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Welcome to your monthly newsletter from East Hampshire District Council. In this edition we talk about: new schemes to help those who need it most, your new council tax bill, our district-wide spring clean, and the upcoming dementia festival. We hope you find it useful and interesting!
Please follow our social media channels for regular updates.
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The Coronation of His Majesty The King will take place on Saturday 6 May.
If you are thinking of setting up an event to mark this historic occasion there are a few things you need to take into account before the big day – but don't worry we're here to help.
If you’d like to close off your road to traffic during your celebrations, the deadline for temporary road closure applications for the bank holiday weekend is Friday 24 March 2023. And if bunting is a must for your celebration, check the rules online before you decorate the highways.
For helpful advice and guidance on how to sort out road closures, licensing and all the other important elements of a successful event click on the button below.
You can also sign up for a FREE Coronation Big Lunch street party event pack from Eden Community Projects, full of ideas to make your local celebration one to remember.
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District elections are counting on your votes
Make sure you are able to vote in this year's local elections on Thursday 4 May. If you’re not registered, you can’t vote.
Register to vote
You don’t need to register for every election. However, you will need to be on the register of electors. If you’ve just turned 18, you’ve moved house recently or changed your name for any reason you may not be registered to vote.
The last date for registration is 17 April 2023. It only takes five minutes to register to vote online, all you’ll need is your National Insurance number.
Voter ID
If you are going to vote at the polling station you will have to take the correct photo ID. You may already have an acceptable form of photo ID, but it's definitely worth checking which ones are ok to take, or you can apply for free voter ID if you need to. We can only accept originals, no photocopies and no phone photos.
Apply for a postal vote
Anyone can apply to vote by post. You don’t need to give a reason. The deadline to apply for a postal vote is 5pm, 18 April 2023. Print and complete this form (a signature is required) and email to electoral.services@easthants.gov.uk.
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Council Tax for 2023-24
Council Tax for the next financial year (April 2023 to March 2024) has now been set.
An increase of two per cent has been agreed for our part of the bill. This is an increase of just £2.78 a year (around 23p per month) for an average band D property.
Changes in government rules allowed councils to increase Council Tax by three per cent, but we have kept it low, meaning ours is one of the lowest in the area.
As well as us, your bill includes the money you pay to Hampshire County Council, the Police and Crime Commissioner, fire service, and town and parish councils. Each organisation sets their own rates separately.
Out of every pound you pay in Council Tax, we get just 7p.
Bills will be sent out in March with the full details.
Did you know you have the option to pay in 12 monthly instalments instead of ten, which reduces your monthly payment by around 15 per cent. You have until 15 April to apply.
If you are having difficulties paying your Council Tax please let us know as soon as possible, we may be able to help you.
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Strong council finances means more help for those who need it most.
This year’s budget has allowed us to put hundreds of thousands of pounds behind brand new schemes aimed at helping some of the most vulnerable people in our community.
The 12 new schemes range from advice on dealing with the rising cost of living to swimming lessons for children, and from community buses to help people get about, to speed cameras at traffic hot spots.
In total £350,000 has been put aside in next year’s budget to fund welfare schemes such as these.
The wellbeing of residents is our top priority, these 12 projects will help thousands of people of all ages and backgrounds across East Hampshire.
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District-wide Spring Clean Campaign underway
Working with our service provider Norse SE, we are ploughing extra resources into a two month drive to clean up East Hampshire.
From 1 March, you will see our teams out and about in your home towns and villages, and you will be able to see the difference they make.
There will be more staff out on our streets picking up litter and tidying up our town centres, more road-side sweepers scooping up leaves, and more grounds-maintenance staff cutting grass and clearing weeds.
From 17 March to 2 April, to coincide with the annual Keep Britain Tidy event, we will be supporting community litter-picks with grabbers, bags, hi-vis clothing and the collection of black bags at the end of the event.
If you would like this support let us know through our Spring Clean Campaign website page, from Monday 6 March.
It's time to take pride in our place and get East Hampshire looking its best.
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East Hampshire Dementia Festival offers free advice and support to help people living with dementia.
The annual drop-in event at Petersfield Festival Hall, this Friday 10 March, from 10am-3.30pm, is a showcase of the help and support that’s available for families touched by the condition.
Experts in law, mental health and care will be on hand giving professional advice, medical support and real-life practical help and guidance, and the chance to ask questions about your own situation.
As well as presentations by professionals there will be around 30 local businesses and charities offering services that will help you and your family.
Watch our video about the festival here
The event also features activities suitable for people with dementia, such as music and crafts, and a chance to meet and chat with people.
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Our Get East Hants Working Apprenticeship Scheme helps local businesses hire apprentices by offering funding for wages, travel and training.
East Hampshire MP Damian Hinds recently visited three apprentices currently on the scheme to find out how it helps them and their employers.
Watch our video about the Apprenticeship Scheme here
Since its launch in 2013, our Apprenticeship Scheme has supported 70 apprentices across 52 businesses.
It provides one year's funding, up to £400 towards travel and up to £1,000 towards training for over 25s.
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Win a luxurious break in the forest!
It's a win-win situation when you play the East Hampshire Community Lottery
Sign up and support a good cause today and not only will you be in with the chance of winning weekly cash prizes of up to £25,000, but if you enter before Saturday 25 March, you will be in with the chance of winning a trip to Center Parcs.
A sporty break, a relaxing weekend in the forest, or some time away with the family – whatever a holiday means to you, you could be making the most of spring time at Center Parcs - and supporting a good cause too!
Our lottery is for the people, by the people. It’s a fun way to help good causes without giving up precious time. Tickets are just £1 in the weekly draw, and you can choose exactly which good cause you would like your money to go to.
It really is a win-win: even if you don’t win a cash prize you can be content in knowing that you are making a real difference!
Since its launch we've raised thousands of pounds for small charities - so why not join in? Visit our website to see which good causes you can support, and buy a ticket.
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We're changing the way we run our garden waste service to make it more efficient and open it up to more households.
The re-organisation will see a third collection vehicle introduced, to allow us to empty more brown bins across the district.
As the rounds are being re-worked it could mean your collection day is going to change. We will be contacting all our customers to make sure they are aware of what's going on.
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