News Roundup

Hello everybody, as we are nearing Christmas life is getting more hectic. I will keep posting on Facebook and Twitter as I find time but this will be the last News Roundup blog post/email for this year! Let me use this opportunity and wish you all very merry Christmas and also a wonderful 2014!

Council activities

Winchester City Council has announced that there will be no more district-wide distribution of waste collection calendars. Every resident is supposed to receive a brief summary showing the collection day changes for 2013/14 but if they wish, residents can also obtain a full annual waste collection calendar in two ways:

• Online - http://www.winchester.gov.uk/bins
• By phone - ring the local rate number 0300 300 0013 to have a calendar sent out in the post.

Even if it's money saving, I'm not entirely certain this idea serves the voters well: Winchester civic chiefs poised to review elections.

Cabinet approves new car parking strategy for central Winchester: what will happen to the car boot sale?

Sorry to be so negative, but is this another consultation fiasco in the making? Winchester Station Approach report set to spark interest from developers.

Yes, what to build where... Locals strongly oppose proposal of elderly care flats in Chesil Street.

So no conversion of Avalon House into much needed flats: Winchester's largest empty offices set to be re-let after five years

Council changes threatens future of Winchester Area Community Action (WACA). It would be a shame if their services would be destabilised.

Like to save money on your energy bills? Switch Hampshire could find you a better deal.

Aha, M&S want to open another shop but Winchester planners urged to reject M&S food store plans.

Winchester City Council is going to offer a new programme, starting January 2014: "The MEND programme (Mind, Exercise, Nutrition...Do It!) provides families with fun, interactive group sessions that promote healthy lifestyles, and address issues arising from being overweight."

Community

Winchester Nightshelter: "URGENT APPEAL FOR GLOVES - we desperately need warm gloves for our residents. Call 01962 862050 to donate."

Safety

Unbelievable how some people are making their money: Hampshire MP appealing to pensioners to ignore offers from Internet company. The same kind of con exists for the EHIC (European Health Insurance Cards).

Environment

From the marine conservation society: voice your support for the introduction of the 5p plastic bag charge to protect the environment by December 20th!

WinACC and Friends of the Earth collected some information in regards to Fracking: WinACC/FoE Fracking meeting questions and answers.

WinACC "was delighted that demand was so high for our free Green Deal assessments. Sadly, the money has been used up, so unless you are already on our list, an assessment and report from Solent Green Deal costs £150. If you take out a Green Deal loan this charge will be covered by the loan or grant."

Friends of the Earth have "created almost 80 bee-friendly spaces through our Bee Worlds project this year! Smashing our initial target of 60." Can we have something like this here in Abbotts Barton? Ideas and champion needed!

Things to do

Are you familiar with the King Alfred buses? This year's Winchester bus day to be the last on New Year's Day - but don't worry, they want to set up something new.

And the Christmas Market is suffering from its own success: Winchester faces overcrowding problems with success of Christmas market.