The Hampshire Pledge
Message from the Leader of Hampshire County Council
We can all play a part in maintaining Hampshire as a wonderful place to live. We strive to take care of our neighbourhoods, our families, each other and our environment. But the financial challenges we face as a County Council, like many councils nationally, are significant which makes it harder to deliver all the things we used to be able to do in the past.
Growing demand in key services, particularly social care for those most in need, and less money from central Government means our budgets can’t keep pace. Over the past decade we’ve reduced our spending by over £0.7 billion to ensure we keep balancing the books and look after those most in need – having transformed how we work, become more efficient, innovative and commercial in our approach to delivering services, and now moving towards the delivery of just our core services, which are required by law.
The Hampshire Pledge sets out Hampshire County Council’s unwavering commitment to all our residents no matter our financial situation and in turn, what we ask of our residents, to help ensure we can be there for you – by lowering our costs, and ensuring your money works hard for you to keep delivering vital services.
We’re leaving no stone unturned as we endeavour to reduce our costs even further, and this is where we need your help. We believe the actions you take, working collaboratively with us via our 'Hampshire Pledge', can help ease some of the strain on our budgets so we can keep delivering vital services and serve the people of Hampshire.
Every action you can take, helps make a difference.
Cllr Nick Adams-KingLeader, Hampshire County Council
We promise that we will
Deliver quality, essential services, making every penny count
- Like roads, schools, libraries, social care, Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs)
- Support young people with special educational needs and disabilities
- Provide quality care and support for adults with disabilities, older adults and their carers
- Support adults to live independently and well in their own homes for longer
- Protect and support communities – including signposting on ways to help you tackle climate change
- Support your wellbeing and better health
Keep our children and adults safe
- Keep children and adults safe from abuse and harm
Support our local economy to flourish
- Work with our partners to create opportunities for Hampshire to prosper through jobs, skills and boosting the economy
- Enable or deliver the necessary infrastructure and transport schemes to support businesses and growth
- Take action against rogue traders
Listen, and be open, honest and kind
- Invite you to tell us your views through public consultations and engagement activity
- Communicate clearly and provide important information about how we are delivering for you
- Listen and respond to your feedback on how we serve communities
Make it easy for you to use our online services
- Provide access to reliable online services, 24 hours a day
- Make it easy for you to find the information you need on our website
Be a champion for Hampshire and our environment
- Continue to prioritise the needs of our residents and Hampshire’s environment in the decisions we make – including to help tackle climate change
- Support the development and delivery of the green skills of the future
- Help ensure Hampshire’s communities are fit for the future, by securing the right infrastructure in the right place at the right time
- Encourage communities to play their part in tackling climate change
- Look after, enhance and provide access to Hampshire’s rich and diverse natural environment
Work together with our partners on behalf of Hampshire
- Work with Hampshire’s MPs and other local authorities to represent and promote the interests of Hampshire’s residents
- Collaborate with police, fire, health and voluntary sector partners to deliver best value for taxpayers
- Build on our relationship with businesses and the education sector to create more opportunities for Hampshire residents
- Look out for the people of Hampshire today, and for future generations, through the national devolution agenda – to bring more powers from central Government to Hampshire
- Secure the best possible deal to benefit Hampshire’s residents, within Government’s local government reorganisation plans
We’re asking you to
Support your local community and share concerns of harm
- Volunteer and take part in local projects and groups, share your skills, become a mentor or simply lend a hand
- Tell us if you’re worried about the safety or wellbeing of children and adults
- Check on neighbours who might need help in hot and cold weather, offer to lend a hand, or provide companionship
- Use salt bins to help clear footpaths in icy conditions
- Help neighbours get online if they aren’t able
Take time to focus on your health and wellbeing
- Get more active and make healthier food choices
- Enjoy the outdoors and nature
- Quit smoking and reduce your alcohol intake
- Choose more active ways to travel like walking and cycling where possible
Recycle well, recycle better
- Create less waste to reduce costs for you and us, and minimise disposal
- Ensure you re-use and recycle as much as possible
- Use the correct bins so recycling isn’t contaminated, and so we can recycle as much as possible
Support our local businesses
- Shop locally
- Use reputable local tradespeople and professionals
- Know a good local business? Recommend and promote it to others, and via your social media
Use our online services
- Use our quick and easy OurHants app for reporting potholes and other road defects
- Book a slot online or via the app for your visit to our HWRCs
- Visit our website first before contacting us when you need to find something out about our services
- Use our online contact channels when you do need to get in touch with us
Take pride in Hampshire and our environment
- Explore and enjoy Hampshire’s countryside and nature
- Engage with local conservation and ‘green’ projects
- Learn how you can help tackle climate change and take steps to reduce your carbon footprint - and encourage friends and family to do the same
- Use greener ways to travel like walking, cycling and using public transport where you can – boosting your health, improving air quality and helping the environment
- Take care of and look after your surroundings
Get involved to have your say and share your feedback
- Take part in our surveys and public consultations to tell us your views
- Be honest and constructive so we can deliver the best possible services for you
- Use our online channels to have your say or to provide your comments
Stay up to date with news and information on the Hampshire Pledge
Ways you can keep informed:
- Visit our news webpages: www.hants.gov.uk/News
- Subscribe to our residents e-newsletter: Your Hampshire
- Follow us on social media:
