Craig Hedges

Hampshire County Council provides a wide range of services that make a difference to residents'​ lives on a daily basis, including education, transport, planning, social care, libraries, waste management and trading standards. Hampshire is one of the country's leading local authorities, delivering public services to the 1.3 million residents of Hampshire (excluding Portsmouth and Southampton). We are proud to provide these services, some of them rated as being among the best in the country, across this diverse, historic and vibrant county. Our key priorities for promoting economic prosperity and protecting the environment are: -To develop the infrastructure and services required for economic, transport and housing growth, and promote a globally competitive environment for investment in the county. -Provide opportunities for all to develop the skills needed to play a full part in Hampshire's economic success. -To conserve and use natural resources more efficiently, protecting Hampshire's environment and quality of life. Progress: -Hampshire is the fourth most visited county in the UK. -£750 million of County Council capital investment is stimulating the Hampshire economy. -Approximately 60% of the Council's spending is with local small and medium sized businesses. -150,000 streetlights have been replaced, with energy consumption reduced by 21% and savings of £140,000 in carbon tax each year. -Less than 8% of the county's household waste is sent to landfill, the lowest figure for any county council in England.