East Hampshire District Council (EHDC) has improved people’s lives while continuing to deliver high-quality services over the last year.
The council provides a wide range of essential services to residents and businesses across the district - from food hygiene inspections to bin collections; leisure centres to planning - and they’re provided by dedicated staff who really care about doing a good job, supported by councillors who are at the heart of their communities.
Against a backdrop of tightening financial constraints, rising inflation and the added complexities of local government re-organisation, EHDC is proud of its record of results over the last twelve months. One of our key responsibilities is to collect council tax and business rates on behalf of Hampshire County Council, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Authority, the Police and Crime Commissioner, town and parish councils and EHDC.
The 2025-26 financial year saw improved business rates collection (97.6%) and the usual high level of council tax collection at 98.2% - outstripping the national average of 95.6%.
High collection rates help keep everyone’s council tax down – if everyone pays, everyone pays less.
Our residents are our top priority, this year the vast majority of people who have contacted our customer service team have also been happy with the help they’ve received, with a rise to 96% satisfaction.
Despite working in an ever-changing system, our Planning team was able to decide 100% of major applications within 13 weeks (or agreed extension) and 85% of minor applications in the same timescale.
We’ve also made major strides in a host of other vital areas:
- Providing training and 1-1 support for 29 small businesses in the area.
- Supporting the delivery of 257 new affordable homes with £545,000 approved to help deliver seven new shared equity homes in Medstead.
- Distributing £792,000 of funding through grants schemes (Councillor Grants, Grow Up! and the Community Climate Action Fund)
- Reducing our energy use and costs at Monterey House, producing 152,991kWh of power and saving approximately 27 tonnes of carbon dioxide.
- Working with Hampshire County Council to produce a well-crafted, evidenced, and detailed proposal Local Government Reorganisation and engage residents on it.
Councillor Richard Millard, Leader of EHDC, said: “Our progress over the last year has been incredible and is down to the dedication and commitment of our staff and councillors.
“By working together with our shared purpose of environmental sustainability, economic growth and prosperity, thriving communities and a modern and efficient council, we continue to achieve great things.”