Four core community services in East Hampshire are set to get a cash injection from the council for another year.

The East Hampshire District Council cabinet approved a budget of more than £275,000 to fund services for residents in the community and voluntary sector.

The council approved funds of £275,248.76 for 2025/26 to pay for Citizens Advice East Hampshire (CAEH), Community First East Hampshire, Community Transport provision and Wheels to Work. 

The council officers report said: “Core service grants allow our partner organisations to support our most vulnerable residents, support the voluntary sector organisations and ensure community transport provision in East Hampshire.“

The officer’s report listed details of the organisations to be funded in 2025/26.

Citizens Advice East Hampshire provides independent advice to residents and will receive £186,000 in four quarterly payments of £46,500.

Community First East Hampshire provides support and advice to the voluntary community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector receiving £60,000.

Between April 1, 2024, and December 31, 2025, the service provided general support and advice to 42 separate organisations, including advice on DBS checks, finance and income generation, staffing and volunteers as well as supporting the start-up of 11 new voluntary, community or social enterprise organisations (VCSE), said the officer’s report.

Hampshire County Council’s Community Transport provision will be paid monthly and will receive a total of £25,001.37.

Hampshire County Council’s Wheels to Work programme will receive £4,247.39 for the year. It currently has a fleet of 12 bikes providing a means of transport to enable young people to access work, training or apprenticeship opportunities.

During the decision-making meeting last Thursday (March 13), the members heard how the grants were monitored quarterly to ensure funding was being used properly.

The cabinet voted unanimously to approve the funding budget for 2025/26.