Shoplifting, funding, and community projects took centre stage at Haslemere’s annual town meeting, where councillors addressed key concerns and celebrated local achievements.

Councillor Oliver Leach opened the meeting, sharing how his role as mayor has deepened his admiration for the town.

“Haslemere remains a place where we can all be proud to call our home,” he said.

A key issue on the agenda was the rise in shoplifting affecting the town. Business owners have previously voiced frustration over feeling unsupported by police, even forming their own WhatsApp group to address the issue. After a tense meeting with Police Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend, Cllr Leach was pleased to announce at the meeting that Haslemere now enjoys a “strengthened partnership with the police,” with PCSO John Savage making regular patrols in the area.

Town Clerk Lisa Sullivan also spoke on the Lion Green toilets. Recent data shows that between 600 to 1,000 people use the facilities weekly, demonstrating that it is a vital community facility despite earlier controversy over delays and its appearance and location. Soft landscaping will begin soon, and the dusk curfew, implemented after a series of vandalism incidents, will be reviewed as the days get longer. The council is working with PCSO Savage to improve CCTV coverage at the site to deter future vandalism.

Lisa was also pleased to announce the council’s distribution of grants over the past year, including significant contributions to the Haslemere Youth Hub and the LINK project. She encouraged other community projects to reach out to the council, as additional funding may be available.

A further £250,000 has been ring-fenced for a new youth hub facility as part of the Fairground development, and to help groups struggling with rising costs, the council has increased its revenue grant allocations for 2025/26 to £74,000.

To help support the £520,000 budget for the upcoming year, the council precept will rise by six per cent – equating to a £3 increase for the average Band D household.

“I hope you find this cost an unacceptable bargain for everything the council provides to the town,” she added.

Howard Brown from the Haslemere South Residents Association raised concerns about the threat to Haslemere’s protected National Landscapes, urging residents to attend an upcoming appeal on April 8 to voice their opposition.

In an exciting announcement, Andrew Culshaw, leader of the LINK project, shared that their £2.5 million fundraising goal had been met, with £100,000 from the town council and £1 million from Waverley Borough Council – both of which are the largest contributions from the respective organisations.

Andrew hopes that next year’s annual town meeting and Volunteer Awards will be held at the new community hub, a much-needed resource for the town.

With strengthened policing, vital funding secured, and ongoing investment in community projects, Haslemere’s future looks bright. As the town continues to tackle challenges and celebrate its achievements, residents are encouraged to stay engaged and play their part in shaping what comes next.