£25.9m of investment agreed to improve housing, sports, leisure and waste facilities in Gosport

Gosport is set to see improvements to council homes, waste collections and leisure facilities after a new budget was agreed that protects vital services in the borough.

Gosport Borough Council approved a budget for 2025/26 including a capital budget of £25.9m, made up of £11.2m council capital funds and £14.7m of outside funding.

To ensure the services local residents rely on are maintained, councillors agreed to raise Council Tax by 2.99 per cent, a move that will cost the average Gosport household (band B) 11p per week and combat a continued rise in council costs and an overall reduction in Government funding of £174,000.

Leader Cllr Peter Chegwyn said:

"It is great news for Gosport that we have been able to set a budget for next year with no cuts to public services and investment in key facilities to improve the quality of life for residents.

"We understand the impact council tax increases have on residents but the funding we receive from Government is not sufficient to maintain day-to-day services without raising our share of council tax."

Within the overall £25.9m capital budget approved for 2025/26, it includes money from developers, Levelling Up Funding from the Government and contributions from Housing Rents.

Where the investment will go

£3.3m will be spent on improving the condition of existing council homes for Gosport families.

An additional £630,000 is committed to the wider £1.3m scheme to create Gosport's new food waste service, including new collection vehicles and household food waste caddies.

Up to £1m will go on creating brand new community sports and leisure facilities, including £500,000 towards a new artificial football pitch at Privett Park, and £75,000 for sports facilities in the Lee area. £193,000 will be used to upgrade tennis courts, create new pickleball facilities and new cricket nets at Privett Park; new rugby posts and a new running track at Gosport Park; and new floodlighting for the Bridgemary skateboard park.

There is an extra £1.1m for the coastal defence upgrade at Alverstoke as part of the £4.8m overall project.

An additional £2.6m for the £3.7m project already underway to turn the former bus station into a waterfront 'People's Park', as well as £0.375m towards the £1.4m project to restore the Criterion in Forton Road as a new community cinema, theatre and live entertainment venue.

Council funding will also continue to go to Citizens Advice to provide free legal support and advice for residents.

Cllr Chegwyn said:

"People need good outdoor facilities and easily accessible sports and leisure for their physical health and mental wellbeing. That's why we are committed to investing in these areas and ensuring historic entertainment venues such as the Criterion are brought back into public use."

Released: 28 February 2025