September 2026 Report from Cllr James Batho, Hampshire County Councillor

Welcome to my monthly report as the Hampshire County Councillor for the Winchester

Downlands Division. My aim is to provide a regular update on county-level matters affecting

Compton & Shawford and the wider division, together with information about local issues

that residents have raised and the work I am undertaking on their behalf. As always, if there

are any issues that the Parish Council would like me to investigate or pursue with HCC,

please let me know.

Meetings

At HCC Full Council I presented a Motion on reducing speed limits and asked questions

about

• progress of the review on reducing speed limits from 40-30mph on Badger Farm Road, Chilbolton Avenue, Harestock Road and Stockbridge Road
• Free School Meals
• progress on installing parking restrictions in Olivers Battery
• Hockley – Otterbourne NCN Link option selection

At WCC Full Council received confirmation that WCC CIL can be used to support HCC speed reduction programs that encourage Active Travel and promote walking and cycling.

• Universal Services Committee Chair to agree adding speed limit review to forward agenda
• Sparsholt College Principal Julie Milburn to understand challenges facing young people and how to improve skills training
• HCC Travel Planning team to look at Active Travel options for schools
• Highways team for briefing on Badger Farm Road/Olivers Battery North consultation
• Executive Member for Highways Cllr Steve Forster to raise issues across the Division
• Attended Summer Roadshow events with MP Danny Chambers

Local Government Reorganisation

Future Hampshire is the area-wide programme that is coordinating the local government

reorganisation (LGR) across the 14 councils involved. This website has been created to

provide a single source of information about the Hampshire-wide programme, key milestones and what the changes mean for residents, businesses, and partners.

https://www.futurehampshire.gov.uk

HCC is still currently pursuing a judicial review of the Local Government Reorganisation proposals. Before any decision is made, the council must weigh the likely financial implications and potential costs involved.

I will continue to monitor developments and share factual updates as more information

becomes available.

Local issues raised

I have raised or followed up on local issues on behalf of residents and the Parish Council.

These include:

• discussion with Executive Member for Highways, raised Highways response to Bushfield Camp and reduction of speed on Otterbourne Road.

Community Engagement

One of the most valuable aspects of being a councillor is hearing directly from residents

about the issues affecting their daily lives.

Monthly Drop-In Surgery

When: Second Thursday of each month at 2pm

Where: Starbucks, Badger Farm

No appointment is necessary – residents are welcome to drop in for an informal conversation.