Spring Borough News 2024 - Eastleigh Borough Council

BOROUGH NEWS Spring 2024

@eastleighbc

eastleigh.gov.uk

Design our 50-Year logo

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Discover your next adventure at Itchen Valley Country Park Local people can look forward to a spectacular springtime at Itchen Valley Country Park. With the many play areas, including a new addition, new trails and connecting paths, the bluebells arriving in April/ May time, the inviting Woodland Café, and a new Go Ape Feature.

From a recent survey, we know many people enjoy spending time in nature and exploring the paths and trails with their family and friends. There’s also the lure of the café with a range of food options, including cosy jacket potatoes and hot drinks!

With lighter evenings returning, visitors are encouraged to explore further areas of the park and follow the newly laid path network (picture 2) which takes them to the highest points with beautiful vistas overseeing the park.

Free community Walk and Talks are run bi-monthly at the park which are led by an experienced ranger with extensive nature and wildlife knowledge. Go to the website to find out more - itchenvalley.co.uk

Have you explored all our exciting play areas catering for all age groups?

• The Warren, our newest play area (picture 3) for older adventurers sits in High Hill field with a large slide, climbing areas, a zip wire and more!

• The Dray – where children can test their adventurous side and discover their risk-taking abilities.

• Walk along the Play Trail to find Woodlarks, where under-6s can build upon their imaginative abilities with a mud kitchen (picture 1), shop, and other play features.

Itchen Valley Country Park, Allington Lane, West End, Southampton SO30 3HQ Scan the QR code for directions

Competition To celebrate reaching its 50-year milestone, Eastleigh Borough Council are asking local residents to design a logo. The winning design will feature on various publications for a year and the artist will receive a £50 theatre voucher.

For more information and how to enter, see page 13.

Your Weekly Borough News

• Inside the Woodland Café is The Holt, suitable for smaller adventurers. Young children can explore a fun, colourful, and tactile environment whilst in safe view.

Sign up to receive updates about what is happening across the Borough

• Visitors wanting to fulfill their thrill-seeking side can now save on their next family adventure at Go Ape Southampton. Simply enter FAMILY15 at checkout when you next book TreeTop Challenge.

eastleigh.gov.uk/weeklynews

Sign up to

for your tailored customer account my.eastleigh.gov.uk itchenvalleycountrypark

www.itchenvalley.co.uk

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eastleigh.gov.uk

ENABLING A HEALTHIER EASTLEIGH

Our focus As a Council, we are focused on improving the quality of life of everyone living and working in the Borough, both now and in the future.

The stories in this issue are themed around the key areas where we are making a positive difference to people’s lives.

Shaping places Creating and enhancing places where residents and businesses can thrive.

It is about ensuring that our neighbourhoods, buildings and spaces work well for everyone and that our places are attractive, vibrant, distinctive and safe.

Enabling a healthier Eastleigh

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We want all residents and visitors to the Borough to live long, healthy and happy lives and so we are focussed on improving health and wellbeing and reducing socio-economic and health inequality.

Protecting our environment

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Maintaining and creating an attractive and sustainable environment that is valued, and which can allow residents, visitors and nature to flourish.

Creating homes & communities

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To help support a buoyant housing market we are delivering high-quality homes of all tenures to provide opportunities for people looking for affordable rent, or a new home to meet the diverse needs of residents.

We are also co-creating communities, alongside housing development, by delivering infrastructure, employment, leisure and open spaces.

Clean awards sweep for Neighbourhoods & Green Spaces team The Council team that keeps the Borough’s streets, parks and open spaces attractive and clean has picked up two prestigious national awards.

The Neighbourhoods and Green Spaces operation was again declared best performer in the Street Cleansing category, and won the best performer award in the Parks, Open Spaces and Horticultural services category in the APSE Awards, organised by the Association for Public Service Excellence.

It is the 13th year in a row that the Eastleigh team have scooped the award for street cleansing and the authority has been recognised in a number of other categories over the years. At the same ceremony in 2022, Eastleigh was named APSE’s Council of the Year.

Cllr Tonia Craig, the Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Social Policy who accepted the awards with Paul Naylor, Service Director, Neighbourhoods & Green Spaces, said: “It’s great news that Eastleigh is recognised as having the best team in the country looking after its streets, open spaces and village and town centres. The Neighbourhoods and Green Spaces team can be very proud of this achievement which reflects the huge level of dedication they bring to the job.”

Cllr Tonia Craig (second from left) accepted the awards, accompanied by the Council’s Service Director for Neighbourhoods & Green Spaces, Paul Naylor.

Passport to Leisure Concessionary Scheme at Places Leisure Eastleigh for people who are unemployed, on a low income, over 60, full-time students, Armed Forces, or have physical, learning or sensory impairments. eastleigh.gov.uk/passporttoleisure

ENABLING A HEALTHIER EASTLEIGH

Schools are getting Clean Air Aware Four schools in the Borough have been raising awareness about air quality.

Pupils have been exploring air quality science and the causes of air pollution, measuring pollution levels near their schools - and looking at its impact on their health and the environment.

Air pollution is one of the biggest environmental threats to human health, and the traffic on our roads is one of its biggest causes. Children are among the most at risk from the harmful effects of the toxic gases and particulates that vehicles produce.

The Clean Air Aware scheme is being run

by Sustrans, in partnership with the Borough Council, specifically to tackle poor air quality around schools. High traffic volumes at pick up and drop off times and idling cars

result in concentrated levels of pollutants at precisely the times children are likely to be exposed to them.

After learning about air quality through interactive sessions the students will begin planning a campaign focusing on the issues that affect their school the most.

@eastleighbc

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Councillors lobbied Health Secretary on NHS dentistry and vapes

Image: Toynbee School pupils

Concerns over poor access to NHS dentists, and the easy availability of singleuse vapes, were the subjects of separate motions agreed by the Council.

EA ST ER PR OG RA M M E

SPRING INTO ACTION THIS EASTER WITH EASTLEIGH ACTIVE Activities for five to 16 year-olds

3 - 5 April and 10 - 12 April Book now: eastleigh.gov.uk/eastleighactive

Councillors resolved to write to the Secretary of State for Health, calling on the government to implement an emergency rescue plan for NHS dentistry. A further motion urged a ban on the sale of single-use vapes.

The Council said the Government should use unspent funding to boost the number of dental appointments. It also noted how a lack of dental care can particularly affect the health of children.

Whilst not anti-vaping, which it sees as a useful tool in smoking cessation, the Council said the Government should be doing all it can to discourage children from vaping and urged an immediate ban on the sale of singleuse vapes and free samples. It also highlighted the environmental impacts of disposable vapes.

Council Leader, Cllr Keith House, said: “Public health is one of the Council’s key priorities and these motions focus on issues that we know are of significant concern in our communities: the lack of access to NHS dental services can have a huge impact on the quality of life for residents and on the health of local children, and the rise in the sale of single-use vapes has a number of very adverse effects.”

Since Councillors wrote to the Secretary of State in December 2023, the Government has announced plans to tackle youth vaping by banning disposable vapes, as well as restricting vape flavours and packaging, and changing how vapes are displayed in shops.

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PROTECTING OUR ENVIRONMENT

eastleigh.gov.uk

New woodland enhanced at Itchen Valley

Meet our Tree Rangers

Local people, who had sponsored a tree as part of the Council’s Plant Eastleigh scheme, came to Itchen Valley Country Park to contribute to a woodland. They planted a variety of native tree whips to expand the woodland and provide more habitats for local wildlife.

The trees came from the Council-run tree nursery in Horton Heath.

Plant Eastleigh is a drive for residents, businesses, and community organisations to plant 160,000 more trees in

Eastleigh Borough by 2030. The project contributes to the England Trees Action Plan, which the Government has launched to tackle biodiversity loss and climate change.

To find out more about Plant Eastleigh and its exciting community engagement projects (see page 14) running across the Borough, please visit planteastleigh.co.uk

You may see Alex and Nick, our new tree rangers in your local area, as they lead our campaign to plant thousands of trees across the Borough. Part of their role is to work with our communities to plant a range of trees and hedgerows that includes using a range of native trees grown in our own tree nursery.

For example, they led our Plant Eastleigh project that gave the opportunity for people to plant tree whips at Itchen Valley Country Park to help extend the park’s habitat and improve biodiversity.

Image: Local family planting a whip at Itchen Valley

New community building craned into Itchen Valley Country Park The new community building for Itchen Valley Country Park was craned into place after arriving on a lorry convoy.

Designed and made in Yorkshire by Pod Space Ltd the modular building, that arrived in sections, is known as The Hide. The new facility will provide toilets, a kiosk and rooms available for corporate hire. It will open later this spring.

The building in High Hill Field is part of a major transformation of the much-loved green space that will bring exciting new features, including: • remodelling of Highwood Barn and Kingfisher Barn • better barbecue and picnic areas

• additional toilets • upgraded play equipment • a new central events and welcoming space at Highwood Barn • a covered outdoor seating area for customers to the popular Woodland Café • greater accessibility with Changing Places facilities Find out more: itchenvalley.co.uk

PROTECTING OUR ENVIRONMENT

Environmentally friendly approach to grass cutting Eastleigh embraces eco grass-cutting for biodiversity to flourish

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@eastleighbc

Let’s get it sorted Our new ’Let’s get it sorted’ campaign is helping our residents to put the right items in the right bins. Unfortunately, we’re still finding that some items are being put in the green bins that shouldn’t have been.

In Eastleigh, there are only FIVE items that should go in your green recycling bin. (See back page) These are:

Anything else should be placed in your general waste bin. When it comes to placing items in your recycling bin, simply remember ‘if in doubt, leave it out!’

Thanks to everyone for doing your bit to help us reduce contamination in our recycling streams. For more information on how to recycle household items, please visit eastleigh.gov.uk/recycling.

• Plastic bottles • Aluminium cans and metal tins • Paper • Cardboard (no takeaway pizza boxes) • Empty aerosols

Scan the QR code to sign up to our Waste & Recycling newsletter to keep up-to-date with the latest developments in waste and recycling.

JOIN OUR GARDEN WASTE SCHEME Don’t waste time and fuel booking a trip to the tip

• no more booking or queueing at your local tip • wheeled bin is easy to manoeuvre around your garden n•

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Sign up at eastleigh.gov.uk/gardenwaste

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• Recreation grounds, sports pitches, cemeteries grass will be

A new interactive map providing details of grassed area that we manage and the cutting regime for each area will be on our website ready for when grass cutting starts in March.

• collected fortnightly from your kerbside

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In our parks and in local areas where grass is used for recreation, we cut grass regularly. Grass that is not used for sport or recreation will not receive full cuts and will be managed for nature instead. For example:

Please note these schedules are dependent on weather and ground conditions.

• no more mess or creepy crawlies in your vehicle

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• Conservation areas - public open spaces such as the old golf course, countryside sites will be cut once a year from August to October

• saves you time and is more convenient

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We are working with nature, so sometimes the cutting cycle can start earlier or later during the year depending on ground and weather conditions.

BENEFITS INCLUDE:

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• Highway verges, parts of public open spaces - grass will be maintained on a 4-6-week cycle from March to October

maintained on a 1-2-week cycle from March to October

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Our team manage many areas of open spaces including sport pitches, countryside areas, verges and community spaces. You will see us cutting grass between March and September but not every grass area needs the same cutting regime.

Whether you have a small amount of garden waste, or lots of grass cuttings, shrub prunings and weeds, the collection will save you time and make it easier for you to help the environment.

The cost of a bin is only £50 for the year, that’s just £2 per collection.

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The Council is continuing with its environmentally friendly approach to grass cutting and maintenance of green spaces throughout the Borough to help our local environment and encourage greater biodiversity.

Join over 24,000 other Borough residents and sign up today. Starts on 1 April.

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eastleigh.gov.uk

FREE EVENT

Free 3km guided walks to spend time in nature in a safe and friendly environment.

Book online: itchenvalley. co.uk/whats-on Lakeside

PROTECTING OUR ENVIRONMENT

Recycle your food waste and save money Save money and reduce waste in your black bin

Tuesday 5 & 19 March 1pm - 2pm

Food waste makes up around 30%* of your black household waste bin, with potatoes being the most wasted food in the UK, followed by bread and milk**.

The Council operates the longest running food waste collection in Hampshire. This helps to reduce the amount we throw away in our general bins, and collect food waste such as vegetable peelings, egg shells, and gone-off food.

Bursledon Wednesday 6 March 10.30am - 11.30am

Itchen Valley Country Park

Food waste should be wrapped up in decomposable bags (available from most supermarkets) or old newspapers, and placed in the brown food bins provided. This is then collected from your kerbside weekly.

Thursday 14 & 28 March 10am - 11am

Hound Wednesday 13 March 10.30am - 11.30am

Hamble

Find out what food items you can recycle and how to order an additional bin on our website eastleigh.gov.uk/foodwaste

Wednesday 27 March 10.30am - 11.30am

*Source: The Eco Experts **Source: WRAP

Spring events at the Country Parks

Recycle more: coffee, tea and hot chocolate pods from home with Podback

Needle Felt Bunny Workshop

We need your help to recycle more as part of the Let’s get it sorted! initiative.

Tuesday 26 March 10am - 12pm • Cost: £16

Podback is a nationwide, not-for-profit, coffee pod recycling service. Created by the biggest names in coffee pod systems, Nespresso, Nescafé Dolce Gusto, and Tassimo, to give people who enjoy the quality and taste of coffee pods simple and easy ways to recycle them.

A beginners workshop to make a simple felted bunny using a needle felt tool.

Includes a hot drink.

How to sign up for free

Easter Trail

1. H ead to podback.org and fill in their quick online form

29 March - 14 April 10am - 4.30pm • Cost: £3 Help the animals of the Itchen Valley to find the missing egg! Collect a pack from the café and follow the map to discover the clues.

Suitable for 4+ years.

Continued on page 9...

The Council has been working with Podback since last year to provide a free recycling service, helping you to recycle your plastic and aluminium pods from home.

384,611plastic pods and 476,000 aluminium pods have been recycled from our Borough already, with the coffee grounds used to create energy and as a soil conditioner.

2. Two rolls of bags will be sent out within 7-10 days 3. Fill the bag with used coffee pods 4. Put the bag out weekly, alongside your food waste bin 5. L et Podback know when you’ve run out of bags.

Repeat the above. Easy!

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eastleigh.gov.uk

ONE HORTON HEATH LATEST UPDATE

One Horton Heath - future proofing heating in new homes Heat pump

Closed loop borehole

“Few areas of concern” over Council investment and borrowing Last year, the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities asked the professional body for public sector finance, the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy’s (CIPFA) to review the Council’s investment portfolio and borrowing position.

Harnessing the Earth’s energy and transforming heating: ground source heat pumps at One Horton Heath Horton Heath is a pioneering housing development that is leading the way in sustainable living. At the heart of this eco-friendly revolution are ground source heat pumps (GSHPs), a technology that will provide significant financial and environmental benefits. This innovative system is set to be implemented across the 381 homes of phase one, offering a glimpse into the future of renewable energy in residential spaces.

What is a ground source heat pump?

A ground source heat pump is a cutting-edge system that uses the earth’s consistent underground temperature to heat and cool homes. Unlike traditional heating systems relying on fossil fuels, GSHPs harness natural heat from the ground. This is achieved through 233 closed loop boreholes, in this case between 100 and 120 metres deep, which circulate a water-antifreeze mixture to absorb the earth’s heat.

Why ground source heat pumps?

• Consistent performance: as the earth’s temperature at the depth of the boreholes remains relatively constant, ensuring reliable heating and cooling.

Financial and carbon savings The financial and environmental impacts of this project will be substantial as residents can expect around a 50% reduction in heating costs compared to conventional fossil fuel systems. This is a significant saving as heating accounts for a large percentage of household energy expenses.

• Eco-friendly: GSHPs eliminate reliance on fossil fuels.

Furthermore, the shift to GSHPs will result in approximately a 70% reduction in carbon emissions that represents a major stride towards a more sustainable future.

Their report was published recently and, in their own words, CIPFA “identified few areas of major concern” and said that their “overall picture of Eastleigh Borough is positive.”

The report recognised the clear strategic purpose of the Council’s investment portfolio and noted that it has enabled the Council to continue to deliver a higher level of service than otherwise would have been possible.

The Council has welcomed the report and finds it to be fair and balanced. Leader of the Council, Cllr Keith House, said: “We look forward to more engagement with DLUHC and explaining how local government finance actually works on the ground, and how our prudent investments have protected essential public services. By innovating, the Council has been able to continue to fund services for residents, while delivering a real-terms cut in our Council Tax. At the same time, our commercial activities have supported the creation of jobs and investment in our communities.”

• Long-term savings: initial installation cost of GSHPs can be higher than traditional systems the long-term savings make it a financially sound investment.

A model for future developments GSHP technology demonstrates a commitment to sustainable living, energy efficiency, and longterm economic savings. Their use in residential developments is not just a trend; it’s a necessary step towards a sustainable future.

Find out more and keep up-to-date on the development visit: onehortonheath.co.uk or email: onehortonheath@eastleigh.gov.uk Follow us on: onehortonheath One Horton Heath

Ground source heat pumps explained

Watch our latest video

Can we support your community project?

One Horton Heath is welcoming interest from community representatives or groups who are involved in running community or educational-led activities or groups who require outdoor space. Visit the website to get in touch with us: onehortonheath.co.uk

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WHAT’S ON THICK & TIGHT: TITS & TEETH

Thursday 29 February • 7.30pm The Point

BOARD GAME CAFÉ

Tuesday 5 March • from 6pm The Point

FOOTLIGHTS YOUTH THEATRE: GREASE

Wednesday 6 March to Saturday 9 March 2:30pm, 7.30pm The Point

BRING YOUR OWN BABY COMEDY

Tuesday 12 March •11.30am The Point

CHRIS MCCAUSLAND: YONKS!

Wednesday 13 & Thursday 14 March 7.30pm The Point

MNK PRODUCTIONS LTD: EXCITING SCIENCE

Saturday 16 March • 2pm The Point

ANYTHING FUNNY

Tuesday 19 March • 8pm The Point

THE POINT YOUTH THEATRE: EMIL AND THE DETECTIVES

Friday 5 April • 6pm Saturday 6 April • 2pm, 6pm The Point

HOUSE: CHOOGH, CHOOGH

Tuesday 9 April • 11am, 2pm The Point

SOUTHAMPTON MUSICAL SOCIETY: LEGALLY BLONDE

Monday 1 May to Thursday 4 May • 2.30pm, 7:30pm The Point

Saturday 6 April • 7pm The Berry

EASTLEIGH OPERATIC & MUSICAL SOCIETY: THE SOUND OF MUSIC

THE HIGHLAND JOKER: THE BUBBLE SHOW

Wednesday 8 May to Saturday 11 May • 2.30pm, 7:30pm The Point

THE BRICK PEOPLE: LEGO ACTIVITY WORKSHOPS

Friday 12 April • 8pm The Berry

CRIME AND COMEDY THEATRE: THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES

YOUTH DANCE SHOWCASE: LET’S DANCE

Friday 12 April • 7pm The Point

Wednesday 17 April • 7.30pm The Berry

PRACTICALLY PERFECT PICTURES: THE MUSEUM OF MARVELLOUS THINGS RUSSELL KANE: HYPERACTIVE

FROZEN LIGHT: THE BAR AT THE EDGE OF TIME

Monday 15 April to Wednesday 17 April • 11am, 1.30pm The Point

THE CRESENT PRIMARY SCHOOL SPRING CONCERT

SOLD OUT

Saturday 2 March • 7.30pm The Berry

BERRY FUNNY COMEDY CLUB

RICHARD HERRING: CAN I HAVE MY BALL BACK?

Saturday 16 & 17 March • 1.30pm, 6.30pm The Berry

POINT ENSEMBLE: THE SAD CLUB

Tuesday 19 March • 7pm The Berry

CORAM SHAKESPEARE SCHOOLS FESTIVAL

WAITING FOR THE CALL IMPROV: NOTFLIX

Friday 22 March • 7.30pm The Berry

HYDC & RICHARD CHAPPELL DANCE: NEXT GENERATION

Wednesday 27 March • 7.30pm The Point

PLAYTIME: PLAY-ALONG THEATRE ADVENTURES

Thursday 28 March 10am • 11.30am The Point

HALF A STRING: BREATHE

Saturday 20 April • 3pm The Point

NICK COPE FAMILY SHOW

Saturday 27 April • 11am, 2pm The Point

theatre music dance arts crafts magic

T AAKKEE L G T F L IIGGHHTT A FESTIVAL OF EVENTS CELEBRATING THE CREATIVE BRILLIANCE OF THE NEXT GENERATION

RBM: MILES JUPP

PUNT & DENNIS SOLD OUT

SOMETHING UNDERGROUND: THE SPIRIT OF WOODSTOCK

Sunday 24 March • 3pm The Point

Saturday 27 April • 7.30pm The Berry

Wednesday 1 May • 7.30pm The Berry

PIQUE SCHOOL OF DANCE: DANCING THROUGH TIME

Friday 22 March • 7pm The Point

AWAKE MY SOUL: MUMFORD AND SONS TRIBUTE

Friday 8 March • 8pm The Berry

Saturday 9 March • 7.30pm The Berry

Wednesday 20 March • 1pm, 6.30pm The Point

Thursday 11 April • 2pm The Berry

BERRY FUNNY COMEDY CLUB

Wednesday 10 April 10am, 11.30am, 1pm, 2.30pm, 4pm The Point

Saturday 3 April • 11am, 2pm The Point

RED ENTERTAINMENT: HARRY STYLES TRIBUTE

MORGAN & WEST’S MASSIVE MAGIC SHOW FOR KIDS

Saturday 23 March • 3pm The Berry

MATT FORDE: INSIDE NO.10

Friday 5 April • 7.30pm The Berry

Friday 3 May - 7.30pm The Berry

SPINNERS DANCE: CLOSE ENCOUNTERS

Saturday 4 May 1.30pm, 6.30pm The Berry

TOP SECRET: THE MAGIC OF SCIENCE

Saturday 11 May - 2pm The Berry

LIVE NATION IN SOLD OUT ASSOCIATION WITH A-LIST: NURSE GEORGIE CARROLL: SISTA FLO 2.0

Friday 17 May - 7.30pm The Berry

SIX CHICK FLICKS

Saturday 18 May - 7.30pm The Berry

Imaginations Take Flight at The Point this April Following the success of the pilot last year, The Point’s Take Flight Festival returns this April, with events taking place across both the Eastleigh venue and at The Berry Theatre in Hedge End. Celebrating and inspiring the next generation. Take Flight Festival offers audiences the chance to enjoy a range of activities created for, with, and by children and young people of all ages.

(9 April at The Point), which combines classical Indian dance, theatre and play to celebrate the joy of train travel; bouncy, giant and fire bubbles in The Highland Joker’s crowd-pleaser The Bubble Show (11 April at The Berry Theatre); LEGO workshops with The Brick People (10 April at The Point), den building, storytelling, crafts and much more!

Highlights include The Point’s very own Youth Theatre with a new adaption of Emil and the Detectives (5 and 6 April at The Point); family-friendly show choogh choogh

To find out more about the full Take Flight Festival programme visit: thepointeastleigh.co.uk/takeflight events for Take Flight are identified by this icon.

TOO GOOD TUESDAYS

Every Tuesday morning, The Point hosts something fun for grownups to enjoy with their babies and toddlers. Whether it be the chance to enjoy an introduction to dance basics, uplifting and relaxing live music sessions or arts and crafts activities, these sessions offer parents, grandparents, childminders and carers the opportunity to do something creative with their little ones and meet like-minded people in a friendly environment.

@eastleighbc

BABY DISCO

Tuesday 5 March, 10.30am The Point

WONDER GIGS

Tuesday 19 March & 16 April, 10.30am & 11.30am The Point

ARTY PARTY

Tuesday 26 March, 10.30am The Point

TINY DANCERS

Tuesday 23 April, 10.30am The Point

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Cocktail Masterclass Thursday 31 March, 7pm The Point £20 per person Learn the art of mixology with friendly bartenders, delicious nibbles, and great conversation at The Point Café Bar! A great night out for individuals, couples, or groups of friends (attendees must be 18 or over).

To book please email admin@thepointcafebar.co.uk

Spring events at the Country Parks

BOOKING INFO

INCLUSIVE CINEMA

...continued from page 6

Taking place monthly at both venues, THE GREAT ESCAPER Tuesday 19 March • 10.45am the Inclusive Cinema programme The Point delivers relaxed and welcoming film screenings of both classic and current films. These screenings are designed MATILDA THE MUSICAL Wednesday 13 March • 10.30am specifically for people with dementia, The Berry Theatre learning or physical difficulties and their families and carers, however MILITARY WIVES they are open to all: offering a friendly Wednesday 3 April • 10.30am and inclusive environment to anyone The Berry Theatre who may find it difficult to attend a THE MIRACLE CLUB mainstream cinema.

Tuesday 23 April • 10.45am During these screenings the lighting The Point will be a little higher, the sound a little quieter and audiences can leave the theatre safely at any point with staff on hand to help. All screenings are captioned, include a 20-minute interval and the £5 ticket price includes a hot drink and biscuit.

Easter biscuit decorating in The Hide

Wednesday 3 April 10am-12pm, 2pm-4pm • Cost: £4 For accompanied 4+ years Drop in

Story and craft with an Easter theme in The Hide

Thurday 4 April • 10.30am For accompanied 3-7 years Cost: £5 Pre-book online

Story and craft with an Easter theme in The Hide Tuesday 9 April • 10.30am For accompanied 3-7 years Cost: £5 Pre-book online

Easter Craft Wreaths

in The Hide Thusday 11 April • 10am-12pm Cost: £4 • Drop in Make a colourful egg shaped wreath decorated with tissue paper.

For accompanied 5-10 years

Booking tickets couldn’t be easier!

Our current Box Office hours are 10am to 3pm from Monday to Saturday or head to our website and book online.

Box Office: 023 8065 2333 thepointeastleigh.co.uk theberrytheatre.co.uk

May Day Fayre

Monday 6 May • 10am-4.30pm A celebration of summer with music, Morris dancing and local makers market. See the website for further information. If you would like to have a stall email ivcp@eastleigh.gov.uk

Hamble Peninsula Guided Walk

Thursday 16 May • 10.15am-1pm Join an 7km linear walk on the Hamble Peninsula, incorporating the parishes of Bursledon, Hamble-le-Rice and Hound and returning by train from Hamble station. We will stop off in Hamble for a refreshment break.

Free • Pre-book online

Bat Detectives

Decopatch Windchime Craft

Saturday 13 April 7.30pm-9pm • Cost: £7 / £5 Pre-book online

Wednesday 29 May 10am, 10.45am, 11.30am Cost £4 per child

Join a member of Hampshire Bat Group for a guided walk to discover bats in the Itchen Valley.

For adults and children 7+ years.

A craft to decorate a set of windchimes with patterned paper.

For accompanied 5-8 year olds.

Pre-book online

The Point, Leigh Road, Eastleigh, Hampshire SO50 9DE The Berry Theatre, Wildern Lane, Hedge End, Southampton, Hampshire SO30 4EJ theberrytheatre

thepointeastleigh

PointEastleigh

To book visit: itchenvalley.co.uk/whats-on Itchen Valley Country Park, Allington Lane,West End, Southampton SO30 3HQ

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Utilita Bowl strives to become world’s greenest cricket stadium The South Coast’s premier international cricket, music and leisure destination has been renamed Utilita Bowl as part of a ground-breaking multi-year deal that will enable the sustainable supplier to guide and support the venue’s ambition of becoming the world’s greenest cricket ground.

The newly-branded Utilita Bowl has now set out a bold vision for creating the greenest international cricket venue in the world in this unique sustainable sporting partnership, while supporting those who visit to make energy savings.

David Mann, CEO at Utilita Bowl, said: “We are delighted to partner with Utilita, a Hampshire based business who share our values and can now help shape our vision of creating the greenest international cricket venue in the world.

This is the dawn of a new era for the venue, and we’re excited by the possibilities this partnership will offer.”

The first step of many in this pro-planet partnership will see the installation of more than 1,000 solar panels, capable of generating around 25 per cent of the electricity used in the stadium each year, and more than enough to cover the electricity consumed during match days.

This solar array will save the venue a six figure sum each year in electricity costs - as well as 80 tonnes of carbon per year – the same level of emissions produced by driving 301,855 miles in the average passenger vehicle.

Bill Bullen, CEO at Utilita, said: “The cheapest and greenest energy is the energy we don’t use, and that’s exactly what this partnership is designed to do – cut energy usage.

This support doesn’t stop at the venue itself but is extended to the over half a million visitors who walk through its doors each year.”

Utilita Bowl is one of the country’s most impressive sports and leisure destinations, offering luxury spa days at the award-winning eforea spa, a pristine 18-hole golf course, sumptuous dining experiences at BEEFY’s Bar and Restaurant and relaxing hotel stays at the stunning Hilton Southampton – Utilita Bowl.

The showpiece stadium will host an array of top quality sporting action across the summer, with nine all-action T20 matches starting in May, four Southern Brave men’s and women’s double headers in The Hundred and two showpiece England internationals.

For more information on the ground breaking partnership or to book your next visit to Utilita Bowl visit www.utilitabowl.com

Photos: L-R is David Mann CEO Utilita Bowl and Bill Bullen CEO Utilita. Photo Credit: Dave Vokes

CREATING HOMES & COMMUNITIES

@eastleighbc

The Council has secured a National Lottery grant of £14,700 from Arts Council England to match-fund a Developer’s Contribution for Public Art and commission a new piece of public art for Chandler’s Ford and Hiltingbury. The project will celebrate diversity and memorialise the Polish Dependants’ Hostel Camp in Hiltingbury, which stood on the land now known as Hiltingbury Recreation Ground.

Prior to becoming the Recreation Ground, the site south of Hiltingbury Road was used by the military as a temporary accommodation camp; for Southampton residents displaced by the blitz in 1940 and 1941, for Prisoners of War in 1945, and from 1947 – 1957 for almost 1,000 Polish refugees.

A Steering Group of local residents including historians and a resident of the camp are working with the Council to appoint an artist to design a new piece of public art for the site, which is expected to be installed this Autumn. People will be invited to share their memories of the camp with the artist and school children will take part in creative activities to learn about the history behind the project.

485 SPACES

Lottery grant awarded for public art in Chandler’s Ford and Hiltingbury

Park in

Eastleigh Town Centre

only £5.40 for

a day* at

Mitchell Road Multi-Storey Car Park

We will be providing further information about the project and how to get involved on our website and digital newsletter.

Image: Hiltingbury Polish Dependants’ Hostel Camp

A Fresh Approach To Care!

In Home Care Eastleigh No Need To Go Into Care – Let Care Come To You! We provide quality care in the home for individuals aged 18+ Dementia Care Palliative Care Companionship Care Live In Care Disability Care Overnight Care All our staff are fully trained and DBS checked We believe everyone deserves to have their needs met with understanding and compassion to feel cared for, loved and looked after.

Call: 023 8212 3300

Email : eastleigh@in-homecare.co.uk

Quote ‘Borough News’ for a free initial assessment AND free first visit on us!

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*£5.40 for all day parking between 6am to 6pm Monday - Saturday.

Prices may be subject to change.

COST OF LIVING

@eastleighbc

A helping hand Act now to tackle cost-of-living pressures on you and your household Try the best place in the Borough for advice Citizens Advice Eastleigh are there if you need help with finding what support is available and what you are eligible for, they have trained local advisors and a website filled with advice and guidance.

They have an Eastleigh office and a range of outreaches in Bursledon, Hamble and Hedge End.

Check out the local free and low-cost food outlets

Initial opening hours Monday 10am to 2pm and initially membership is restricted to surrounding areas only.

Eastleigh Pantry £5 per visit for £15’s worth of food per week

It’s becoming clear that certain vulnerable groups are feeling the squeeze more than other groups. The Council and our partners have schemes to make things easier.

These include: Meals on Wheels, Eastleigh Handyperson scheme, assisted gardening scheme, assisted bin collection, grants for disabled facilities, apply for disabled parking space and more.

We also have specific web areas for young people, and Armed Forces and their families.

View at eastleigh.gov.uk/vulnerable-groups

TOTAL TOT TOTAL TO

£5 per visit for £15’s worth of food per week

Check if you are eligible to receive support or benefits

Find support for vulnerable groups

TOTAL

Pilands Wood Community Centre, Chamberlayne Road, Bursledon SO31 8DT

Pavilion on the Park, 1 Kingfisher Road SO50 9LH Tel: 01794 522106

Have you checked if tax relief, marriage allowance or cost of living payment apply too?

RECEIPT

NEW Pilands Wood Community Pantry

citizensadviceeastleigh.org.uk Tel: 0808 278 7682

Search gov.uk for their ‘benefits calculator’. This can help you narrow down anything you may be entitled to. It’s free and independent and only takes around 15minutes to complete.

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Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9.30am – 12 noon and Tuesdays 4pm – 6pm

Community Fridge Pavilion on the Park, 1 Kingfisher Road SO50 9LH Help yourself to what you need Monday to Friday 10am – 3pm and Sundays 9.30am to 12 noon

Eastleigh food bank Unit G6 Wells Place SO50 5PP Tel: 07563 609994 Tuesdays and Thursdays 10am – 3pm

Hedge End food centre King’s Community Church SO30 4BZ Mondays and Thursdays 10am – 1pm

Hound food bank 30 Queen’s View, Netley Abbey SO31 5AE Tel: 07485 007800

Can you reduce your Council Tax? You may have overlooked some Council Tax reductions and discounts, and many are still unclaimed. Vulnerable groups are covered, such as disabilities, severely mentally impaired, students, care leavers and care workers.

Did you know…

A Single Person’s Discount applies when only one person over the age of 18 is resident, so if it’s just you and the children, you are eligible. If you are all under 18, there is no Council Tax to pay.

If everyone under your roof is a full-time student – there is no Council Tax to pay, adult or otherwise.

If you or someone who lives with you is an apprentice or a youth trainee, you may be entitled to a discount.

An annexe will be exempt from Council Tax if it is separately banded for Council Tax but forms part of another property and a dependant relative is living in it as their main or only home.

Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10.30am – 2pm

Be scam aware We regret to report that many cost-of-living and energy saving scheme scams are operating at this time, targeting vulnerable people. Please remain vigilant and if in any doubt: stop, challenge and protect. Report online to actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040

YOUR COMMUNITY

@eastleighbc

Help us design Our 50-Year Logo

Bampton House - changing lives Bampton House, the Council’s new specialist housing accommodation for local families and individuals is changing lives.

Keith said: “The help I have received and this new home has literally helped me turn my life around.

As a result my mental health has improved and I’m really appreciative of the care I have received from everyone involved. I’m so thankful to the Council, they have been absolutely amazing. They have literally saved my life.”

Prize: The winning logo will be adopted for the year on our website, social media channels and other events and activities that we undertake. The artist will receive a £50 theatre voucher presented by the Mayor.

He added: “My advice to anyone in a similar position is not to suffer in silence but to make sure you ask for help.”

Design Submission: Logos must include the words ‘50 Years of Eastleigh Borough Council’ with a gold theme. We’d also love to hear what Eastleigh means to you.

Design entries must be received via the website by Friday 5 May 2024 and created on a white background (a minimum of A5 size).

Enter here: eastleigh.gov.uk/50years or scan the QR code

He was also offered help from local charity ‘Scratch’ who helped him obtain furniture and white goods for his new home.

Keith is delighted with the space and the new opportunity it has provided him with.

This year Eastleigh Borough Council is 50 years old and to celebrate we’re thrilled to invite those who live, work, or go to school in the Borough, to unleash their imagination and design a logo celebrating our 50-year milestone.

Don’t miss this chance to be part of Eastleigh’s history!

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One of the 13 new homes in Bampton House is occupied by Keith, who has had a challenging time in recent years suffering the misfortune of both physical and mental health issues. Keith was in-andout of hospital and lived in accommodation that wasn’t fit for wheelchair access. With support from local healthcare workers and the Council, Keith was offered one of the 13 new flats at Bampton House.

Bampton House in Chandler’s Ford was previously a vacant office block, that the Council redeveloped into specialist temporary housing accommodation with funding by Homes England.

If you need support, please visit eastleigh.gov.uk/housing Image: House-proud Keith outside of Bampton House

No gas central heating?

You might qualify for help with energy efficiency If your home doesn’t have gas central heating, you might qualify for energy efficiency upgrades to improve your home and save money on energy bills.

These include insulation, air source heat pumps, solar panels and heating controls – and could save you between £220 and £400 a year on your energy bills.

If you’re on a low income, you don’t use gas to heat your home and your property has an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) of D, E F or G, you could be eligible for a range of improvements.

The funding is available under the second phase of the government’s Home Upgrade Grant (HUG 2). £41.4 million has been awarded to local councils, including Eastleigh.

Supported by

To find out more, please visit www.warmerhomes.org.uk or call freephone 0800 038 5737

YOUR COMMUNITY

14 eastleigh.gov.uk

£1million for community and green spaces projects Exciting cross-service projects have been going ahead due to a successful bid by the Council to secure £1million in Levelling Up funding, also known as the Shared Prosperity Fund. The award, from the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities will be spent in the Borough over three years.

The funding will support various initiatives under the programme ‘Growing Spaces, Growing Networks, Growing Wellbeing’, aligned with the Council’s priorities of protecting the environment and shaping places. These initiatives aim to address inequalities in access to green spaces, promote health and wellbeing, increase volunteering, address cost-of-living concerns, and enhance town centre and green space areas, including the Plant Eastleigh pledge to plant 160,000 trees by 2030.

Live projects include: • Plant Eastleigh community engagement Work has been undertaken to identify and ringfence parcels of land for tree planting. Two Senior Rangers (see page 4) are working hard with volunteers and local community groups to plant and maintain the trees and ensure legacy care whilst the trees are young and vulnerable. See their progress and see how you can get involved on planteastleigh.co.uk • Support for local college Special Educational Needs (SEN) group The Lakeside Country Park community garden has been opened to the Eastleigh College SEN gardening group to learn and tend to the raised beds. They have been provided with support, gardening tools, plants, PPE and a first aid kit for their term-time sessions.

residents will be consulted to ensure all have been captured. A new map will then be created to help promote cycling and walking across the Borough.

• Local food production Funding is being granted to local community organisations to support community garden projects and refurbishment of the kitchen at Pilands Wood Community Centre.

Projects in the pipeline for 2024 include the enhancement of volunteering opportunities, food education programme, and more community engagement projects - including for Eastleigh town centre, where residents, businesses and visitors will help shape public spaces for the future.

The Leader of Eastleigh Borough Council, Cllr Keith House, said: “We are investing in key areas to deliver a range of improvement for residents. Eastleigh receives very little funding from the Government, and we want that cash to be spent well. Teams across multiple services and partners are involved in improving spaces, networks and wellbeing, with brand new schemes planned across the Borough. We look forward to keeping residents updated on all the developments we achieve across the three years.”

For more information visit eastleigh.gov.uk/levellingup

• Borough cycle route mapping and community engagement We have just appointed Steer and Sustrans to audit existing routes and

Recognition for former Councillor A long-time servant of the Council will be recommended to receive the title of Honorary Alderman later this month.

The next meeting of the Full Council will be asked to bestow the honour on Mr Roger Wood, who was a Councillor for Chandler’s Ford from 1964 to 1982.

Ten years ago the Council agreed to recognise the public service of former members of the Council, who had served at least 12 years, and who had retired from office, by introducing the title of Honorary Alderman.

The award will be presented at Mayor Making on 20 May.

Recruiting for Health Walks Leaders Volunteer to help others get outdoors and walking this spring!

The Council’s HealthWorks team are asking keen walkers to volunteer to take walking groups on set routes across the Borough.

The current qualified Health Walks Leaders are looking to swell their ranks this spring to ensure as many residents as possible can meet socially and improve their wellbeing.

Health Walks have been running successfully for many years and have multiple two-three mile routes running

Monday to Friday on a weekly basis (with slow walks available).

Training will be provided, and you simply need to guide walkers regularly on route(s) and ensure new participants register on their maiden Health Walk.

Get in touch with our HealthWorks team phone: 023 8068 4813 Email: healthworks@eastleigh.gov.uk or visit eastleigh.gov.uk/healthwalks

Hampshire County Council Future Services Consultation Hampshire County Council has launched a public consultation to understand people’s views across Hampshire on proposals to change and reduce some local services and help the authority address a £132 million budget shortfall faced by April 2025.

The Future Services Consultation runs until 31 March 2024, and signals the next stage in the County Council’s plans to ensure it can focus support on the most vulnerable people in Hampshire – such as protecting children from harm, social care for older people, and supporting adults and children with disabilities and additional needs - while meeting its legal duty to deliver a balanced budget in 2025-26.

To take part visit hants.gov.uk/future-services-consultation

YOUR COUNCIL

@eastleighbc

Changes to the way you vote During 2023 and 2024, the Government have introduced various changes to the way you vote: Photo ID If you will be voting in person at a polling station, you will now need to provide a suitable form of photo ID before you can cast your vote. Accepted forms of ID include: • Passport issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, a British Overseas Territory, an EEA (European Economic Area) state or a Commonwealth country • Photographic driver’s licence issued by the UK, Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, or an EEA state (including provisional) • European Economic Area (EEA) photographic ID Card • UK Biometric Residence Permit • An identity card bearing the Proof of Age Standards Scheme hologram (PASS card) • A Blue Badge • Oyster 60+ Card • A concessionary travel pass funded by HM Government or local authority A full list will be printed on your poll card or visit gov.uk/how-to-vote/photo-id-youll-need.

Only original documents are accepted; scanned images or copies will not be accepted however expired documents are accepted if the photo is still a current likeness.

No suitable photo ID? If you do not have any of the accepted photo ID, and you want to vote at a polling station, you will need to apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate which can be used specifically for the purposes of voting. Visit gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate

vote. A postal vote can be valid for up to three years and you will be notified when it is due to be renewed.

Returning your postal vote - The easiest way to return your postal vote is by post via Royal Mail. If you hand your postal vote in at the Council offices, this must be done during normal office hours, or at a polling station on election day, you will be asked to complete a form.

If a form is not completed, your postal vote will be rejected.

Accessibility at polling stations If you are a disabled voter or require additional help, we offer a range of support to enable you to vote independently or with assistance.

For more information eastleigh.gov.uk/informationforvoters

Poll Cards All registered voters who are eligible to vote in the local elections will receive a poll card at the end of March/ early April, which will be in the form of an enveloped letter addressed to the individual person. It will contain a full list of accepted forms of photo ID. Postal votes Applying for a postal vote - How you apply for a postal vote has now changed. All new applications require you to be verified by providing your National Insurance Number along with your date of birth and specimen signature. Please apply now at gov.uk/apply-postal-vote to ensure your application is processed early so that your postal vote can be issued as quickly as possible. It’s easy to apply and you do not need to provide photo ID but you must be registered to

Have your say Local Area Committees hold public question sessions at the start of each meeting Local Area Committees (LACs) are made up of elected Ward Councillors.

They take decisions and make representations relating to their area on a wide range of Council business, including determining planning applications and environmental improvements.

Bishopstoke, Fair Oak & Horton Heath (6.30pm) 6 March • 19 June Visit eastleigh.gov.uk/bifohh or contact kitty.budden@eastleigh.gov.uk 023 8068 8418

Bursledon, Hamble-le-Rice & Hound (6pm) 14 March • 27 June Public question sessions are held at the Visit eastleigh.gov.uk/bhh or contact start of each meeting and if you would ross.mcclean@eastleigh.gov.uk like to speak, you must register before 023 8068 3367 the meeting begins. Please email democraticservices@eastleigh.gov.uk Chandler’s Ford & Hiltingbury or you can register at the meeting.

Each LAC has a Local Area Manager (7pm) 5 June who works with the Councillors Visit eastleigh.gov.uk/cfh or contact to set the strategic direction of the guy.riddoch@eastleigh.gov.uk committee’s work.

023 8068 3369

Contact us: Eastleigh Borough Council, Eastleigh House, Upper Market Street, Eastleigh SO50 9YN 023 8068 8000 @EastleighBC eastleigh.gov.uk • my.eastleigh.gov.uk Sign up to receive updates from us at:

eastleigh.gov.uk/weeklynews

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Eastleigh (7pm) 12 March • 4 June Visit eastleigh.gov.uk/elac or contact guy.riddoch@eastleigh.gov.uk 023 8068 3369 Hedge End, West End & Botley (7pm) 4 March • 10 June Visit eastleigh.gov.uk/heweb or contact ross.mcclean@eastleigh.gov.uk 023 8068 3367

Details are correct at time of print.

Distribution period - We try to ensure that the dates featured or listed in the Borough News fall after the last copy is delivered. However, some events may occur during the delivery period. We try to avoid this, but we are keen that events get as much publicity as possible.

Eastleigh Borough Council makes no representations, endorsements, warranties or guarantees, and is not liable for any loss or damage, in relation to any advertisements placed in the Borough News.

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16 eastleigh.gov.uk

What can I put in the recycling bin?

tins and cans

Only these five items

only plastic bottles

cardboard

empty aerosols

paper

(no takeaway pizza boxes)

Let’s get it sorted To find out more scan the QR code or visit eastleigh.gov.uk/recycle

for Eastleigh Borough