As this is my first column of 2025, it feels only right to start with a Happy New Year —though if we are being honest, it already feels like the 75th day of January!

We have started this year as we mean to go on and it has been non-stop action, with plenty of local visits and crucial meetings.

I’ve been busy urging Hampshire County Council to rethink several recent proposals. Firstly, I have asked HCC to re-consider their proposal to close the much-loved educational facility, Stubbington Study Centre.

The Study Centre has offered our children educational pursuits outside of the classroom, in environment, adventure and culture studies for many years.

Having this outdoor space to engage in educational experiences, helps children to foster their self-confidence and social skills, this is crucial for children’s development and personal growth.

READ MORE: Petition to save beloved Stubbington Study Centre centre hits 13,000 signatures

This Centre has been a valuable resource for generations of children and remains incredibly popular today.

Secondly, I have encouraged the Council to rethink their planned closure of Henry Cort Community College, which I believe will unnecessarily disrupt children’s learning. While I welcome the planned opening of Whiteley school in 2027, one of my concerns is that it is likely to reach capacity quickly, as it will have to accommodate many children from Henry Cort both in and outside catchment.

Consequently, children living both in and outside of the catchment area, are extremely likely to become displaced due to the lack of available spaces.

Further, a growing new estate in Welbourne will place an even greater burden on our local schools. 

It is our duty to ensure our children have the best start in life and the quality and accessibility of education plays a significant role in that.

READ MORE: Dame Caroline Dinenage and councillors battle to save 'well-loved' study centre

I am worried that this decision does not meet that test, and I hope to provide you with a further, more positive update soon.

Meanwhile, I have made some progress on a key election pledge in Parliament. Many of you will know about my campaign for a new Community Diagnostic Centre at Fareham Community Hospital.

I have now secured a meeting with the Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, to discuss this. Fareham Community Hospital is considerably underutilised, and it is vital to get this extra healthcare capacity in place as soon as we can.

Separately, I have also raised the lack of clarity regarding the Government’s Accessibility for All scheme, which will fund upgrades to train stations around the country.

The Hedge End and Swanwick stations in my constituency, are still in desperate need of accessible lifts.  Although the response I received did not provide any commitment, I won’t be giving up on this important campaign.

Finally, I am currently putting together a survey to ask for residents’ views on the traffic issues on Portsmouth Road, in Lowford. Many residents have contacted me about problems with traffic, causing vehicles to use the pavement, endangering pedestrians, especially children on their walk to school. 

I have raised this matter with Hampshire County Council previously, but so far to no avail. I will shortly be sharing the survey for your views and will make this available on my social media and website.

That is all for now!