At a council meeting last week, opposition East Hampshire District Council (EHDC) Liberal Democrats voted in favour of the administration’s budget.

Liberal Democrat group leader, Elaine Woodard, said after the meeting: “It is unusual for us as an opposition group to vote to support a budget, but we did tonight because several of the suggestions we made to the administration during the budgeting-setting process have been incorporated into the budget.

“As a result of our intervention there will be an additional £100k for the recruitment of two more enforcement officers to patrol our car parks and combat littering in the District.

“Twenty-five thousand pounds will be made available to promote a ’shop local’ campaign supporting local business, and more funding will be made available to train councillors so they can develop their skills in representing the interests of their residents

“We welcome the increase from £3,500 to £7,000 in councillors’ discretionary community grants. This will make a big difference to the wonderful organisations doing such good work in our wards. We had another suggestion that weren’t adopted in the budget but recognise that the Conservative-led administration has gone some way to seeking and accepting our contribution to the final budget.

“The proof of the pudding is always in the eating, and we will be watching carefully to ensure that the budget doesn’t go off track.”

A Liberal Democrat amendment to proposed council tax charges for empty property premiums and second homes from 2026 wasn’t so successful.

Cllr John Smart, seconded by Cllr Emily Young, put forward the amendment that in addition to the 100 per cent premium on empty homes, a 50 per cent premium should be charged on second homes.

Cllr Smart pointed out that other billing authorities in Hampshire such as Fareham, Gosport and New Forest will be introducing a 100 per cent premium on second homes in 2025 and that the Conservative leader of Hampshire County Council had written to all Hampshire district and borough councils asking for them to do the same, but EHDC council voted to buck the trend.

“I’m disappointed that even a modest 50 per cent premium on second homes was rejected by members,” Cllr Smart added.

“We all know the pressure there is in the district on housing, particularly in the National Park, and had hoped that by increasing council tax on second homes, it might release more homes for local people.”

Cllr Young, who also spoke in the debate, commented: “The administration rejected our amendment claiming that there was no evidence to suggest that increasing the premium would release more homes for our residents but were unable to produce any evidence that it wouldn’t. In the absence of any proof, why not trial the increase to find out what effect it has?”