Latest news with #AlexWinning
BBC News
17-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Former Southampton City Council post room worker becomes leader
A former council post room worker has been formally elected as the authority's Alex Winning did postal work at Southampton City Council at the age of 16, before working in the council's HR and adult services teams, according to his LinkedIn takes over an authority which has been allowed exceptional support by the government to prevent financial Winning is the authority's third leader in two years after Satvir Kaur became an MP and Lorna Fielker resigned to run for regional mayor. The father of one, who was previously the council's cabinet member for children and learning, said he wanted the authority to be "brilliant at the basics".He said he understood residents' "strong feelings" about missed waste collections and the recently-ended car ban in Portswood Road. He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "People in Southampton, all they want is basic services delivered. We have to be doing that."We're fully aware that things haven't been good enough for some time in waste, and we're as frustrated as residents with that."He endorsed the decision to scrap the Portswood Road bus gate trial after it caused increased traffic in neighbouring leader said: "At the end of the day, it didn't work in the way that we wanted it to and we needed to be quite honest about that."There are residents that are sad to see it go. Obviously, there was a lot that were very happy to see it go. It won't be coming back."Mr Winning, who was born and raised in Southampton, said he "never in a million years" thought he would be the council's leader and would "take the role incredibly seriously". Additional reporting by Marcus White, BBC News, Southampton You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X, or Instagram.
Yahoo
13-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Youth centre reopens after four week refurbishment
A youth centre has reopened following a four-week refurbishment. The Lordshill Youth Project, first established in 1999 as a collaboration between the local church, police, and Sainsbury's supermarket, reopened on February 10. The project aims to provide a safe, enjoyable space for young people, with qualified youth workers offering guidance and support. Over the years, the project has helped thousands of young people build positive relationships, raise aspirations, and gain access to education, employment, or life skills. The centre was also a source of support during the Covid-19 pandemic, offering counselling services. The project, which operates from the Zoe Braithwaite Centre in Lordshill, provides club-based sessions in partnership with Youth Options. These sessions include a variety of activities, from crafts to sports, and even holiday clubs where young people learn to prepare and eat healthy food. In the 2023-24 financial year alone, the project ran more than 1,100 sessions, offering a safe space for more than 200 young people. Richard Poulter, managing director for Willmott Dixon Construction South said: "This project is about more than just refurbishing a building; it's about creating opportunities for young people and strengthening the community. "Seeing our teams and supply chain partners come together to make a real difference is incredibly inspiring. Their generosity, combined with the dedication of our own people, ensures that we leave a lasting, positive impact on the lives of those who rely on this space." Councillor Alex Winning, cabinet member for children and learning said: "We are incredibly grateful to Willmott Dixon and all of their sub-contractors for their expertise and support in helping to update the space so it can continue for the next 26 years." The recent refurbishment was made possible by Willmott Dixon, a UK-based construction company. After attending a Solent Careers Hub school-based activity, the company learned about the Lordshill project and decided to help. Willmott Dixon mobilised its Southampton-based subcontractors to volunteer to refit the facility, providing new electrics, toilets, and a fitted kitchen to current safety standards. They also repaired walls, cleaned gutters, and redecorated the centre, all funded by their Social Impact Fund.
BBC News
29-01-2025
- BBC News
Suspected hare coursing in Hertfordshire captured by drones
Police have released drone footage which appears to show several people participating in hare coursing and damaging were called to Mill Lane in Therfield, near Royston in Hertfordshire, on Saturday to reports of several people in vehicles trespassing on private Alex Winning said it was believed the vehicles set off from Cambridgeshire and were used to break through gates."There was significant damage to arable land caused by 4x4 vehicles and hare coursing offences committed contrary to the Hunting Act of 2004," he said. Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
