Gosport Conservatives

03/09/2026

📢 You Said. We Listened.

At the local elections, we promised to bring open and honest leadership back to Gosport Borough Council. That means making sure residents can be involved in what the Council is doing and, quite literally, can hear what is being said.

For too long, the microphone set-up at Council meetings simply wasn’t fit for purpose. Residents and councillors raised concerns about meetings being difficult to hear, but under the previous administration it was not treated as a financial priority, while huge amounts of time and money were being focused on projects such as Criterion.

We have taken a different approach.

Rather than overcomplicating things, we have delivered a best-value solution that improves the experience for residents attending meetings and helps make it easier for people to follow and participate in local democracy. 🎙️

Eight new wireless gooseneck microphones have now been introduced, providing additional capacity for Council and committee meetings. They have been tested successfully and will work alongside the existing equipment where needed.

It might seem like a small change, but it is exactly the kind of practical improvement we promised: a Council that is more open, more accessible and focused on getting the basics right.

You said it. We listened. We delivered.

02/09/2026

Concerns about the Haslar Immigration Removal Centre continue to hit my mailbag.

Today I met with the new responsible Minister, Anna Turley, to once again demand improvements to engagement, communication and complaints handling.

With the consultation on Phase Two now concluded I raised constituents’ broader concerns, including the height of the proposed buildings and proximity to neighbouring residents. I also pressed for further reassurance about the nature and pathway of the inmates to be secured there.

I hope the Minister agreed with me that there has been an appalling lack of proper engagement, consultation and communication throughout this whole process.

I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve had this conversation with successive Ministers.

I will not give up pushing to ensure residents' voices are heard.

02/09/2026

Separate to the planning application objection Cllr Zoe Huggins BEM Leader of the council wrote to the Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood.

Speaking to GB News Zoe said

“Our message is clear, give us a public inquiry, not just written representation”

We are calling for greater transparency and where possible reduction in the redactions on the planning application, an inquiry and proper scrutiny and a community liaison panel.

'Our message is really, really clear: give us a public inquiry, not just written representation,' the local leader said

28/08/2026

🚨 ENOUGH IS ENOUGH – ACTION ON ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR 🚨

Gosport Police have today issued a Dispersal Order from 7:00pm this evening (Friday 28 August) covering areas including Lee-on-the-Solent, Marine Parade, the Hardway and Stokes Bay.

This follows continued concerns and reports of anti-social behaviour, nuisance vehicles, excessive noise and disruptive gatherings affecting residents, visitors and local businesses.

Let’s be absolutely clear, this behaviour is not acceptable and should not be allowed to blight our communities.

Residents should be able to enjoy their homes, our seafront and public spaces without being subjected to intimidation, excessive noise, dangerous or inconsiderate driving and persistent anti-social behaviour.

The Dispersal Order gives officers additional powers to deal with those causing problems, and I welcome the fact that Gosport Police are continuing to take action rather than simply allowing this behaviour to continue. 👮‍♂️

This is about protecting the quality of life of the vast majority of people who live, work and visit Lee-on-the-Solent, the Hardway and Stokes Bay.

Enough is enough. Our communities deserve better and persistent anti-social behaviour must have consequences.

Please continue to report incidents to Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary. Your reports matter and help build the intelligence and evidence needed to target those responsible.

👏 Thank you to the Officers and PCSOs continuing to work hard across our communities.

27/08/2026

I have noticed an increase in emails from residents concerned about injuries to local wildlife caused by discarded or lost fishing tackle.

Sadly, a cygnet has recently been injured by fishing tackle at Apple Dumpling Bridge. Fishing is a great way to get outdoors and enjoy our local environment, but please do fish responsibly and make sure that hooks, fishing line and other tackle are never left behind.

Of course, accidents can happen and tackle can sometimes be lost, but discarded line and hooks can cause serious injuries to swans and other wildlife.

Please enjoy our local waterways responsibly and help protect the wonderful wildlife we are so lucky to have on our doorstep. 🦢🎣

26/08/2026

We support Donna Jones for Mayor campaign 👇

26/08/2026

📬 The latest edition of Conservative-run Gosport Borough Council’s Coastline newsletter is out, with plenty of updates from across the Borough.

This month’s edition includes the Council’s challenge to the Government’s plans for Haslar Immigration Removal Centre, the latest on improvements to Gosport’s historic waterfront, two new pickleball courts at Privett Park and details of the Bank Holiday market.

There is also information on preparing for emergencies, support available for those worried about the cost of living and how residents can attend Council meetings.

You can read the latest edition of Coastline 👉

25/08/2026

Cllr Lesley Meenaghan, Conservative Chair of Gosport Borough Council's Housing Board.

"Our housing team is working tirelessly to address the issues identified, and while significant progress has been made across key compliance areas, we remain focused on delivering further lasting improvements for our residents.”

The full cost of fixing serious failures at council homes is still unknown despite £2.275 million already being set aside.

Gosport Borough Council said it is too early to know whether the funding will cover the final bill, with a major survey of its housing stock yet to begin.

Nearly 300 fire-safety jobs were still waiting to be completed when the authority launched its recovery programme.

This followed a watchdog finding serious failures in the way tenants were being looked after, at the end of last year.

The package includes £625,000 from housing reserves for expert advice and extra temporary staff, along with £1.65 million for urgent repair work.

A full survey of the council’s homes is due to begin shortly, and the results will show what further repairs and spending may be needed in the coming years.

Conservative Cllr Lesley Meenaghan, who chairs the council’s Housing Board, said: “We are committed to ensuring our residents live in decent, safe and well-managed homes.

“Our housing team is working tirelessly to address the issues identified, and while significant progress has been made across key compliance areas, we remain focused on delivering further lasting improvements for our residents.”

The council has now set up a special group of senior officers, councillors and outside advisers to keep watch over the improvement work.

It will look at whether work is being finished on time, whether enough money is available and whether residents are seeing real improvements.

The council was given the lowest possible rating by the Regulator of Social Housing in December after a routine inspection found “very serious failings”.

A report to councillors said there were 289 fire-safety actions still outstanding across the council’s housing stock.

The authority has since said it had checked every one of the actions and ranked them by risk.

It said steps were in place to keep residents safe while work is carried out and added that fire-system testing was now fully up to date.

A spokesperson said: “Based on the information available, we are not aware of any fire safety issues that present an immediate danger to residents.”

The first full plan is due to go before borough councillors in November.

The council said it had already made progress and was working with the housing regulator to improve its rating.

The spokesperson added: “We have already made significant progress in key compliance areas and will continue to demonstrate sustained improvement as we work towards securing a higher regulatory grading.”

✍Original copy by Maya George, Local Democracy Reporter

24/08/2026

Gosport Heritage open days. 👇

Great way to explore Gosport, connect to our community and learn more about our heritage and visit some amazing sites and organisations. Thank you to all the volunteers that help make this happen and show their passion for our town and its history.

24/08/2026

📢🏅Gosport Business Awards : applications open

https://www.gosport.gov.uk/GosportBusinessAwards
The deadline for entries is Friday 25th September

Councillor Kevin Casey for Alverstoke, chair of the council’s economic regeneration and skills board, “Our priority is to create more jobs and opportunities for local people and welcome more investment in our borough's economy. We're particularly pleased that this year's awards spotlight the small businesses at the heart of our local economy - they make up 98% of all businesses in Gosport. This is a wonderful opportunity to highlight their passion, dedication and entrepreneurial spirit.”

The categories are:
* Independent Small business of the Year for:
* Retail, hospitality and consumer-facing
* Personal care, lifestyle and community
* Creative, technical and professional
* Commitment to Supporting Talent in Business
* Business Start-up Business of the Year
* Independent Retail Business of the Year
* Community Contribution Award
* Independent Cultural and Creativity Business of the Year
* Independent Tourism/Hospitality Business of the Year
* Overall Business Award (selected from winners of the above)

GBC is working in partnership with The News, St Vincent College, the Powder Monkey Brewing Group and headline sponsor StandardAero.

Now in their third year since being successfully reintroduced, the council is working in partnership with The News, St Vincent College, the Powder Monkey Brewing Group and headline sponsor StandardAero to stage the Gosport Business Awards 2026.