We review Portsmouth City Council’s meeting of the Full Council July 15th 2025 - what were the big items on the agenda? Which were controversial ? Where was there harmony? Where was there heated debate? 

In this meeting the council discussed:-

🗳️ an update on the government's Local Government Reorganisation and what that means for Portsmouth. 

🏢 The planning squeeze on Portsmouth as it's forced to allow the building of more and more homes

💨Improving air quality in the city 

🌊 Is the council reacting fast enough to the threat of the climate emergency?

👨‍🦽‍➡️The lack of disability accessible equipment and the city's play parks.

🏘️The unintended consequences of 'lawful development certificates' - and how this could increase HMO developments

🚬Tackling rogue traders selling illegal tobacco & vapes

💩 Southern Water - will massive increases in bills result in massive reductions in sewage pollution in our area?

Empty homes consultation

 PCC devolution milestone

 Planning consultation - Closes 23:59 BST 23/07/25 

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Founder of ‘The Executive Menopause Coach’ - Claire Hattrick joins us to share her menopause journey. 

After years of being severely debilitated by undiagnosed menopause joint pain Claire turned her experience into an inspiring drive to help women 1-2-1 and advise businesses how to support and retain their staff as they experience menopause. 

Menopause Coach website

Instagram & Threads @theexecutivemenopausecoach

X @menopausecoach_

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With air pollution in our congested city contributing to respiratory illness and shortening the life expectancies of residents - we ask local air quality campaigners what improvements have been made, and what more could be done?

We're joined by Viola Langley, Rod Bailey & Tim Sheerman Chase from 'Let Pompey Breathe'. We also have an interview from Cllr Peter Candlish - the cabinet member for Traffic & Transportation on Portsmouth City Council.

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We ask former Lord Mayor of Portsmouth, Cllr Jason Fazackarley about his & Lady Mayoress, Helen Mitchell's highs & lows for their year representing the city of Portsmouth & its residents. 

• Just how do you make a Mayor - there’s a Mayor Making ceremony, but how do you become one? 
• What were the highs and lows for Jason and his Lady Mayoress, Helen Mitchell? 
• If he could change anything about the Lord Mayor’s role, what would it be?
• What advice would Jason give to an incoming Mayor or Mayoress?

All of these and more.

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What are we talking about this week?

We asked our audience to tell of which of the pressing recent political events would they want to see us talk about. A poll is a poll - so we talk over three issues: - Israel (and now America's) bombing of Iran, The government u-turn on a national inquiry into grooming gangs, & The Welfare Reform bill.  

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Portsmouth this year hosts UK Pride, and with Pride itself rapidly approaching, we hear from Tally Aslam, Co-Chair of the Portsmouth Pride Trust. 

All this & more..

• What’s on the itinerary for June 7th? 
• How are Pride navigating the politics?
• Protest, great day out or both?
• Biggest challenges faced by the community?
• How to be a good ally?

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Facebook - Portsmouth Pride

Queer all year - Instagram

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With several countries around the world enacting bans on smartphones in schools, and on social media access for children, we ask -

Is their pervasive use having an detrimental impact on learning, concentration, mental health?  

Should the UK also instigate a ban? 

What’s happening in today’s classrooms, and what might the solutions be?

We’re joined by Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education on Portsmouth City Council, 🟧Cllr Nick Dorrington, 🟥Cllr Mark Coates who happens to be a teacher, and Rachael Speed, also a Teacher.

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This week saw Portsmouth City Council’s Mayor Making ceremony and Annual General Meeting.

We interviewed CLLRS Graham Heaney (Deputy Leader Labour group on PCC) & George Madgwick (Leader of Portsmouth Independents Party on PCC) to hear what happens when two parties can both lay claim to the number two spot on the council.

• How do you decide when the next largest groups on the council are two parties both with 9 Councillors?
• How do you make a Mayor?
• Why did the PIP Councillors chose not to sit with the other council members on stage for the ceremony?

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Solent WASPI talk to us about their campaign for fair treatment and justice. 

 -What do they want the campaign to achieve? 

-What next after the government’s rejection that compensation is owed to women born in the 1950s? 

WASPI web address: 

www.waspi.co.uk 

WASPI Crowdjustice page, which includes the most recent legal updates:

https://www.crowdjustice.com/case/waspijustice/

Their Facebook pages are:

https://www.facebook.com/WaspiCampaign

https://www.facebook.com/SolentWASPI

 on X:

@WASPI_Campaign

@solent_waspi

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We welcome the Isle of Wight’s Councillor Andrew Garratt 🟧 & Meon Valley’s Councillor Malcolm Wallace 🟩 to talk to us about their hopes and fears for devolution and local government reorganisation (LGR).

What could this mean for the voters they represent and the services they depend on?

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