Combined March 26 jw v2 - Flipbook - Page 37
Community update Hayling Herald
Funding of £3.6m secures future of
Holiday Activities and Food programme
HAMPSHIRE County Council has welcomed the
Department for Education’s recent announcement confirming three years of continued national funding for the Holiday Activities and
Food (HAF) programme.
It secures the long-term future of HAF across
the county and ensures that thousands of children will continue to benefit from healthy meals,
enriching activities, and vital support during
school holidays.
in Hayling, these services are run from the
community centre under the connect4communities scheme.
As part of this renewed investment, the council received £3.6m for Hampshire, enabling the
continuation of its extensive network of trusted
providers who deliver high quality, inclusive
activities across the area.
To support delivery from 2026 onwards, the
County Council has confirmed 77 contracted
providers, offering a diverse range of opportunities for children and young people – from sports
and arts to nature activities, childcare, and educational workshops.
Providers include Motiv8 South, Park Community School, St. Barbe Museum and Art Gallery,
The Reptile Academy, and many others.
Councillor Roz Chadd, Executive Lead Member for Children’s Services, said: ‘We warmly
welcome the government’s confirmation of longterm funding for the HAF programme. Knowing
we have three years of certainty is invaluable for
families and providers alike.
‘We are also delighted to receive £3.6m for
Hampshire, which means we can continue delivering high quality food and activities through
our extensive network of providers.
‘No child should go hungry or miss out during
the holidays, and this funding allows us to maintain and strengthen this vital support.’
For the first time, HAF schemes will also run
during February half term, expanding the reach
of the programme and offering additional support to families at a typically expensive time of
year. Families can find more information about
the HAF programme at the connect4communities website. To book a place for February half
term, visit the HAF registration page.
Functional Fitness MOT Council Tax
MORE than 80 residents took part in a range
of free, simple fitness tests designed to measure
strength, balance and flexibility.
The Functional Fitness MOT event for residents
aged 50 was held at Hayling Island Community
Centre.
It was part of Hampshire County Council’s Live
Longer Better campaign, which aims to help older
residents stay independent, maintain an active lifestyle, and continue doing the activities they enjoy.
The tests—including sit-to-stand, one-leg balance and grip strength—provided participants
with insights into their physical abilities and areas
of improvement, using national benchmarks for
people of the same age. Attendees were also able
to access advice and information on local activities
and support services.
The event was delivered with support from Horizon Leisure Trust, Havant & Waterlooville PCN,
Hayling & Emsworth PCN, the Havant & Waterlooville Community Therapy Team (NHS), and
Physio-Logical. Former Mayor of Havant Rosy Raines also attended, along with Get Up and Go Ambassador Graham May.
Participant Nicky Brown, from Hayling, said: ‘You don’t know until you know. What you think, and
what you can actually do, are different. I was pleasantly surprised that I was above average on most
things and encouraged to do more.’
Councillor Gillian Harris, Cabinet Lead for Regeneration and Communities, added: ‘We are so
pleased at the success of this event, and the feedback from attendees shows how valuable these tests
can be in building confidence. We’re proud to support initiatives that help people live longer, healthier and happier lives.
‘Don’t worry if you missed this popular event, as there are many more fitness activities that you can
take part in.’
To find out about future events, as well as information on local activities and wider support, please
visit Get Up and Go’s website.
bills via email
RESIDENTS can now choose to receive their
Council Tax bill by email instead of a paper bill
through the post, without needing to sign up
for an online account.
The new, simplified e-billing option is part of
Havant Borough Council’s work to encourage the
use of digital services. By switching to e-bills, residents can help reduce paper waste and reliance
on postal services.
Sending bills electronically also reduces the
need for physical documents, helping to protect
residents against fraud.
Councillor Philippa Gray, Cabinet Lead for
Finance and Governance, said: ‘Giving residents
the choice of receiving their council tax bills by
email or post supports out commitment to delivering more accessible, secure, and environmentally friendly services.
‘E-billing reduces waste and cost for the council, freeing up council resources to support the
services that truly matter to residents.’
To switch to e-billing, residents simply need
to complete a short form on our website to start
receiving their council tax bills by email. Those
who wish to manage their council services online
can do so by creating a portal account, which can
be done via our website.
For more information, and to switch to e-billing, visit havant.gov.uk/council-tax
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