It continues to be a great honour and a privilege for me to have been elected in May this year as the chairman of East Hampshire District Council.

I am now halfway through my civic year, and the real joy for me has been to meet the many residents, volunteers and charity groups who do so very much to make East Hampshire such a pleasant place in which to work and live. Equally inspiring for me is to have met the many people who work so tirelessly throughout the year in our schools, businesses, health centres, and care homes to provide a wide range of valuable services and employment to our residents.

Christmas is an incredibly special time of the year for many of us in East Hampshire. We are now able to relax and enjoy time with our family and friends. Importantly we also need to think about those in our communities who, for whatever reason, are less fortunate. Please remember that the Christmas period in particular is a time of giving and sharing so please donate a little extra to the various charities who work so hard for us all throughout the year.

As I have discovered on my many visits as chairman so far, there is an impressive range of very active charities and community groups in East Hampshire who are able to provide support for those who need it. So particularly at this time of the year I want to express my thanks and appreciation to everyone who works so hard in these organisations.

East Hampshire District Council has always been very focussed on helping communities. For anyone who needs support in any way then please do not hesitate to contact us so that we can tell you about the various forms of help that we can provide.

The year in 2025 has witnessed a large number of major conflicts across the world and several of which have continued for many years. I particularly want to recognise and wish a Happy Christmas to the many people from Ukraine who we have welcomed and are now living in East Hampshire.

Please join with me in hoping that 2026 will be a very peaceful New Year in all parts of the world.

Finally, I would like to conclude by wishing all the residents in East Hampshire, my fellow district councillors, and our officers a very happy Christmas and a joyful New Year.

Cllr Graham Hill, Chairman, East Hampshire District Council