass cutting is carried out twice a year, with the first cut normally taking place in May and June. The second cuts starts in early September and should be completed by the middle of October. Work on most of the rural road verges consists of a one metre wide cut but at junctions, bends and in front of traffic signs the grass is cut back further to ensure good visibility for motorists. In addition, the remaining areas of verge are cut once every three years in rotation, in order to prevent them from becoming overgrown.

Cllr Seán Woodward, Executive Member for Economy, Transport and Environment at Hampshire County Council said:

"Hampshire has almost 6,000 miles of road and over 2,000 miles of them are covered by the rural grass cutting programme and the same if not more in urban areas. Good visibility for all road users is critical and so it is important to make sure that our verges are trimmed. We balance this with the need to ensure that plant and wildlife habitats of special interest are protected and, with sensible timing, managed verge cutting can support wildflowers and rare species."

"This is a very busy time for our grass cutting contractors so please be patient if you get stuck behind a slow moving vehicle. We always try to keep any inconvenience to road users to a minimum but the work to keep our roads and verges in good condition is in everyone's interest."

• Maintenance of road verges

Friday, 24 May 2013

I'm delighted to have been appointed Executive Member for Economy, Transport and Environment for Hampshire County Council.

Addressing traffic issues around Stubbington and access to the enterprise zone at Daedalus are very important local matters, and one of the first things I will be doing in my new role is to commission further work in relation to proposals for Stubbington By-pass. The first steps will be a review and updating of technical work, and an initial consultation on the development of options for a highways scheme around Stubbington, linking to Segensworth and the A27.

It's important that we work on proposals to bring forward scheme development so that we're in a position to bid for Government funding at the earliest opportunity. I recognise that the development of a second strategic highway access to the Gosport peninsula remains vitally important to the area's long term economic prosperity and to improving the quality of life for local residents.

I want us to work closely with the local community who are already experiencing the impact of traffic on the local highway network, and I will be considering proposals early next month for extending our planned consultation on the proposed Newgate Lane improvements to also consider initial ideas for a wider by pass for Stubbington.

The development of improved access for the Enterprise Zone at Daedalus, via the proposed Newgate Lane scheme is the immediate priority, and we have secured widespread support and a funding package to start this work in 2014. Any wider scheme proposed for Stubbington will need to complement this work and support the development of the Enterprise Zone.

I am very pleased to be working closely on these issues with our influential local MP Caroline Dineage, who said

"I've been campaigning for large-scale improvements to the local roads in and around the Gosport peninsula since my election, recently showing a Transport Minister first-hand the problems motorists have to endure on a daily basis.

I'm delighted that Seán Woodward's Transport Department at Hampshire County Council is now looking again at options for a Stubbington Bypass. I have also recently secured a visit from the Secretary of State for Transport to visit our area in June and Seán and I intend to use that meeting to further the case for major road investment in our area."

Monday, 20 May 2013

With fuel costs rising and continued pressure on household budgets, Hampshire residents have two weeks left to sign up for a collective energy switching scheme that could save them money on their gas and electric bills.

The County Council has joined up with the 13 local authorities across Hampshire (including Portsmouth and Southampton) to set up Switch Hampshire, which allows gas and electricity consumers to combine their purchasing power and get a better deal on bills.

Registering for the scheme is free and simple to do - all you need is your current tariff and energy use in terms of power (KWh) or cost. This information should be included on your annual energy statements or you can find out from your energy provider. There is no obligation to switch and the secure scheme is backed by the County Council.

Each household could save between £60 to £200 a year on energy bills by joining the scheme. Running a collective switching scheme three times a year could result in potential savings of up to £25 million for Hampshire residents.

People can register until 3 June, either online or by calling 01962 846828 (lines open Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm). After the closing date, Switch Hampshire will begin negotiations with energy providers to secure the best deals on the strength of this collective buying power.

There is no obligation to switch energy supplier - Switch Hampshire will notify everyone who has registered about the best energy tariffs available to them and manage the process if they do decide to switch.

With around 760,000 households in Hampshire, just two per cent signing up to switch energy supplier through Switch Hampshire would give a combined purchasing power of just over 15,000 customers. The more people who sign up, the more negotiating power Switch Hampshire will have.

Switch Hampshire is part of a larger scheme, the Big Community Switch, involving several London boroughs.

Access to cheaper energy can have significant benefits to those on low incomes, the elderly and families in fuel poverty, including making a positive impact on their health and wellbeing. It can also offer an opportunity for greater savings for those who rely on electricity for heating and cooking because they are not connected to a mains gas supply.

Nationally, collective energy switching is supported by the Department of Energy and Climate Change, the Local Government Association and consumer groups including Consumer Focus.

• Switch Hampshire - Register with Switch Hampshire to see if you could save money on your energy bills

Friday, 3rd May 2013

Hampshire residents are being urged to register for Switch Hampshire, the collective energy switching service that could mean lower household bills for gas and electricity.

The County Council is working with other local authorities across Hampshire on the "Switch Hampshire" scheme that will enable gas and electricity consumers to use their combined purchasing power to seek a better deal on their bills. The scheme offers people the potential to get their gas and/or electricity at cheaper rates than if they buy either service as an individual customer.

As an example, customers could save in the region of £60 to £200 per year on their energy bills by joining the scheme. Running a collective switching scheme three times a year could lead to potential savings of up to £25 million for Hampshire residents.

The first opportunity for residents to register is open until 3 June. People can register online or by calling 01962 846828 (lines open Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm). After the registration closing date, Switch Hampshire will begin negotiations with energy providers to secure the best deals on the strength of this collective buying power.

Registering for the scheme is free and does not commit anyone to switching energy supplier. Switch Hampshire will notify all those who have registered about the best energy tariffs available to them and will manage everything for them, if they do make the decision to switch supplier.

With approximately 760,000 households in Hampshire, if just two per cent signed up to switch energy supplier through Hampshire's collective energy switching service, this would give a combined purchasing power of just over 15,000 customers - enabling greater discounts to be negotiated on their behalf. The more people who sign up, the more negotiating power Switch Hampshire will have.

Access to cheaper energy has the potential to bring significant benefits to those on low incomes, the elderly and families in fuel poverty, including making a positive impact on their health and wellbeing. It can also offer an opportunity for greater savings for those who rely on electricity for heating and cooking because they are not connected to a mains gas supply.

Nationally, collective energy switching is supported by the Department of Energy and Climate Change, the Local Government Association and consumer groups including Consumer Focus.

• Switch Hampshire

Wednesday, 20 March 2013

More Hampshire schools will be able to harness the power of the sun to help reduce their energy bills in future, as solar panels plan to be fitted on up to 20 school extension projects by Hampshire County Council over the next four years.

All new primary schools built by the County Council already feature solar PV technology, and in future, technical appraisals for possible solar panel installations will now be carried out on all schools identified for extension across Hampshire.

County Council Leader, Councillor Ken Thornber, said: "Solar PV panels on new primary schools and now school extension projects, can not only help schools to deliver savings in their energy consumption equivalent to lighting a classroom for four months, but they are also another way to help achieve energy reduction targets, particularly as schools make up around 60% of the County Council's total carbon emissions.

"We currently have around 30 solar PV installations on Hampshire schools and this programme is likely to double this over the next few years. Each new school extension scheme, regardless of the governance of that school, will be assessed to explore whether solar panels are suitable, and installed where appropriate.

"As is the case with the 1,800 smart meters we have already installed in Hampshire schools to help them measure their electricity and gas usage, these new solar PV panels will also benefit pupils in the classroom who will be able to tie in with the curriculum, the learning opportunities that come along with this technology. Armed with this knowledge, and the advice and tips we also provide on how they can save energy, they will be able to actively identify patterns, times of high consumption and unusual energy use levels, and take positive steps to tackle any issues."

The County Council has a strong track record when it comes to carbon reduction and energy cost savings, having recently exceeded its targets for a second year running, for cutting emissions from its buildings, schools, street lights and other operations.

Much work already takes place in schools to drive down carbon emissions in addition to positive behavioural change and focus on good energy management. This has been at the heart of the County Council's Carbon Management plan and work with its 498 schools. In addition to the smart meters in schools, there have also been a raft of measures to improve lighting, glazing and improved heating systems.

In addition, the County Council is fitting 1,500 boiler control devices in Hampshire's schools to save an estimated 10% from their heating fuel bills.

• County Council beats carbon emissions target for a second year

Friday, 08 March 2013

Insulate Hampshire has won the 'Best Local Initiative' category in the 2013 Climate Week Awards, beating competition from three other finalists: the Lake District National Park Authority, Greater London Authority and the London Borough of Camden.

The 11 strong judging panel included luminaries such as: the Met Office's Chief Scientist, Professor Julia Slingo; The Right Honourable John Gummer, Chairman of the Committee on Climate Change and Professor Paul Elkins, Professor of Energy and Environment Policy at University College London.

Insulate Hampshire was backed by all members of the Hampshire Senate plus Eastleigh and Fareham Borough Councils with funding from ScottishPower. In the judges' opinion the scheme won because: "The work they are doing to support the local community is a fantastic example of a simple yet effective solution to climate change, that not only is having a direct impact on thousands of residents, but equally has facilitated the dissemination of information on energy efficiency among the wider public."

The Climate Week Awards consider the work of the United Kingdom's most innovative, effective, and ambitious organisations, communities and individuals to combat climate change. The Awards recognise the most inspirational projects and initiatives from all across Britain.

Councillor Ken Thornber, Chairman of the Hampshire Senate says "This is excellent news and the Insulate Hampshire team deserves every credit for the scheme's achievements. Tackling fuel poverty is a priority for the Hampshire Senate, and thanks to the thousands of insulation measures installed during the scheme, households across the county have taken the opportunity to reduce their bills and at the same time improve their health and wellbeing.

"All the partners involved with Insulate Hampshire have worked hard to combat fuel poverty and reduce carbon emissions through the project. This will reap benefits for Hampshire residents in helping them to save money on their fuel bills and to lower their household carbon emissions."

The Insulate Hampshire scheme has been responsible for installing over 18,600 insulation measures in Hampshire homes. As a result, Hampshire residents are expected to collectively save over £91 million in fuel bill savings and over 9,000 tonnes of CO2 over the lifespan of their insulation measures.

Award winners were announced on 4 March 2013. Climate Week is a national climate change campaign, aimed at engaging with all sectors to create a sustainable future. Climate Week 2013 runs from 4 March until 10 March.

• Climate Week Awards