Steve Forster – HCC Cabinet Member for Highways and Passenger Transport, Serving Fleet
A long-standing resident living in Fleet West, Steve understands the pressures facing families and local businesses. He has focused on tackling the issues residents raise time and again: making the most of limited government funding including improving road maintenance, improving safety on our streets, protecting school standards and strengthening SEN provision, and supporting our local businesses.
Steve proudly serves Fleet as a Hampshire County Councillor, Hart District Councillor (where Conservatives are in opposition), and Fleet Town Councillor. Following the county elections, he was appointed Executive Member for Highways and Passenger Transport at Hampshire County Council, having previously held the Education portfolio. He works hard to keep residents informed, act on feedback, and deliver practical improvements where they matter most – on our roads, in our schools, and across our community.
What Steve Has Delivered
• Kept residents informed through regular communications, including online updates reaching households across Fleet. Please do follow his pages on FB.
https://facebook.com/SteveForsterHDC
https://facebook.com/NotMrPothole
• Focused on value for money, reducing council costs through efficiency savings, while protecting frontline services.
• Secured significant road repairs and resurfacing, with further schemes scheduled this year.
• Supported local schools to ensure sufficient places and high standards, including new SEN spaces and a new local primary school currently being built.
• Backed evidence-based road safety improvements, using long-term accident data to justify new crossings, with further town centre improvements to follow.
• Worked closely with partners, including the Police and Crime Commissioner and local police, to address anti-social behaviour and crime concerns.
Steve’s Approach
Steve believes local government works best when it focuses on competence, delivery and value for money. He puts local priorities first and is committed to securing Fleet’s fair share of funding - especially at a time when councils face significant financial pressures.
He is clear that local issues deserve local focus, not national or petty local political point-scoring. His approach is straightforward: listen to residents, act on evidence, and get things done. He works collaboratively - where others engage.
What Steve Is Doing and delivering now;
• Continuing to improve the efficiency of council services without compromising delivery.
• Pushing for better roads and reliable, long-term resurfacing programmes, along with increased investment in permanent highway maintenance across Fleet and Elvetham Heath. That includes lobbying for more funding from central government.
• Championing sensible regeneration to attract investment and support Fleet’s town centre businesses.
• Protecting education standards, ensuring sufficient school places, and strengthening SEN support.
• Working with the community and police to keep Fleet safe.
Steve remains accessible, responsive and focused on results – putting Fleet first all year round.
He is visible and active in the community throughout the year, not just at election time, and he always puts local residents and businesses in our community before party politics or national matters.