Your Place Magazine

Your services

Content published 5 November 2025

Balancing the budget

Have your say on how we are planning to continue funding work to improve the borough and deliver high quality services as part of our budget proposals for the next year.

Proposals include continued investment in frontline services and support for community organisations and projects.

To help cover rising costs, an average £5 a year increase in the borough’s part of council tax is being proposed, as well as an average 3% increase for fees and charges for additional services we provide.

Have your say on budget proposals before Sunday 4 January 2026

Improvements to flagship park

Each year thousands of people are drawn to Basingstoke town centre’s Eastrop Park to play, exercise, experience outdoor performances and explore nature - for free.

Over many years the treasured Green Flag park, with the River Loddon running through it, has become tired. As part of our commitment to invest in and improve our parks and open spaces, we’ve committed to explore opportunities to renew and improve this popular space.

Last year repair work was carried out at the paddling pool and improvements made to the play area and toilets. The next push is for better water play, boating lakes and boat house facilities, toilets, signage, seating and improvements to the River Loddon and spaces for nature.

We’ll be starting detailed exploratory work with partners and agencies very soon to understand what can be achieved.

Providing quality street care

Keeping your streets clean and tidy is important to you and to us.

Across the borough our teams carry out grass cutting, litter picking, planting, leaf clearance and remove fly-tipping and graffiti.

Where we feel areas need some extra care and attention, we send in our Make a Difference Teams to tackle overgrown green spaces or deep clean paths and community areas.

Recently they’ve been in Brookvale, Buckskin, Eastrop, Kings Furlong, Kempshott, Oakridge and Winklebury.

Find information on how to report fly-tipping, graffiti, over flowing bins, issues with grass, hedges, weeds and leaves.

Spending a penny

We’ve invested over £83,000 improving our council-owned public toilets around the borough.

Over the past nine months the facilities at Eastrop Park have been refurbished along with the recently re-opened toilets at John Arlott Pavilion in War Memorial Park. The accessible toilets at Caston’s Yard in Basingstoke town centre, Worting Road Cemetery and Stratton Park in Kempshott and Buckskin have all undergone improvements. And most recently, the toilets at Winchester Street in Overton and Swan Street in Kingsclere have been transformed to make them all nicer places to use.

Tree-mendous glow up

If you’re taking an evening stroll around the town centre in Basingstoke you will be able to enjoy the glow up we’ve been working on, with new decorative lighting shining a light on Market Place and more planned for the outdoor space opposite The Anvil.

Repair work is also underway as part of our investment in the borough’s flagship cultural buildings – The Anvil and The Haymarket – to protect them for the future. This is all part of our targeted action to improve the town for everyone visiting.

We’re working closely with the new owners of Festival Place to ensure our town centre offer remains strong. With a number of new openings, including new leisure activities on offer at Superbowl UK and clothing retailer Mango set to open soon, and footfall returning to pre-pandemic levels, there is lots to love about our town centre.

Driving up taxis

Taking a taxi in Basingstoke and Deane is now easier with record numbers of licensed vehicles now available for passengers.

Following concerns over the falling number of taxis after the pandemic, our licensing team has worked with drivers and private hire companies to simplify processes and better support applicants to apply for a licence in the borough.

And this fresh approach has been successful, with the total number of private hire and hackney carriage vehicles now exceeding the pre-Covid peak of 439 vehicles - and set to rise even higher.

The team is also supporting cab drivers to be green in Basingstoke and Deane, with £5,000 grants available to encourage a move towards electrically powered hackney carriages.

Celebrating a decade of real change

A groundbreaking partnership that has transformed the borough’s approach to tackling homelessness and rough sleeping has marked 10 years of action to help change lives.

The Basingstoke and Deane Social Inclusion Partnership (some members pictured) was created in 2015, bringing together public services, voluntary organisations, faith groups and community partners with a shared view to transform lives and end rough sleeping in the borough.

Supporting the borough’s most vulnerable residents, the partnership has helped to reduce the number of people recorded as sleeping rough from 26 in 2015 to two in 2024.

Initiatives have included the introduction of peer mentors and clinical psychologists to help people address the often-deep rooted issues that lead to homelessness. Winter night shelters and accessible shower facilities have provided dignity, food and shelter. A night shelter will be set up again this winter to support those in need during the coldest months of the year and the partnership is asking for volunteers to help run this.

Other major projects planned include the refurbishment of the borough’s emergency hostel, May Place House.

If you spot someone sleeping rough, let us know by contacting StreetLink.

Find out how you can help, including volunteering.

Four more play area improvements

We’re extending and installing a brand new play area at Two Gate Meadow in Overton to replace the existing outdated play space.

The transformation of the area, which includes a wide range of new inclusive equipment for toddlers up to primary school children, will get underway by the end of the year. It forms part of our work to improve those of our 147 play areas most in need of refurbishment across the borough. Three more play areas are also receiving a major makeover as part of this programme and work is due to start soon.

These are Watling End play area in Hatch Warren, Cranesfield in Sherborne St John and Arlott Drive play area in South View.

Find out more about play area plans.

Shaping our plans for future places to play

Over the summer we asked you to have your say on play spaces in the borough.

Your feedback will help us to create a play park strategy that shapes how we provide well-maintained outdoor play spaces to meet the needs and priorities of all residents.

Pet care help

We’ve made it easier for you to help find the best care for your animals through a new ‘Paws on the Doors’ scheme.

The website tells owners whether operators are legitimately licensed and what star rating they have. Dog breeders, kennels, dog home boarders, dog day care, catteries, horse riding and pet shops are all included.

Find out more about animal licensing.

Take a seat

As part of our drive to enhance our free outdoor spaces, we’re replacing and installing new benches at four parks or residential areas in Basingstoke town centre.

Visitors to King George V Playing Fields will have noticed replacement benches installed late summer and new seating is set to follow at Glebe Gardens, Victory Park and Hackwood Road next month.

Stamping out nuisance crime

A big hello from your community safety patrol officers.

We’ve welcomed some new faces to our team ensuring that each area of the borough has a dedicated community safety patrol officer. Over the next few months, when everyone is in post, they’ll be working to build relationships with communities and businesses to tackle safety issues that really matter to you.

Through their regular patrols, community engagement and partnership working with the police and other agencies, the team will help to address antisocial behaviour and low-level crime like dog fouling, fly-tipping, littering and graffiti that can be a blight on how people feel about their area.

Find out more about the community safety patrol officer that covers your area.

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Your rubbish and recycling services

Content published 5 November 2025

Go for weekly food waste collections

Last month saw us launch our new food waste collection service. Thank you for separating out your food waste to create greener energy and fertiliser.

You’ve told us you want to recycle more and it’s been fantastic to see so many of you making simple changes to drive down how much we waste, this is essential for our environment and to meet aspirational government targets. If you’ve not started yet, Christmas is a great time to try.

With Hampshire County Council – as the disposal authority – we also plan to introduce more opportunities to recycle your plastic pots, tubs, trays, cartons and foil in the future - watch this space!

You can find tips on how to manage your food waste and changes to bin collection dates over Christmas below.

Feast your eyes on these answers to questions you’ve asked us

• Food waste is collected weekly by a separate crew.
• All food waste must be inside plastic or compostable liners, then put out in the green caddy provided.
• Save up your bread or vegetable bags ready for when your free liners run out.
• Compostable liners break down, especially when wet so:
• let anything warm cool first to reduce condensation
• open the lid to allow ventilation
• change your liner regularly so it doesn’t get too full and heavy
• you may need to double bag mushy food.

Caddy care

• Put your house number or name on your food waste bin so that we know it’s yours.

Find out more about food waste.

Christmas trimmings

Most of us chuck around £83 worth of food in the bin every month and at Christmas it can be even harder to rein that in. The good news is with a few simple steps, you and your guests can be full instead of wasteful.

Don’t forget you can pop all your peelings, eggshells, meat bones, coffee grounds and plate scrapings into your lined food waste caddy.

Hosting a roast?

Whether it’s turkey or nut loaf, the Love Food Hate Waste portion calculator is your secret weapon. It helps you to serve just the right amount for any meal you’re making, find it at LoveFoodHateWaste.com

For recipes, help and advice and a food portion calculator check out Love Food Hate Waste.

A recipe for waste less success

• Plan like a pro before shopping. When are you eating at home? How many of you are likely to be there? Plan to buy what you need.
• Freeze leftovers for lazy January dinners you’ll feel smug about. Turkey freezes for up to three months. As soon as it’s cool, put some in an airtight tub or bag and freeze. To reduce the chance of freezer burn, freeze it in some gravy and heat through gently once defrosted for a roast or a pie.
• Blend leftover roasted vegetables with a stock cube and some water for a super quick, delicious soup.

Be the next Leonardo da Veggie

We’re asking children in the borough to design an appealing poster to promote the benefits of food waste recycling.

Winners will get to see their artwork displayed on the side of our food waste trucks.

Find out more the competition.

Christmas bin day help!

There will be changes to bin collections over Christmas.

Unless adverse weather affects bin rounds, your waste and recycling collections will go back to normal from Monday 19 January. For garden waste customers, there will be no garden waste collections from Thursday 25 December to Wednesday 7 January. Put your brown bins and real Christmas trees out for collection on your normal day from Thursday 8 January. Make sure your bins are out by 6am.

Rubbish and food waste (weekly) recycling (fortnightly)

Garden waste (fortnightly)

Raise a glass!

Glass bottles and jars must be put into your glass box or glass bin. Please don’t overfill or we won’t collect.

Find out more information about glass recycling.

Tree-cycle your festive fir

Once the decorations are down, you can take your real Christmas trees to one of our recycling drop-off points available from Friday 2 January to Saturday 31 January 2026 to be turned into ProGrow soil conditioner for gardens.

Be on the good list and recycle

Christmas can generate more rubbish and recycling so it’s a great opportunity to make sure you’re recycling as much as you can.

We always collect extra recycling, not just at Christmas. If your green bin is full, put extra tins, cans, paper, cardboard and plastic bottles into a clear liner so our crews know it’s recycling.

In dry weather, cardboard can be left next to your recycling bin as long as it’s flattened and no bigger than one metre square.

For the first collection after Christmas ONLY, we will collect extra rubbish sacks left by your grey bin.

Find out what can go in your green bin.

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Your community

Content published 5 November 2025

Recycling charity’s home

A ground-breaking charity that recycles unwanted furniture and household items for people who need it at a lower cost is set to get its own home improvement.

The Community Furniture Project, which also provides training opportunities for those in need of help to get into employment, is based at Joule Road in a council-owned building requiring renovation.

Wanting to sell the site but also determined to secure the charity’s home, we are in the process of agreeing a deal that would mean selling the site to a new owner.

If agreed, the proposals would mean the potential buyer, Greenham Trust, would apply for planning permission to invest in developing the Joule Road buildings. This would include a new lease for the Community Furniture Project, securing its future, and ensuring help for those who rely on it, for at least the next 15 years.

Find out more about the Community Furniture Project.

Pictured trainees and volunteers at the Community Furniture Project

Vital funding for community support

From laying new astro turf for ball games to setting up sessions for autistic adults to access social support – almost £1 million council funding allocated this year is now helping community groups, buildings and projects across the borough.

Over the past eight months, community and voluntary groups have had the opportunity to apply for funding though our three grant schemes so they can better meet the needs of people across the borough.

These funding pots provide money to improve community buildings, support community organisations to be more resilient and develop much-needed services, while smaller grants given out by our 54 ward councillors help groups in their communities.

Read about just a few of the projects benefiting from council grants below and find out more.

New community-based activity sessions and exercise classes for older people in South Ham and Buckskin (pictured) are among the initiatives being funded through an £11,000 Strengthening Communities grant to Westside Community Association. The money will help to reduce isolation and improve health and wellbeing.

And Autism Hampshire can now launch a second Serendipity Community Group in the borough offering a safe, welcoming space for autistic adults to connect, build friendships and combat social isolation. The £13,890 of funding will also provide training and mentoring to help autistic adults to become peer leaders.

Final decisions are still to be made on which buildings will benefit from the £700,000 of Community Infrastructure Funding we’ve made available this year.

But the £14,300 grant spent from last year’s pot on installing solar panels at Upton Grey Village Hall has helped to cut carbon emissions and energy bills.

Pictured Cllr Charles Holroyd, Chairman of Upton Grey Parish Council, outside the hall.

Through the councillor grant scheme, Basingstoke East Girlguiding (members of Chineham Brownies pictured) received £585 for a new events gazebo and ‘neckers’ to increase the visibility of the girls to leaders during trips out.

Likewise, members of the Heath End Village Hall Committee in Baughurst (pictured) have been able to replace the astro turf at the popular ball wall area, thanks to a £2,000 boost from local councillors.

Community grants are still available from local councillors, find yours.

Mayor champions volunteers

Just seven months into Cllr Colin Phillimore’s year as the borough’s Mayor, he’s been grateful to meet hundreds of people who give their time to provide valuable services and support to residents.

At a tea party held earlier this year as part of Basingstoke Voluntary Action’s diamond anniversary celebrations, the Mayor thanked volunteers for their work in the community.

From those people who have a passion for teaching sewing to those who support vulnerable people, the event recognised their dedication and gave them an opportunity to share experiences and knowledge.

Being a volunteer himself, Cllr Phillimore recognises the value of volunteering and the benefits to the community. There are many volunteers who contribute to his two chosen charities St Michael’s Hospice (pictured) and the Whitchurch Community Swimming Pool.

You can learn more about some of the people and organisations who support our voluntary community below.

Find out more about the Mayor’s Charity Appeal and upcoming events, including Mayor’s Rock Concert at The Anvil on Saturday 7 March.

Celebrating true diamonds

Our area has a long history of strong community spirit, with thousands of people giving up their time to make life brighter for other people.

An organisation that supports the groups and charities that turn this selfless energy into meaningful action is celebrating its own milestone diamond anniversary.

For over 60 years, Basingstoke Voluntary Action (BVA), which is supported by the council, has been an umbrella organisation sustaining over 500 voluntary, charity and community groups in Basingstoke and Deane, providing essential support and offering guidance. BVA serves as the volunteer hub connecting individuals with local volunteering opportunities.

A good example of a volunteer that spends time with the team at BVA’s base, The Orchard in Basingstoke, is Peter Robson. For 14 years Peter has been a trustee of Basingstoke NeighbourCare, one of the first charities BVA worked with.

NeighbourCare supports people to stay independent and remain in their own homes for longer, including transport by car to appointments, community cafés, exercise sessions, handyperson and gardening help and befriending.

But Peter says the volunteers benefit too, as he has enjoyed helping to keep the charity’s services going after he retired from full-time employment.

He said: “Walking my dog keeps me physically active and NeighbourCare exercises my brain.”

Picture above shows Basingstoke Voluntary Action Chief Executive Daniel Neat (left) and Basingstoke NeighbourCare trustee Peter Robson (right)

What we love about volunteering

Fancy volunteering but not sure what to do? Read why these special people give their time to help others.

The Pink Place

The Pink Place provides wellbeing services and support to women affected by cancer, in North Hampshire.

Volunteer Liz (pictured right) joined the team after the charity supported a friend of hers who was diagnosed with cancer.

She said: “As I am now semi-retired, I decided I would like to spend some time helping the organisation that helped her and have found it both fulfilling and enjoyable to do so.”

Basingstoke and Deane Disability Forum

The disability forum supports disabled people, their carers and families by providing an information service, running social groups, and promoting disability awareness and inclusivity.

Hannah (pictured right) runs the charity and is on the board of trustees. She writes reports for the charity ombudsman, manages the staff and reports to the other trustees on the day-to day work of the organisation.

She said: “I love volunteering because it helps me to feel part of the Basingstoke and Deane community and I enjoy being able to give something back to society.”

Oakley Stitchers

Oakley Stitchers unites volunteers across nine borough-wide groups who enjoy knitting, sewing, and crochet, supporting individuals, organisations, and hospital units across the UK.

“Even though I wasn’t a knitter or sewer, I was warmly welcomed and supported through my recovery. Now, I’m a group leader and committee member and am proud to be part of the Stitchers’ family.” Christine (second from left) discovered the group during hospital treatment.

Find out more about opportunities to volunteer or get involved in your community at Basingstoke Voluntary Action.

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Your homes

Content published 5 November 2025

“Tough decisions” for more new homes

More new homes and places to work need to be planned for in the borough. We’ve prepared a new draft spatial strategy setting out where these could be as part of our work to move forward our draft Local Plan that will guide development in the borough over the coming years.

If it is agreed by Cabinet after this publication goes to print, you will be able to have your say during a boroughwide consultation which is currently due to take place between November and January 2026.

Having previously consulted on a draft Local Plan in early 2024, our planners had to go back to the drawing board late last year following changes made by the government to its National Planning Policy Framework. These changes require us to plan for significantly more homes to be delivered in the borough, a rise from 830 to approximately 1,150 new homes per year. More land is also needed for employment uses and supporting infrastructure.

Earlier this year, we asked landowners and developers to come forward with potential new sites to ensure we had the most up-to-date picture of sites available to draw up a new draft spatial strategy. Each of these have been considered through a detailed site assessment process.

Stay up to date on the draft Local Plan.

Manydown takes shape

Neighbouring communities have seen how over half of the Manydown development in Basingstoke will be dedicated to green space and heard how it will respect the site’s history.

A September open day showcased the heritage and nature elements of the plans, including its 250-acre countryside park. Preparation work is well underway for the development, including construction accesses and archaeology investigations.

Master developer Urban&Civic is creating the new community on land owned by us and Hampshire County Council. The next steps will see main access roads and utilities go in for the community facilities, schools and homes, as well as engagement on the detailed planning.

Find out more information about Manydown.

Stay warm and save money

This winter you can join almost 1,000 households who have received tips to save money and keep their home warm by booking in a free home visit with our friendly energy-saving experts.

Whether you rent or own or live in a flat or a house, our trained assessors can offer simple energy-saving tips and advice on bigger upgrades, like insulation. They will also guide you through what’s possible and what funding might be available to help pay for it.

You’ll get a personalised plan with practical steps you can take to potentially save hundreds of pounds each year on your energy bills.

Book your free home energy survey visit.

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Your environment

Content published 5 November 2025

Net results for nature

Restoring habitats and protecting wildlife is second nature for the borough’s expert conservation volunteers, who gave over 12,000 hours of their time from April 2024 to April 2025 to care for woodlands, meadows and green spaces.

Helping to care for nature is a great way to stay active, make friends and support wildlife. We regularly help to organise one-off activities like the Mill Field BioBlitz in August, where over 150 people joined the local conservation group to survey plants and wildlife – identifying over 350 species and giving valuable insights into how they are thriving in the nature reserve at Old Basing.

If you’d like to get involved more often, nature groups with a variety of practical and support roles are growing across the borough. There are currently 17 – including the newest group at Little Pen Wood, near Newbury.

Find out more about getting involved in conservation groups.

Basingstoke and Deane goes more green

Our borough’s carbon emissions fell more quickly in the five years to 2023 than anywhere else in mainland Hampshire – according to recent government figures.

This proves your efforts to live in ways that are kinder to our environment are bearing fruit, tackling climate change, protecting nature and making our air cleaner.

As your local council, we’re playing our part too. We’re nearing our goal to be a carbon neutral council at the end of 2025, though we won’t know final figures until next year. We’re also joining up with groups and organisations to bring down emissions – and earlier this year, charity Climate Emergency UK named us the joint-best district council in the UK for how well we collaborate on climate action.

Tackling climate change is a top priority. Next month, we’re set to adopt an updated Climate Change and Air Quality Strategy for the borough. Shaped by local people, groups and businesses, it builds on progress under the current strategy, approved four years ago. Its target for a net zero borough by 2045 reflects the scale of the challenge and our partners’ ambitions, while still being five years ahead of the government’s aim.

Learn more about our climate action

Help birds beat the brr

Winter is tough for native birds like robins and starlings. Help our feathered friends beat the freeze with these tips for your garden.

• Put out high-fat foods like suet, cheese and dried fruit and clean feeders often with a safe disinfectant.
• Defrost birdbaths with warm – not boiling – water so birds can bathe and drink.
• Clean nest boxes or install new ones for birds to rest.
• Grow shrubs that are berry rich and hedges like hawthorns that provide shelter and snacks.

For more tips to help wildlife at home, book a free visit with our nature experts

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Your sport, health and wellbeing

Content published 5 November 2025

New courts please

We’ve given the tennis courts at Basingstoke Indoor Tennis Centre in War Memorial Park some love, serving up over £50,000 of improvements. As part of the work, four floodlit outdoor courts have been resurfaced and relined.

Owned by the council and run by National Tennis Association (coaches Kevin and Charlotte pictured), the tennis facility also includes four indoor tennis courts, eight indoor pickleball courts and a large pavilion with a café.

Find out more about the Basingstoke Indoor Tennis Centre.

Live Longer Better

With funding from Hampshire County Council, we are helping residents in their 60s, 70s and beyond to take positive steps now to improve their health and live longer, better.

Whether you are still active and well or just starting to feel a shift in how you feel, investing more in your health now can shape your next 10 years and beyond.

Live Longer Better Hampshire focuses on four key areas (see right) where you can make positive changes now that will give you the best opportunity of staying independent in later life.

Find out more information about Live Longer Better Hampshire

Be active with strength and balance classes

We’re supporting three low-cost community classes to improve strength and balance and avoid falls.

The Live Longer Better beginner classes aim to boost energy and mobility and have been developed by experts to increase strength and balance.

Each session costs £3 and there is no need to book, just turn up. Email or call the relevant contact for more information.

Thursdays at Popley Fields Community Centre, Carpenters Down in Popley from 1.30pm to 2.30pm. Call 01256 423855 or email info@NeighbourCare.com

Fridays at Brookvale Village Hall in Lower Brook Street, Basingstoke from 1.45pm to 2.30pm. Call 07776 191248 or email marian@brookvale.org.uk

Tuesdays at The Ridgeway Centre in Buckskin, 1.30pm to 2.30pm. Call 01256 470665 or email SeniorCCWestside@outlook.com

Stay steady at home

Many falls can occur at home but some simple actions can help to reduce the risk.

• Check your home and remove any slip and trip hazards like rugs and wires.
• Use non-slip mats in the bathroom.
• Make sure all rooms and staircases are well lit.
• Put a light by the bed in case you have to get up in the night.
• Contact your housing association or the county council to talk about adaptations such as grab rails.

Sporting young minds

Free interactive games and fun sports sessions for 10 to 14-year-olds are taking place at Everest Community Academy in Popley. We’ve teamed up with the UK Mental Health Charity Sport in Mind to run the sessions designed to build confidence, self-esteem and make new friends. The sessions take place on Wednesdays term time only from 4pm to 5pm.

Find out more about SportInMind or email youth@SportInMind.org

Do good and get fit!

We’ve supported a charity that helps you to do good while getting fit.

GoodGym encourages volunteers to walk, run and cycle to help out in their local community by doing tasks like painting, helping out a food bank and litter picking.

It’s free to join and open to all adults of all fitness levels. Each task earns you a good deed and a great workout, which is great for your wellbeing too.

If you would be interested in volunteering with GoodGym or are a charity or community group who would love some assistance email Daniel Brick at DanielB@GoodGym.org

Find out how to get involved

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Your events

Content published 5 November 2025

Setting the stage for a top 2026

It’s been a jam-packed year of events with over 42,000 people of all ages being drawn to locations across the borough, including Basingstoke town centre, to enjoy free entertainment.

From live music, dance and acrobatic performances to extreme sports-fuelled fun, our council-run events - coupled with our council-funded Love Basingstoke programme – have delivered something for everyone, while also boosting visitors and trade.

And with planning for next year’s events in full flow, there are plenty of dates to mark in your diary to make sure you don’t miss out. Here’s just a snapshot of what’s to come.

Lighting the way with Let’s Glow

Thursday 19 to Saturday 21 February 2026

Brightening up February half term will be our free Let’s Glow light trail. Over 15,000 people attended last year’s event in the Basingstoke’s Top of the Town and War Memorial Park and 2026 promises to be just as dazzling.

Find out more about Let’s Glow

Listen Up for great live music

March 2026

Our live music events held in five venues in Basingstoke town centre in March and September struck a chord with over 3,000 people. The free music performances provided a stage for some of the borough’s best local musical talent.

Find out when and where the next performances will be

Be entertained at Basingstoke Festival

Friday 19 June to Sunday 5 July 2026

Every year our popular free festival fills the streets with creativity and energy from local and national acts attracting thousands of people to Basingstoke town centre and locations around the borough. Next year, the free arts festival will start with a parade on Friday 19 June 2026.

Keep an eye on the Basingstoke Festival website for updates

Limitless fun at new event

July 2026

Held for the first time in July, our free sports and wellbeing festival held in Basingstoke’s War Memorial Park included stunts, demonstrations and opportunities to have a go at everything from BMX to climbing.

More information on next year’s event will be revealed on our Limitless webpage

August Adventures

August 2026

This year saw 28 creative and sports activities packed into a programme across eight locations throughout the summer holidays.

For more details on next year’s adventures keep checking the Love Basingstoke website.

Tune in to Summer Bands

August and September 2026

Local brass and silver bands provided musical entertainment for audiences at War Memorial Park and Eastrop Park in Basingstoke over the summer. The free performances will be back in 2026.

Check out the Love Basingstoke website out more information.

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Your future council

Content published 5 November 2025

Local government changes ahead

The way that decisions about key county-wide issues are taken and how services are funded and delivered in our area is set to change over the next few years.

The government intends to devolve some powers and funding to a new strategic authority under an elected Mayor. This will make decisions across the wider Hampshire and Isle of Wight area, similar to what already happens in London and Greater Manchester.

Residents across the county are set to go to the polls to elect the new Mayor next May. This Mayor would set the vision for the region with powers and responsibilities for areas such as strategic planning, transport policy, economic development and skills and employment support.

But the services would still be delivered by councils across the county. The size and responsibilities of these is set to change too, under government plans for local government reorganisation alongside the devolution plans.

Proposals for future Hampshire councils

At the moment, working out which council provides the service you need can be confusing. For example, we clean your streets and empty your bins but Hampshire County Council is responsible for potholes and sorting the recycling and disposing of the rubbish.

The government has set out its plans to reorganise local councils in Hampshire to create new unitary councils that will provide all the services in their areas in future.

We worked with the majority of other district, borough and unitary councils in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight on the best shape and size for these future councils.

Joint proposals were submitted to the government in September for three options for four new unitary councils to be created around the major economic centres of Southampton, Portsmouth, Winchester and Basingstoke to serve the over two million people in mainland Hampshire. The Isle of Wight would stay an independent island unitary council meaning there would be five councils in future rather than the current 15.

The new councils would replace Hampshire County Council and the 13 district, borough and existing unitary councils, saving at least £63.9 million a year.

A well-connected North Hampshire council

Creating a new North Hampshire unitary authority, delivering all council services to the 407,500 people in Basingstoke and Deane, Hart and Rushmoor, was backed by all the 11 councils submitting the joint proposals.

This North Hampshire council was in all three of the slightly different options for the five unitary authorities in total – made up of four new unitary councils on the mainland plus the Isle of Wight – proposed by the 11 councils for the whole of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

The diagram on the right shows the specific option that our council backed as government required every council to show which one option they favoured. The other options, which some of the other 11 councils in the partnership favoured, differed slightly. A variation of this option added some boundary changes in the South West and South East unitary councils. The other option moved the New Forest to join the Mid Hampshire unitary.

Hampshire County Council and East Hampshire District Council, who previously left the joint work with the other councils, submitted different proposals to the government. They put forward four unitary councils in total for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight - made up of three new unitary councils on the mainland plus the Isle of Wight.

Their proposal for a Mid-North Hampshire unitary council would include Basingstoke and Deane with East Hampshire, Hart, Rushmoor and Winchester, covering 656,000 people.

Strong backing from communities

Our proposal for a new North Hampshire council covering the areas of Basingstoke and Deane, Hart and Rushmoor has gained overwhelming support from residents.

We asked people across the three areas for their views on joining together as a unitary council, that would also provide the services currently delivered by Hampshire County Council.

Almost 3,000 people responded to the survey with 10 to one backing the idea of the new unitary council of this size, rather than a unitary council covering a much larger area.

The business community, voluntary sector and town and parish councils also voiced strong support for the proposal, which would build on connections, help the local economy to thrive, deliver significant savings and improve services.

What happens next?

The government is expected to consult before Christmas on which option to take forward for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, before making the final decision on the new councils to be created from 1 April 2028. Check our website for information on how to have your say.

Find out more information about the new council proposals and devolution.

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Your skills, education and jobs

Content published 5 November 2025

Ice rink support

An empty unit at the leisure park is being given a new lease of life as part of the major refurbishment of Basingstoke ice rink.

Planet Ice has completed the first phase of refurbishment work to secure the future of the facility and allow Basingstoke Bison to return to the NIHL National League.

To make sure the rink remains a key regional draw for skaters and ice hockey fans, we have agreed to lease the former Little Frankie’s unit next to the rink to Nice Leisure Limited to enhance its food and drink offer. This forms part of our work to improve existing facilities and attract new operators to bring more leisure activities to Basingstoke Leisure Park.

Post office delivered

We have been working closely with the Post Office to secure a new branch in Basingstoke town centre, following the closure of WHSmith.

Following a lease agreement and refurbishment work, the new branch has opened at 4 Loddon Mall in The Malls Shopping Centre to reinstate essential services.

Support for young job seekers

We’ve teamed up with Inclusion Education and the Department for Work and Pensions to launch Basingstoke Youth Hub – a new service providing personalised employment support for young job seekers across the borough.

Designed to help young people take the next step in their career, support includes one-to-one coaching and mentoring, tailored CV writing and interview preparation, personalised job search support and training aimed at building essential skills and boosting confidence.

Hosted at Inclusion Education in Belvedere House in Basing View, the hub will initially focus on supporting young people currently registered with Jobcentre Plus with the potential to help more young people in the future.

Find out more about what jobs are available.

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Your customer support

Content published 5 November 2025

Let’s stay in touch

There are plenty of ways to stay up to date on what’s happening at the council and to contact us:

• Visit our website www.basingstoke.gov.uk
• See social media updates on Facebook and X @BasingstokeGov
• Sign up to our regular e-newsletter and get updates on services, news and events straight to your inbox www.basingstoke.gov.uk/SignUp
• Call us on 01256 844844 Mondays to Fridays from 8.30am to 4.30pm (except on bank holidays). In an emergency at the weekend, on a bank holiday or in the evening call this number and stay on the line to be connected to the out-of-hours service
• Text phone and Minicom users can dial 1800 1 followed by 01256 845276 to contact us via the Relay UK service.

For large print or other format, contact communications@basingstoke.gov.uk or call 01256 845220

Looking for a career with us? Search for jobs at https://jobs.basingstoke.gov.uk

Christmas opening hours

Our council offices will be closed from 4.30pm on Wednesday 24 December 2025 to 8.30am on Friday 2 January 2026. For emergencies during this time call 01256 844844 to be transferred to the out-of-hours service.

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Your advertising

Content published 5 November 2025

Be seen in Basingstoke and Deane

Reach over 81,000 homes in Basingstoke and Deane with an advert in our residents’ magazine Your Place.

See our latest rate card and get in touch by emailing communication@basingstoke.gov.uk or calling 01256 844844.

Your Place Magazine advertising rate for Spring 2026(PDF) [523 kb]

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