Hello – I hope you’re all coping with the heat and have nice things to look forward to over summer!

• Our school sports equality rally was a great success and we already hope to have one school on board with the change, and talks with more to follow.
• WE’ve had a really important win on licensing policy: the Council committee that deals with alcohol licensing has agreed to a policy wording change that we believe will help protect people from sexual harassment in pubs, clubs and so on. This change is due to come before full Council shortly and we'll keep you updated!
• We’ve just learned that our Eastrop Park parking charge campaign (in collaboration with the Basingstoke and Deane Independents) has been somewhat successful in getting those charges reduced. We believe the parks should be free to use: there are too many people struggling with the cost of living that need a place to have fun with kids and exercise, and parking charges will hurt the most vulnerable people in our communities. We will see if there is more to be done on this and keep a sharp eye out for similar charges being rolled out in parks throughout the town.
• I’m still canvassing door-to-door, and have been concentrating for the time being on the area of Woodbury Road near Heritage Park and Lapin Lane, as WE Basingstoke will be formulating a response to the planning application for the new 5G mast in that area, and I want to truly understand residents' views so that I might represent them accurately. If you have anything to add to our response I want to let me know how you feel about this, please do get in touch.
• Finally, last weekend we managed to march for urgent environmental action, volunteer at the Hatch Warren summer fare, and represent residents at the Beggarwood surgery chat with Maria Miller and Operose all in one day, and were more than ready for shade and soothing drinks by the end of it! I am now part of the Patient Participation Group for Beggarwood surgery so if you have issues or questions about the service there, please do get in touch and I will make sure that they are heard.

I’m offering a series of dates throughout the school holidays for 'Park, Picnic and Politics' sessions. These are an opportunity for HWB residents to book a time convenient for them to meet me in one of our lovely local parks and talk about their local issues, ask me any questions and chew over local politics together. Those of you I've met will know I have a passion for civic engagement and truly representing residents, so here's an opportunity to let me know your thoughts and wants in the (fingers crossed) nice weather! I am setting aside the following dates and you can contact me to book a time in a park convenient for you – why not let your friends and neighbours know and let’s make a fun couple of hours of it?

Tuesday 26th July

Friday 29th July

Sunday 31st July

Monday 1st August

Thursday 4th August

Wednesday 10th August

Tuesday 23rd August

Thursday 25th August

Lastly, our next Branch meeting is on Sunday 7th August at 10am at the Red Lion Hotel in town and we will be holding a talk on disability awareness. Intersectionality is a vital part of our branch and our meetings are open to anyone interested; if you’d like to know more about this please get in touch.

As always, I'm here to listen, learn and represent you. If you want to get in touch just reply to this or contact @wepbasingstoke on social media. Do please tell your friends about this newsletter so we can hear from more people and better serve the ward. Stay safe in the heat, with best wishes for a relaxing and fun summer!

Stacy Hart