Meon Valley Times

14/02/2025

It's not such a Happy Valentine's Day for the owner of a flower stall in Droxford. A thief took all the flowers from Debbie Foster's Flower Pedlar stall overnight. The stall - which operates on an honesty basis with customers leaving the money for their purchases - was completely cleared out. Debbie...

14/02/2025

Political opponents have hit out at Hampshire County Council’s latest budget – in which council tax will be hiked – saying it has “no vision” and leaders are “kicking the can” until the problem “is for somebody else”. It comes as Hampshire County Council has approved the 2025/26 bu...

13/02/2025

https://meonvalleytimes.co.uk/council-tax-in-hampshire-to-increase-by-double-the-rate-of-inflation/

Hampshire County Council will increase council tax by 4.995 per cent for 2025/26. The decision means that the council tax for band D for the year beginning April 1, 2025, is £1,609.83, an increase of £1.47 per week, of which 2 per cent is specifically for adult social care. This amount does not in...

13/02/2025

Hampshire Police have caught drivers doing 90mph on 30mph roads, new figures have revealed. Hampshire is among amost half of UK police forces (48%) that have caught motorists driving over 90mph on 30mph roads – more than three times the speed limit. A Freedom of Information request by the RAC to t...

12/02/2025

The county council’s chief financial officer is to retire after 40 years of local government service – but not before sounding the alarm bell over the authority’s dire financial situation. Rob Carr, Hampshire County Council’s deputy chief executive, chief financial officer and director of co...

12/02/2025

Campaigners and charities are urging Hampshire County Council to halt cuts to bus passes for disabled and older people. Community campaigners, disability rights groups, and local charities have come together to oppose planned cuts to Hampshire County Council’s concessionary travel scheme. The deci...

10/02/2025

Breathtaking photos capture beauty of National Park’s dark skies https://meonvalleytimes.co.uk/breathtaking-photos-capture-beauty-of-national-parks-dark-skies/

10/02/2025

Farmers from the Meon Valley were among thousands who protested again the increase in inheritance tax.

From April 2026, inherited agricultural assets valued over £1 million, which were previously exempt, will be taxed at 20%—half the standard rate.

The government defended the policy, stating: "This is a fair and balanced approach that supports public services, impacting around 500 estates annually."

10/02/2025

A dazzling display of the Milky Way at Cuckmere Haven and a hauntingly beautiful shot of the legendary Chanctonbury Ring are among the winners of this year’s astrophotography competition. This year broke a record since the contest’s inception in 2020, with more than 200 entries of incredible nig...

10/02/2025

Devolution: what happens now?

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner announced last week that Hampshire is among six new potential devolution areas. But what is devolution, what does it mean for the region and why have May’s county elections been postponed? After eight previous attempts, devolution is now set to happen and here i...

07/02/2025

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07/02/2025

Marwell Zoo has announced a major redevelopment including a new cafe, plaza and events space. The plans will also see the demolition of the zoo's current and original entrance moving and its relocation. The new cafe, The Keeper's Kitchen, and event spaces, will be open to all - not visitors to the z...

06/02/2025

Hampshire County Council won’t be asking residents to go to the polls to vote on a mammoth 15 percent council tax increase. The council’s deputy chief executive recommended the hike – much higher than the limit of five percent – so either government approval or a referendum would be needed t...

06/02/2025

Police investigating a breach of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SPO) have charged a man. Jay Davey, 23, of Tortoiseshell Close in Curbridge, has been charged with the following offences: Breaching a s*xual harm prevention order Failing to comply with a notification requirement for the s*x offenders...

06/02/2025

Hampshire and the Isle of Wight’s fire service has been wrangling with a huge budget gap that it’s now bringing under control – but it will hike council tax by the maximum amount. The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Authority has managed to reduce its deficit to £1.8 million, whic...

05/02/2025

Detectives investigating a report of a r**e in Whiteley have made two further arrests. Police were called just before 8pm on Friday January 31st to the report following an incident in an address in the North Whiteley area. The victim is being supported by specialist officers. Yesterday officers arre...

05/02/2025

The government has announced that Hampshire and the Solent region will be part of the devolution fast-track initiative. As a result of this decision, the upcoming county council election has been cancelled. The decision to fast-track the region application will establish a new Strategic Mayoral Auth...

05/02/2025

The plan to close an outdoor study centre in Hampshire has been slammed because the process has a critical lack of proper scrutiny. Hampshire County Council’s plan to close Stubbington Study Centre has already “sent shockwaves” through Portsmouth and the city council’s leader said it would b...