ERF NEWSLETTER NO 30 November 2025
Editor: David Harris editor.theems@outlook.com
Local government reorganisation
Local elections 2026?
Elections are scheduled to be held on Thursday 7 May 2026 for all seats at Hampshire CC, West Sussex CC, one third of seats at Havant BC and for the newly created posts of Mayors of Hampshire and West Sussex. The Times reported that local elections to some councils could be delayed for a second year amid fears that Reform gains would stop Labour’s plans to overhaul local government. Last year, elections in the Conservative-held county councils of Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Surrey, East and West Sussex, and Hampshire were postponed until 2026 to prepare for the transition to new councils. The Times stated that leaders of these councils are “lobbying hard” for the government to move these elections another year forward to 2027. The elections would be held to the new larger councils that will be introduced in 2028. The last elections to Hampshire and West Sussex CC were held in 2021. If the elections are delayed it could mean that County Councillors would serve a 7 year term.
Politics
Alan Mak could lose his Havant seat to Reform UK
The latest YouGov poll predicts that nine Hampshire constituencies would be won by Reform UK if an election was called immediately . The second YouGov poll – of 13,000 voters – since the last election shows a Reform UK government would be projected to win 311 seats, just 15 short of a majority. The Local Democracy Reporting Service looked at what the poll said about how Hampshire residents would be predicted to vote. The poll predicts that residents in the following nine constituencies would swing to Reform UK : New Forest East, New Forest West, Fareham and Waterlooville, Basingstoke, Portsmouth North, Havant, Gosport, Isle of Wight West and Isle of Wight East.
HBC planning applications
Havant BC has been introducing a new computer system to deal with planning applications which has resulted in the Planning Portal being out of commission for some while. This means that The Ems does not have up to date information on some planning applications and decisions. It is believed that a large number of housing sales are being prevented from going through as solicitors cannot undertake a proper planning search for properties.
The following significant planning application is still being considered: APP/24/01010 Business Park at Interbridges East, New Brighton Road. There is a major gas pipeline going through this site which appears to be holding up this application.
Business News
Emsworth Loves Local Small Business Market
We are celebrating our 5th Anniversary in November and we are inviting you to come along to our Mega Market on 15 November. It will be held, as usual, in the Square, Emsworth in the Methodist Church and hall. We are planning on small treats for you and the opportunity to buy tickets for our raffle (that will be on sale outside the church because of their beliefs). Not to be missed.
Roads
The M27 will be closed for 11 days over Christmas to allow for the construction of a new underpass at Junction 10. From 8 pm on December 24 until 4 am on January 4, the M27 will be shut in both directions between Junction 9 and Junction 11.
Emsworth Community Centre
The Centre Cinema, Films for a Fiver
Four Letters of Love 10 Nov
Based on Niall Williams' best-selling novel. Nicholas and Isabel were made for each other but how will they ever know it? As ghosts, fate and the sheer power of true love pull them together, so too does life threaten to tear them apart.
The Friend 24 Nov
When a solitary writer adopts and bonds with a Great Dane that belonged to a late friend, she begins to come to terms with her past and her own creative inner life.
The Salt Path 8 Dec
A couple lose their home and later discover the husband has been diagnosed with a terminal illness as they embark on a yearlong coastal trek.
Our Community Cinema is at the heart of our social activity programme. Showings are 3:30 and 7:30 always on a Monday but not regular set dates, so check out our website for all information, including trailers, times, and dates.
Book your Christmas party with kitchen facilities. Checkout our newly redecorated Lumley room/dance studio with acoustic panels to reduce sound echo. For more information or to book an appointment to view the venue please contact us on the details below. Check the website www.emsworthcommunitycentre email on Info@emsworthcommunitycentre.org.uk or call us on 01243 373805 10:0014:00.
Dates for your diary
Wemsfest concerts (various venues)
13 Nov: Ashley Campbell
20 Nov : Ranagri - blending traditional Irish and British roots music cleverly together
23 Nov : Wreckless Eric - one time Punk pioneer who never went away and has a new album to share
26 Nov : Flook - Anglo-Irish quartet celebrating 30 years of performing great tunes
6 December: The Jeremiahs
12 Dec : Maroon Town - London's finest mix of ska, reggae, rap, dub, breakbeat, jazz and fun
Looking ahead to 2026 The 4th Emsworth Blues Festival takes place on 16 & 17 January with ticketed performances by Michael & Sadie Roach, and Lucca Mae with her band (Jan 16), and The Errol Linton Band (Jan 17) with free performances on Saturday afternoon in The Coal Exchange, The Crown Inn, and Queenies.
As always tickets are available from Bookends, and Harbour Records in Emsworth, and a new outlet The Westbourne Café. See https://www.wemsfest.com/ for full details
Emsworth Concert Band
Please come and join us for another evening of festive fun and beautiful music led by Andy Hall (Bandmaster of The Royal Corps of Army Music, Tidworth, and formerly with the Band of the Royal Marines).
Two dates, two venues – pick the one that suits you best. Click and buy using the links below.
Saturday 13 December – 7:30pm Oaklands School, Waterlooville
A beautiful venue with tiered seating for a perfect view
Includes a complimentary glass of wine or soft drink during the interval
Free parking available (within school grounds)
Tickets: £13.50 if booked before 1 Dec / £15 after 1 Dec
Buy tickets online here https://ECBChristmasConcert2025.eventbrite.co.uk
Saturday 20 December – 7:30pm Hayling Island Community Centre
A welcoming venue with great acoustics
Licensed bar open before the concert and during the interval
Free parking available (car park and on-street)
Tickets: £12
Buy tickets online here
https://EmsworthConcertBandHICCDec2025.eventbrite.co.uk
For more info contact: Rich Taylor 07881 811619
ERF NEWS
Deliverers wanted (volunteers)
We are always looking for people to help deliver The Ems. Please contact jandgmil@btinternet.com if you can assist.
Public meetings
There are currently no public ERF meetings scheduled for the rest of 2025. The ERF wishes to be more responsive to the needs of residents and we are looking for suggestions for future topics. If you have an area of concern that you would like to see explored and debated then please contact Dwyn Stepien Chair.erf.@gmail.com
Election Hustings 2026
Tuesday 28 April 2026. 7 pm. Emsworth Baptist Church (to be confirmed)
A chance to meet some of the candidates for the local elections due to be held on Thursday 7 May 2026.
THE EMS Vacancy for Education Correspondent
If you would like to write education related articles for The Ems please contact me. Email; editor.theems@outlook.com
Back issues of The Ems are available online https://issuu.com/theems
COPY AND PUBLICATION DATES 2025 -2026
THE EMS Edition Deadline for commissioned articles and advertisements
Winter 2026
Spring 2026
Summer 2026
Autumn 2026
Winter 2027
Corrections
Wednesday 24 December 2025
Friday 27 March 2026
Friday 26 June 2026
Friday 25 September 2026
Wednesday 23 December 2026
The Ems is distributed to all homes in Emsworth from
Thursday 8 January 2026
Thursday 9 April 2026
Thursday 9 July 2026
Thursday 8 October 2026
Thursday 7 January 2027
In the October edition of ERF Newsletter an article about Town Councils stated: “Our West Sussex neighbours are all parishes” That was incorrect. Worthing and Crawley are not parished. They are borough councils, just like Havant, which are unparished. Chichester is a district council and is therefore parished.