Welcome to our first new newsletter. We are introducing it because Councillors think that we must look to the future, not just as a Council delivering the services for the public but as a Council that listens to what you want, that consults with you and tries to provide services that you value. We know that it will be impossible to make decisions with which everyone agrees. That is bound to happen if people care for their town. We will listen to your views and make judgements which we think will bring the best benefits for the town as a whole. To do this, we really do need your input. We need you to tell us your views.

Although the Town Council will do everything it can to make the town a better place in which to live and work, it is important to remember that we are not responsible for all services provided by Councils.The chart below shows the main functions undertaken by the Town Council, New Forest District Council and Hampshire County Council. There are also separate statutory bodies responsible for police, fire, ambulance and health and hospital services. There are other agencies providing water, sewerage and postal services. We have no direct responsibility for these but we will always try to act where we find actions or inactivity by any of those bodies are having an effect on residents and businesses.