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Home , Chilcomb, Durley, George Hollingbery, Kilmeston, Meonstoke (hundred), Shirrell Heath

George Hollingbery’s 8th Annual Report NEWS IN BRIEF

TA X inwith Bishop’stouch Waltham The increase in personal allowance to £11,000 by 2016–17 will lift an additional 73,000 individuals out of tax. GEORGE HOLLINGBERY House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA 4.3 million people will see an average real terms gain. February 2016

Dear Resident, First I want to thank all those who voted for me in May last year for your support and for re-electing me as your Member of WAGES Parliament. The National Living Wage will The last fi ve years as your MP have been a fantastic experience give 300,000 people in the South East a pay rise by 2020. and I look forward to representing you for the next fi ve. There are 145,000 more While the journey towqrds healing Britain’s economic ills is by no businesses in the South East than in 2010. means over, there is much to celebrate in where we fi nd ourselves. Britain is now one of the fastest growing major economies in the world; we are reducing our spending and there are now more people in work than ever before.

But there are signs of problems coming along the road with the EMPLOYMENT Chinese economy looking uncertain, the price of oil undermining Employment is up in the South producers’ economies and the near certainty of interest rate rises. East by 242,000 since 2010. That’s why we have now set out our Unemployment is down by 32,000 in the last year. plan to continue to reform public services, reduce unaffordable public spending and so ensure our long-term economic recovery. There are still diffi cult decisions ahead but by working together we can make our THE NHS country better for everyone who lives here. English A&Es see 3,000 more patients a day within four hours Yours ever, than in 2009. There are 1,000 more GPs and 40 million more appointments each year than under Labour between 1997 and 2010.

Focussing Keeping us Housing & Out & about on business safe Employment 2 3 4,5 6 WORKING FOR THE MEON VALLEY PE1 5TD. Peterborough, Road, Newark Ltd. Company Sharmans & by 0QT and printed SO24 Alresford, Stoke, Itchen Farm, Manor of both of MVCA on behalf M Barnes by Promoted 2 | George Hollingbery’s Annual Report Staying in touch with local business Local business puts itself in the sunshine

Meeting with HBS Southern in

Opening Baxter Hall At the Apprentices Fair at Tech Installing Meon Valley Recruitment in Shedfi eld renewable energy for all HBS Southern are a growing business in south . The Bull family have evolved their interests and changed with the times. Starting out as a fi rm of local plumbers, the latest generation has added on renewable Touring Hill Farm Juice in energy installation to the portfolio of interests the business has. Now one of the biggest participants in the market for solar panels in the area, HBS works closely with builders to install solar panels on the social housing element in new developments like Windmill Field in Clanfi eld. George said: ”The Meon Valley is full of new and exciting businesses moving with the times. It’s great to see and good news for local employment.” At the People’s Market in Hambledon

George with Head Vet Cara Golden GOING TO THE VETS George popped into Whiteley Village Vets to meet the team and to congratulate Cara Golden on her shortlisting for Vet of the Year in the 2015 Petplan Veterinary Awards. Head vet Cara was nominated for her work treating a host of complicated cases and coaching young vets abroad. VISITING HAMBLEDON VINEYARD George visited Hambledon George was keen to highlight the success Vineyard to congratulate of another Meon Valley business. the team on winning an “As the owner of several animals myself, I international award for their know how worrying it can be when one falls sparkling wine. ill.” said George. The vineyard saw off competition from 240 other “This is yet another example of a small wines from across the globe business thriving here in the Meon Valley.” to be given the Euposia award for Best UK and International Sparkling Wine 2015. George Says: “Small businesses are the lifeblood of our economy. They have been at the centre of our economic recovery and George with MD Ian Kellett and Cllr Rob Humby record levels of employment.” George Hollingbery’s Annual Report | 3 CONSERVATIVE CANDIDATE KEEPING US SAFE FOR POLICE AND CRIME HERE AT HOME COMMISSIONER The Conservative Government announced ■ £500 million for counter-terrorism to a range of measures in the November increase the capability of the police to Spending Review to boost law and order pursue terrorists, counter ideologies at and protect our citizens. home, and ensure that the UK is properly This Government is taking strong action to prepared in the event of an attack. cut crime and keep us safe, including: ■ The creation of a new National Digital ■ A £900 million boost for the police by Exploitation Service, upgraded borders 2020 as police spending is protected in intelligence systems, enhanced intelligence real terms for the next fi ve years. coverage in prisons, improved ability to share biometrics data with the UK’s ■ £200 million of new capital investment counter-terrorism partners overseas and to the National Crime Agency to help the increased aviation security both at UK and Michael Lane has been chosen as the fi ght against serious and organised crime. international airports. Conservative candidate for the role of Police and Crime Commissioner in Hampshire. After a distinguished military career as a Commodore in the Royal Navy, Michael has brought his skills and motivation to further community and public service in Hampshire. He has worked for and has also undertaken a wide range of charitable and voluntary roles including for the Alzheimer’s Society. Michael believes there is a need to improve the public visibility of the Police and Crime Commissioner and its democratic role in giving a local voice for policing priorities. WORKING TO TACKLE RURAL CRIME In seeking a safer Hampshire, he believes there needs to be an even The Meon Valley is a largely rural area constituency, I’m very much aware of the devastating greater emphasis on core policing which means it is vulnerable to rural crime. impact rural crime has on communities. activity and tackling of crime. George is working hard with local residents and If high levels of crime took place in an urban Michael says: “If elected, there will be the police to cut illegal activity in the countryside. area there would be uproar, so it is right that the no other priority for me than to deliver He regularly meets with the Chief Constable, Police rural community makes sure the problem is in the a safer place for people to thrive and and Crime Commissioner as well as the local limelight.” criminals be deterred, prevented and Inspectors in his patch with rural crime always near In October, George also met with the Hampshire brought to justice.” the top of the agenda. Police and Crime Commissioner, Hampshire County The election for Police and Crime George says: “As I represent a largely rural Council Chief Executive, Chief Inspector Hampshire Commissioner will be held on the 5th Constabulary of Road Policing and and May 2016. Parish Council to discuss the complaints from residents and local councils regarding loud Michael can be found on his website: motorcycle exhaust emissions in and around the http://michael4hampshire-pcc.uk A272 and the A32. It was confi rmed that the possibility of installing WHAT IS A PCC? average speed cameras will be investigated at hot The role of Police and Crime spots along the “riders’ route.” Commissioner is to work with Chief George has since met with representatives from Constables to set the direction for both the British Motorcycling Federation and the policing in their area. Motorcycle Industry Association. They have offered They do not manage the force on a day their support in reducing the illegal noise levels to day basis but provide a democratic produced by a minority of riders that adversely oversight and are responsible for holding affect so many people living along the routes. the Chief Constable to account. The matter will be raised at the All Party The buck stops with commissioners, the Parliamentary Motorcycle Group later this year in public cast judgment at the ballot box, an attempt to create momentum within the industry voting out commissioners who don’t cut George with former Chief Constable Andy Marsh and amongst user groups. crime or address local concerns. 4 | George Hollingbery’s Annual Report

HOUSINGHELPING GENERATION RENT MOVE TO GENERATION BUY George with First Wessex CX Peter Walters REDUCING SOCIAL RENTS Housing is one of the most important issues for the Conservative Government and Housing Associations have a key role to play in ensuring that good homes are available to everyone who needs one. To help those in need, the Government has told Housing Associations that they have to reduce the rents they charge by 1% a year Offi cial statistics show that our plan to In addition, 17,502 home buyers have been for the next few years which has been a make home ownership an achievable dream supported through Help to Buy – enabling them challenging target for some to meet. is working across the country. to buy their home with a fraction of the deposit With a 25 per cent increase in housing supply they would normally require. George recently met with Peter Walters, since last year, there are now 170,690 more In the Meon Valley alone, more than 300 new CEO of First Wessex Housing to discuss new houses available for people who want homes were built in the last year, one of the these changes and First Wessex’s plans for good quality homes, both to rent and buy. best results in the country. the future of housing in the Meon Valley. GETTING THE RIGHT HOUSES IN THE RIGHT PLACES The beginning of last year was a critical time permissions granted wasn’t enough to hold back for where houses were built in the Meon Valley unwanted development. constituency. The consequence was a rash of speculative had got their Local Plan in place giving the applications, in places like Horndean and Clanfi eld, council fi rm control of what is built where. from developers seeking to exploit this diffi culty and We worked closely The same wasn’t true in the get permission for sites that no-one wanted. wih the council and District area or in where the Local Plans Great efforts from both the local councils and from others to deal with the were some way off completion and the amount of local people resulted in the grant of permission for problem 700 new homes to the east of Horndean. This wasn’t universally welcomed by all but the vast majority of those living in and around Horndean felt that this was the best place for their allocation of homes to be built. The grant of permission was incredibly important as it allowed the council to show that they had granted permission to build enough houses that the The grant of permission at the ‘land east of speculative applications weren’t needed. Horndean’ helped a lot Nationally, Ministers are helping reduce the building pressure on the countryside by making it easier to convert empty and redundant retail buildings into homes. These reforms will not only rejuvenate high streets and market towns, but they will help increase the supply of homes.. In the end though, the only sure way to get the right houses in the right places is by making certain George ran a planning Opening a site in Wickham built on an old industrial site that our councils have up to date Local Plans that conference to explain developers can’t challenge. the rules George Hollingbery’s Annual Report | 5 EMPLOYMENT

APPRENTICESHIPS SUCCESS Apprenticeships can give young people a real opportunity to learn a valuable skill while earning at the same time. They can raise the productivity of the Unemployment has fallen in the Meon Valley by 16% in the last year with just 377 people businesses they join and give young claiming Jobseekers Allowance. people a sense of achievement and pride. Nationally, this fall in unemployment is benefi tting people from all walks of life. During the last Parliament, we saw the biggest ever increase in the numbers Youth unemployment is down by 200,000 since 2010 and long-term unemployment is down by of apprenticeships with over two million 210,000 in the same period, whilst the number of older workers is at a record high. people starting a placement. Last year in There is also a record number of women in work, up 180,000 over the past year, and in the the Meon Valley, 890 people took up an same period the number of disabled people in work has increased by 238,000. apprenticeship. Action by the Conservative Government has also meant that it is easier for businesses to hire apprentices by THE BENEFITS abolishing employers’ National Insurance contributions for apprenticeships under CAP EXPLAINED 25 from April 2016. The Government is committed to going Under the Benefi ts Cap, no out-of-work family can receive more in total benefi ts than further and delivering three million more the average family gets in work. apprenticeships by 2020. The current level of the Cap is £26,000 a year, the same as the average salary. This translates to £500 a week for couples and those with children and £350 a week for single people, To ensure high quality training equivalent to the take-home pay of those earning a pre-tax salary of £35,000 a year. the Government will introduce an The Government plans to reduce it further to £23,000 in London and £20,000 in the rest of apprenticeship levy on all large fi rms and the country in April 2016, to bring it more in line with average take-home pay instead of gross those that offer apprenticeships can get earnings. more back than they put in. Statistics show that this approach is working. The money will be directly controlled by By guaranteeing that individuals will always be better off in work and putting an end to employers and the Government will work runaway benefi t claims, the cap is having a real impact in changing attitudes and behaviours. with business on how to do this. Since it was introduced, almost 20,000 households have made the choice to move into work 650,000 people were on an or stop claiming Housing Benefi t. apprenticeship during the fi rst half of this year, including more than 400,000 16 to 24 year olds.

Meeting apprentices in Whiteley 6 | George Hollingbery’s Annual Report OUT AND ABOUT IN THE IMMIGRATION CHALLENGE MEON VALLEY

Recent immigration fi gures have been ■ Implemented new powers to block bail Super-fast broadband disappointing with net migration up by 94,000 when someone is scheduled to be removed comes to Cheriton since March 2014 to 330,000. within 14 days and required private landlords These numbers show the scale of the to check the immigration status of new tenants challenge we face and why we need to re- or risk a civil penalty. double our efforts to build an effi cient and ■ Targeted sham marriages with a new effective immigration system that puts Britain scheme which means that all marriages and fi rst by clamping down on abuses. civil partnerships where one party may gain The Immigration Act 2014 is delivering real an immigration advantage by marrying are benefi ts and puts the law fi rmly on the side of referred to the Home Offi ce before the marriage those who respect it, while cracking down on can take place. those who break it. The new Immigration Bill will go even further All of the measures in the Act have now been by creating a new criminal offence of illegal The Sustainability Centre implemented and are already having an impact. working and allowing the Government to seize near Clanfi eld Since July 2014, we have: and confi scate illegal wages. ■ Reduced the number of appeal routes in There will also be an extension of the ‘deport the immigration system from 17 to 4. fi rst, appeal later’ approach to ensure that even ■ Revoked over 11,000 driving licences from more illegal migrants are removed from the UK. illegal migrants. No-one is pretending that immigration levels ■ Deported over 1,000 foreign criminals who are where the Government wanted them to be would previously have had a right to appeal in but every effort is being made to control the the UK. numbers coming in and to deport those who A new defi brillator for shouldn’t be here. Bishop’s Waltham

Visiting Hexion CCT to open the fi rm’s new Consuta Training facility

A STRONG ECONOMY IS NEEDED FOR A STRONG NHS Seeing expanding A strong economy has meant that the meant that NHS administration costs have business GTMS in W’ville Government has been able to carry on been reduced while the number of health increasing spending in the NHS. professionals in the NHS since the General The Government increased the NHS budget by Election has increased. £7 billion in real terms over the last fi ve years. There are now over 6,300 more nurses, over The Conservative’s long-term economic plan 8,500 more doctors and around 6,500 fewer means we are able to go further and commit managers working in the NHS than in 2010. in Government to increasing NHS spending These reforms have meant that the NHS has in in real terms by a minimum of £8 saved £5.5 billion on bureaucracy over the past billion by 2020. fi ve years. Under this Government the NHS has been With healthcare costs ever increasing the Keeping up to date with ranked as the top health system in the world by NHS will always face funding challenges but one new cancer treatments the Commonwealth Fund. thing is for sure: a strong economy is needed to Reforms over the past fi ve years have keep it going. George Hollingbery’s Annual Report | 7

WARD CHANGES FOR ELECTIONS WINCHESTER MAY 2016 The Local Government Boundary Commission completed its review of the Winchester City Council District recently. Following 18 months of consultation the Commission reported on the changes that are needed to meet the current rules on how local representation must work in the district. The effect is to reduce the number of Councillors from 57 to 45 with effect from 5th May 2016. Ward boundaries have been changed to refl ect this so that each Councillor represents a similar number of residents. Throughout the District there are sixteen wards. Most will have three Councillors (with just three having two Councillors). Ten of the new wards are within the Winchester Constituency area, with six falling within the Meon Valley. Details of the changes are shown in the map and notes below.

The Bishop’s Waltham team: Cllrs. Steve Miller, Rob Humby, George Hollingbery M.P. and David McLean

It is with regret that Tom Ruffell is unable to stand again this year due to work relocation. Following the Boundary Review, the parish of will become part of an enlarged Bishop’s Waltham ward. Cllr. Rob Humby, who is currently one of the city councillors representing Durley, will be standing this May with the hope of representing the new Bishop’s Waltham & Durley ward. If elected, this should give the residents of Bishop’s Waltham & Durley a strong team with representation at city, county and parliamentary levels.

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL IN 2015 TWO-member Ward • From 2013 through to 2018, the County Upper Meon Valley Council will have built around 11,000 additional primary school places. This ward will consist of the parishes of , & , Cheriton, , Corhampton & Meonstoke, Exton, , , , Upham, and . (Note • The current number of Year 7 places needed that Bishop’s Sutton, although part of the Meon Valley constituency will be within the Alresford & Itchen in Hampshire is 12,861 with current capacity Valley Ward and this is part of the Winchester constituency. Similarly, Chilcomb, although in this new Upper at 16,015. Indicative fi gures for Hampshire Meon Valley ward, remains part of the Winchester constituency.) show that the capital funding of schools over the next ten years is around £401m. THREE-member Wards • There are around 20,000 people currently Bishops Waltham living with dementia in Hampshire. A This ward will consist of the town of Bishop’s Waltham and the parish of Durley. pioneering new Pathfi nder scheme in Central Meon Valley partnership with Argenti Telecare, is now under way to support such people. This ward will comprise the parishes of , Hambledon, , Swanmore and the • The Hampshire Public Health School Nursing area from Shedfi eld Parish Service has been enhanced to support vulnerable older children and offers well-being This ward will consist of the parish of Denmead and part of the Southwick & parish around the West checks for children in Year 6. of development area. • Hampshire County Council came top for Southwick & Wickham residents’ satisfaction in a recent poll of County Councils in the South East. This ward will comprise the parish of Wickham (including Knowle), , and the remainder of the parish of Southwick & Widley. • Highway teams are ready to deal with winter weather. From October to April, there are 51 Whiteley & Shedfi eld vehicles on standby with in-house training , Whiteley and the Shedfi eld and Shirrell Heath parts of Shedfi eld parish will make up this ward. for all drivers having been completed. All community salt bins are now fi lled. The other ten wards fall in the Winchester Constituency. 8 | George Hollingbery’s Annual Report RURAL POST OFFICES ARE A Cllrs. Tom Ruffell, David McLean & Stephen Miller PRIORITY WINCHESTER Councillor Rob Humby, Hampshire County Council’s Rural Champion, is taking up the fi ght to CITY COUNCIL protect rural post offi ces. ACHIEVEMENTS Recent changes by the Post Offi ce have seen many branches downgraded or closed altogether and 1. Despite lower government funding Rob is working hard to tackle the problem. Conservatives have maintained all front line Rob said: services while keeping Council Tax the same for the last 5 years. “Post offi ces in villages all across Hampshire are 2. Increasing the supply of affordable homes often at the heart of the local community and and new council homes across the district. really can make all the difference in combatting 172 being built in 2013/15 plus 106 council rural social isolation. houses granted permission. We are committed to helping keep Hampshire’s 3. Helping local businesses and rural enterprises rural communities vibrant and thriving. I have with boosts to grants, Wheels to Work written to Post Offi ce Chief Executive Paula schemes, Jobseekers mentoring, support with Vennells and invited her to come and discuss the Universal Credit and new digital technologies. future of our post offi ce network. 4. Our dedicated offi cer continues to help our What we need now is clarity from the Post Offi ce County Cllr. Rob Humby outside Market Towns to remain thriving business on how they are going to deliver the government’s Bishop’s Waltham Post Offi ce locations. commitment to secure the future of 3,000 rural 5. Supporting our older population by providing branches.” specialist housing, promoting independent living and awareness courses on dementia. 6. Promoting Winchester District as a Tourist centre. Visitor numbers up from 4.2m in 2010 REPORTING BACK to 5.5m in 2014. Our target in Bishops Waltham has been to increase the number of affordable homes, and with the developments and our plan policies that will happen which will provide homes for young 7. An overall reduction of Council carbon Bishop’s Waltham residents. emissions by 14.3% since 2005; using electric vehicles and investing in Euro 6 cleaner engine Bishop’s Waltham City Councillors continue to support the Town Team in its aim to ensure a buses for our Park and Ride. vibrant and healthy high street. Your District Councillors have again protected the 1 hour free 8. We have a valid Local Plan which helps us parking to help support our High Street. to resist unsuitable developments — a better Winchester is supporting the Parish Council in its aim to provide the new car park at Jubilee Hall position than neighbouring councils! with a grant of £50,000, to free up spaces in the centre of the town. 9. Working with other organisations to strengthen Following last year’s fl oods City Councillors attended briefi ngs to understand what could be done fl ood defences. to help in the event of further fl ooding in Bishops Waltham, and will continue to support local people and work with other agencies and are grateful for the support of Rob Humby and HCC. Contact your local Conservative team CITY COUNCILLOR DAVID MCLEAN Can you help? 23 Morley Drive, Bishops Waltham, , Display a poster Help on Polling Day SO32 1RX 01489 891 911 [email protected] Deliver leafl ets Register as a supporter CITY COUNCILLOR STEVE MILLER Help with campaigning Vote by post 13 Garfi eld Close, Bishops Waltham, SOUTHAMPTON, How would you like us to contact you? By phone By email SO32 1AQ 01489 891 122 [email protected] Name CITY COUNCILLOR TOM RUFFELL Address Northwood House, Owslebury, WINCHESTER, SO21 1LX 01962 777 236 [email protected] COUNTY COUNCILLOR ROB HUMBY Phone Email

Hangar Nurseries, Thompsons Lane, Owslebury, How we use your information The data you provide will be retained by the Conservative Party and Meon Valley Conservaitve Association in accordance with the provisions of the Data WINCHESTER, SO21 1JH 01962 777 673 Protection Act 1998 and related legislation. By providing your data to us, you are consenting to the data holders making contact with you in the future by telephone, text or other means, even though you may be registered with the Telephone Preference Service. Your data will not be sold or given to anyone not [email protected] connected to the Conservative Party. If you do not want the information you give to us to be used in this way, or for us to contact you, please indicate by ticking the relevant boxes: Post � Email � SMS � Phone � GEORGE HOLLINGBERY M.P. MVCA, Manor Farm, Itchen Stoke, House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA. MEON VALLEY Alresford, SO24 0QT 01962 734 076 CONSERVATIVES [email protected] [email protected] Promoted by Anne Pearson on behalf of MVCA both of Manor Farm, Itchen Stoke, Alresford, SO24 0QT and printed by Sharmans & Company Ltd. Newark Road, Peterborough, PE1 5TD.