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Welcome to your Councillor Connect. If you have suggestions for areas or topics you would like covered, please email communications@hart.gov.uk.
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Decision for Hampshire on Local Government Reorganisation
The Government has announced its decision on Local Government Reorganisation across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
It has supported the proposal put forward by Hart District Council to join with Basingstoke and Deane and Rushmoor Borough Councils to form one unitary authority to cover north Hampshire, incorporating Hampshire County Council services.
This means the current two-tier system – where county and district and borough councils share responsibilities – will be replaced and the new unitary authority will deliver all services for its area.
The Government has backed the model put forward by 11 of the councils across Hampshire, including Hart, for four new unitary councils to be created. The Isle of Wight will stay as an independent island unitary council.
The new unitary councils will be: - North Hampshire Council (current local government areas of Basingstoke and Deane, Hart and Rushmoor
- Mid Hampshire Council (current local government areas of East Hampshire, New Forest, Test Valley and Winchester, less 11 parishes from all 4 areas)
- South East Hampshire Council (current local government areas from East Hampshire, Fareham, Gosport, Havant, Portsmouth, 3 parishes from East Hampshire and 1 parish from Winchester)
- South West Hampshire Council (current local government areas of Eastleigh, 4 parishes from New Forest, Southampton and 3 parishes from Test Valley)
- Isle of Wight Council will remain as a separate unitary authority.
During this process there is no disruption to council services. Hart District Council and Hampshire County Council will continue to deliver services as normal and residents will still be able to access support in the same way.
Elections for the new councils are expected to take place in May 2027, with the new authorities formally taking over on 1 April 2028. |
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Local elections Thursday 7 May 2026
You can find all the key dates and information relating to the local elections on Thursday 7 May on our website.
LGA short guide to publicity during the pre-election period
The Local Government Association (LGA) has updated its short guide to publicity during the pre-election period. The document provides advice on the publicity restrictions that should be observed during the pre-election period. It should be read in conjunction with any guidance produced by Returning Officers or Monitoring Officers, which provides specific advice depending on local circumstances.
Voter information resources
The Electoral Commission has produced a suite of resources that councils and civil society partners can use to help provide voters with the information they need to cast their vote with confidence in the upcoming elections. The Electoral Commission has updated its digital and print static resources which councils can use to raise awareness of: - ways to vote
- when the elections are happening
- finding your polling station
- getting help at the polling station
- what to do if you need help to vote
- polling station opening times
- respecting polling station staff
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Updated Corporate Plan for Hart
We’ve published our updated Corporate Plan, prioritising the continued delivery of high-quality services for our residents. It also ensures long-term sustainability in light of the anticipated local government reorganisation.
Our Corporate Plan outlines how we will deliver our vision to keep Hart a district that is environmentally responsible, socially inclusive and economically resilient. It also sets out how any new authority remains financially stable and ready for the future.
Hart District Council has received very positive feedback from the Local Government Association’s Corporate Peer Challenge Progress Review, which praised us as being well‑managed with stable finances, strong leadership and an engaged workforce delivering quality services for residents. Through our collaborative culture and partnerships such as Here for Hart, we will continue to work closely with local organisations, the voluntary sector and health partners to deliver preventative and community-focused services.
What’s in the plan?
The Corporate Plan covers 2026 – 2031 and was approved at the full Council meeting on Thursday 26 February 2026. Our priorities are split into four focus areas: - People - health, skill and opportunity. We will promote health, well-being and inclusion, ensuring that all residents have access to the skills, support and opportunities they need to thrive.
- Planet - climate emergency and protecting our environment. We will lead on looking after nature, cut carbon emissions and act on climate change to keep Hart green and healthy for the future.
- Place - infrastructure led growth and the Local Plan. We will bring forward a new Local Plan that will seek to deliver the new homes required by the government. We will shape vibrant, sustainable communities through investment in affordable housing, infrastructure and local economic development, to places where people want to live, work and visit.
- Prepare for the North Hampshire Authority. We will make sure our services are ready to be transferred, protect residents and businesses and leave a legacy to ensure a strong future for Hart.
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Community Projects and Partnerships team shortlisted for award
A huge well done to our Community Partnerships and Projects team! Our Armed Forces Community Support Fund has been recognised for its work to improve the lives of serving personnel, veterans, reservists and their families.
The project was shortlisted in the Government Grants Awards 2026, in the Citizen Impact category. Nikki and Helen attended the event at Admiralty House, London.
The fund supported six community-driven projects, ranging from youth development and leadership training for cadets, to emotional literacy support for children of deployed parents. |
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FREE event for dogs and their owners!
Join us at Edenbrook Country Park on 25 April, for Bark in the Park.
Enjoy a fun-filled afternoon with dog trainer demos, local dog groups and crafts for all ages. Have a go at canine training courses, treat your pooch to a pet massage and check-up, or even a dog friendly ice cream!
There's plenty to get involved in, so make sure to save the date. For more information visit our Bark in the Park webpage. |
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Community team attend inaugural Armed Forces Covenant Conference
Members of the Community Team were delighted to attend the very first Hart, Rushmoor and Basingstoke Armed Forces Covenant Conference.
Armed Forces Champions from across the three districts - including our own Councillor Dorn - opened the event and welcomed attendees. Colleagues from Housing Solutions and the Community Partnerships and Projects Team enjoyed a varied programme of speakers, each highlighting the support available for serving personnel, veterans, families and cadets.
Contributors from Hart included Captain Mark Cumner from Court Moor School, who was joined by three cadets from the school’s Combined Cadet Force. The cadets spoke enthusiastically about the skills, confidence and opportunities they have gained through being part of the cadet corps. The Army Welfare Service also delivered an insightful presentation, sharing the community support they offer in Church Crookham to both children from Armed Forces families and civilian children. Both organisations expressed their appreciation for the funding received through Hart District Council’s Armed Forces Community Support Grant, which has enabled them to expand and enhance the services they provide.
Special thanks go to Di Murdoch, Hart’s Armed Forces Officer, who played an integral role in the local authority partnership that organised the event. |
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🌟 Young Carers Action Day 🌟
Across Hart, many young people take on important caring roles at home - supporting parents, siblings or relatives who rely on them every day. Their dedication is inspiring, as being a young carer often means carrying extra pressures and making personal sacrifices that many their age never have to face.
We want every young carer in Hart to know that support is available. Hart Voluntary Action delivers a fantastic Young Carers Service, offering guidance, activities, a friendly community and someone to talk to. If you know a young carer or think a child may be taking on caring responsibilities, please do share this information. Reaching out can make a real difference.
💙 Learn more about the Young Carers Service or find other support locally at www.hereforhartdirectory.org.uk |
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February Hart Community Safety e-newsletter
Our latest Hart Community Safety e-newsletter is now available, which provides useful information on our visit to Calthorpe Park School for Stay Safe and some safety tips as we head into springtime.
As always, we hope you find the content of the newsletter of use and interest. Please forward this on to groups/colleagues that you work with that you feel may find it helpful - particularly any resident groups and advise them to contact us directly at communitysafety@hart.gov.uk to be added to the distribution list for the future. |
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How is our local democracy changing and how can officers best support councillors?
The Association of Democratic Services Officers (ADSO) are inviting councillors to share your insights and expectations about how our local democracy might change over the next five years. As the professional organisation supporting the officers who work closely with councillors in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, they are keen to hear your views and experiences.
You’ll be helping ADSO members understand how your expectations are changing, so they can be ready to give you the best support. Councillor Engagement activities are part of ADSO’s Working in a Modern Democracy programme, which is exploring the issues that are changing our local democracy. ADSO are keen to learn directly from councillors to inform their work.
Can you spare a few minutes to complete their online survey, which closes today? It's easy to take part, and you're welcome to join in whether you're participating in other ways or not. They're asking a few questions about how you feel local democracy might change, what this means for your role (and for citizens), and what support you would value from officers in the future. It's also an opportunity to share any examples of good practice that you know of or are involved in.
Councillor survey – take part now
They're working in partnership with Dorset Council, who are kindly hosting the survey. |
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Safe vapes usage and disposal awareness campaign
The Office for Product Safety and Standards has launched new resources aimed at younger people to raise awareness of safe vapes usage and disposal.
The vapes safety campaign aims to improve consumer safety by reducing the risk of battery fires, injuries, and environmental harm linked to unsafe vapes usage and disposal. The campaign seeks to raise awareness among young people about the hidden dangers associated with improper charging, damaged batteries and binning vapes, while encouraging simple, practical habits that keep them safe and support responsible recycling.
These messages include: - store a used vape safely until it is recycled
- remove the battery if possible
- don’t bin it in general waste or household recycling
- ask vape retailers about take-back
- drop it in a vape-only recycling bin at a vape shop, supermarket, or recycling point
- unplug a vape once it’s fully charged
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Funding to cover almost half the cost of installing EV chargers for households and businesses announced
The Department for Transport has announced that renters, flat owners, homeowners without driveways and businesses will be able to save up to £500 when installing electric vehicle (EV) charge points, thanks to an over 40% increase in charge point government grant funding.
The uplift will cover almost half the cost of a typical charge point installation until March 2027, helping more drivers access cheaper domestic electricity rates at home or work. The following updates will be introduced from 1 April: - people living in rented accommodation, flat owners, residential landlords, households with on-street parking and businesses will all be able to receive higher grants of up to £500 per charge point, rising from the previous discount of £350
- schools will be eligible for grants of up to £2,000 per socket, building on 3,700 sockets installed to date
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In the news
A round-up of press releases and news articles published by Hart District Council over the past month. |
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Forthcoming Council meetings - 2 April: Cabinet
- 7 April: Licensing Committee
- 13 April at 10am: Development Management Enforcement Sub-Committee
- 14 April: Overview and Scrutiny Committee
- 22 April: Development Management Committee
- 30 April: Council
All Hart meetings begin at 7pm and are live-streamed. To view, please visit our YouTube channel. |
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