14 October 2024
NEW FOREST DISTRICT COUNCIL
Minutes of a meeting of the New Forest District Council held on Monday, 14 October 2024.
* Cllr David Hawkins (Chairman)
* Cllr John Sleep (Vice-Chairman)
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Councillors: |
Councillors:
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* Alan Alvey * Peter Armstrong * Geoffrey Blunden * Hilary Brand * Mark Clark * Steve Clarke * Jill Cleary * Kate Crisell * Sean Cullen Jack Davies * Steve Davies * Philip Dowd * Barry Dunning * Jacqui England * Allan Glass * David Harrison * Matthew Hartmann * John Haywood * Jeremy Heron * Nigel Linford * Patrick Mballa * Colm McCarthy * David Millar
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Neil Millington * Ian Murray Stephanie Osborne * Alan O'Sullivan * Adam Parker * Dave Penny * Neville Penman * Dan Poole * Caroline Rackham * Alvin Reid * Joe Reilly * Janet Richards * Barry Rickman * Steve Rippon-Swaine * Michael Thierry * Derek Tipp * Neil Tungate * Alex Wade * Malcolm Wade * Christine Ward * Phil Woods * Richard Young
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*Present
Officers Attending:
Kate Ryan, Tanya Coulter, Alan Bethune, James Carpenter, Richard Knott, Chris Noble, Daniel Reynafarje and Matt Wisdom.
Apologies
Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs J Davies, Millington and Osborne.
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Minutes |
RESOLVED:
That the minutes of the meeting held on 16 September 2024, be confirmed.
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Declarations of Interests |
There were no declarations of any disclosable pecuniary interests by Members.
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Chairman's Announcements |
The Chairman reported on the following engagements:-
18 September
Represented the District at the Christchurch Civic Day, hosted by the Mayor of Christchurch. This included a tour of the Red House Museum and Gardens and the Regent Centre, together with a tour of Christchurch Priory.
25 September
Attended a Special Meeting of New Milton Town Council, where the Honorary Freedom of the Town was conferred upon the founder of the world famous Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum, Samual Hamilton Miller MBE.
2 October
His Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester attended SPUD Works in Sway. The Chairman highlighted the fantastic work of SPUD – an arts and education charity that creates opportunities for people to engage with art, architecture, design and the environment.
5 October
The Chairman expressed his thanks to the Vice-Chairman who attended a Charity Variety Show featuring performances from local artists, hosted by the Mayor of Basingstoke and Deane, raising funds for the Mayor’s Charity Appeal.
6 October
Attended the Harvest Thanksgiving Festival service at Winchester Cathedral.
13 October
Attended the High Sheriff’s Law Sunday Service at Winchester Cathedral.
Meeting with NFDC Staff
Alongside the Leader and Chief Executive, the Chairman thoroughly enjoyed attending staff recognition and meet and greet events recently, welcoming new staff to the Council and recognising those that have made suggestions and obtained new qualifications.
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Leader's Announcements |
Solent Freeport
The Leader reported briefly on the work of the Solent Freeport, which continued. The Freeport was in support of a number of key ambitions; for attracting private infrastructure investment to the area, enhancing skills opportunities, and pursuing net zero ambitions.
Exxon Mobil
The specific concerns that Members had raised around the recent consultation being undertaken by Exxon Mobil on carbon capture and storage pipelines across the Solent, were acknowledged. It was noted that Exxon Mobil had now indicated that the initiative was no longer being taken forward at this time. The Leader had asked officers to work closely with Exxon Mobil to understand their future plans, and had invited representatives to attend a Waterside Steering Group meeting in support of this.
Waste Programme
As Chair of the Programme Board, the Leader reported on the significant work taking place across the programme towards the implementation of the Council’s new Waste Strategy. Detailed implementation plans were coming together, including in respect of the new Hardley Depot. This would all support the first phase of new service delivery from Spring 2025, as referenced in the Cabinet papers. Staff consultation had commenced across the Council’s depots to engage operational staff. Reflecting on the Council’s plans in this area, the Leader considered that this service change across the District was the most significant in her time as a councillor. She requested all Members’ support to the officers in planning and delivering the Council’s agreed service changes, which would meet new Government requirements, modernise services and help increase recycling rates.
Transformation
The Leader reported on meeting new members of the Transformation Team, and also wider new starters who spoke positively on their experience thus far as new employees. With the staff survey results expected shortly, she continued to strive towards the Council becoming an employer of choice.
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Report of Cabinet - 2 October 2024 |
PART I – ITEMS RESOLVED BY CABINET
Item 1 – Waste Programme Update
One Member questioned the Council’s approach for waste collection under the new service arrangements if residents declined to use wheeled bins. A further Member asked if the Council would be encouraging residents to take any excess waste to the local Household Recycling Centre, particularly in the context of any increase in side waste resulting from service changes.
The Portfolio Holder for Environment and Sustainability responded to the points raised. He highlighted that the Council’s decision on the Waste Strategy and collection policy in respect of wheeled bins would be moving forward as agreed. The communications strategy was highlighted which would seek to address queries and concerns ahead of the service change and roll out of wheeled bins.
PART II – RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL
Item 7 – Medium Term Financial Plan Scene Setting
Cllr Heron introduced the item and moved the recommendations from the Cabinet meeting. Cllr S Davies seconded the motion.
Cllr M Wade moved an amendment to recommendation 4, to freeze car parking charges in line with their current levels. Cllr Clark seconded the amendment.
Members speaking in support of the amendment highlighted the cost of living crisis being faced by residents, with local examples of towns and villages struggling to attract people into their centres. A Member spoke of the nature of the district not having a single destination, instead having a collection of unique towns and villages spread across the New Forest. Some Members spoke of the impact specifically on businesses and their viability on the high street.
Members speaking against the amendment suggested that it was unfair to ask residents who could not afford to run a car, to subsidise the cost of car parking charges across the district, through council tax. The value of a district parking clock was recognised, which allowed users to park at multiple locations across the New Forest for the cost of the single clock. Feedback suggested that this remained excellent value, inclusive of the proposed increase for 2025.
In responding to the debate on the amendment, Cllr Wade highlighted that the cost of running car parks did not dictate that prices would need to rise at the proposed rate. He suggested that the lowest paid in the district included shop workers, including for local charities, many of whom relied on a car and local car parks to get to their place of work. He encouraged Members to support the amendment.
In responding to the debate on the amendment, Cllr Heron cited the significant financial pressures faced by the Council. He highlighted that many of the issues raised by Members through the debate were part of wider changes to shopping habits, including the rise of online shopping. He pointed to the benchmarking undertaken and that the district’s fees and charges in this area remained very good value for money.
Voting for:- Cllrs Brand, Clark, Cullen, Dowd, England, Harrison, Haywood, Mballa, McCarthy, Millar, Parker, Rackham, Richards, A Wade, M Wade and Woods.
Voting against:- Cllrs Alvey, Armstrong, Blunden, Clarke, Cleary, Crisell, S Davies, Dunning, Glass, Hartmann, Hawkins, Heron, Linford, Murray, O’Sullivan, Penman, Penny, Poole, Reid, Reilly, Rickman, Rippon-Swaine, Sleep, Thierry, Tipp, Tungate, Ward and Young.
Abstaining:- None.
The amendment was lost, 16 in favour, 28 against, 0 abstaining.
Cllr Armstrong moved an amendment to recommendation 4, to increase car parking charges by inflation only, rounded to the nearest single digit. Cllr Reilly seconded the amendment.
Members speaking in support of the amendment suggested that this would lessen the burden on local motorists. Some Members who had spoken in support of Cllr M Wade’s amendment highlighted that although not to the extent of freezing car parking charges, this offered some support.
Members speaking against the amendment highlighted that the proposed increases were broadly in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI), rounded up. One Member highlighted that the change to the first hour charge had not been raised since 2018.
In responding to the amendment, Cllr Armstrong highlighted that he felt the impression had been given last year that the proposal for car parking charges from the administration would not exceed inflation.
In responding to the amendment, Cllr Heron reiterated that a balanced and sound budget was vital, and he remained comfortable with the Cabinet’s proposals.
A request for a discretionary recorded vote was supported by the required additional 11 Members. The amendment was therefore put to a recorded vote, the outcome of which was as follows:-
Voting for:- Cllrs Armstrong, Brand, Clark, Cullen, England, Harrison, Haywood, Linford, Mballa, McCarthy, Millar, Parker, Rackham, Reilly, Richards, A Wade, M Wade and Woods.
Voting against:- Cllrs Alvey, Blunden, Clarke, Cleary, Crisell, S Davies, Dowd, Dunning, Glass, Hartmann, Hawkins, Heron, Murray, O’Sullivan, Penman, Penny, Poole, Reid, Rickman, Rippon-Swaine, Sleep, Thierry, Tipp, Tungate, Ward and Young.
Abstaining:- None.
The amendment was lost, 18 in favour, 26 against, 0 abstaining.
The Council then voted on the substantive motion of the Cabinet recommendations, which was carried.
RESOLVED:
1. That the revised MTFP forecasts, as outlined within the report and appendices be adopted;
2. That the options identified to close the budget gap for 2025/26 and through to 2028/29 are developed further;
3. That the reporting timeline as set out in paragraph 74 be agreed;
4. That the proposed car parking fees and charges from 1 January 2025 as referenced in paragraph 48 and detailed in appendix 5 be approved;
5. That the proposed Keyhaven river fees and charges from 1 January 2025, as amended by Cabinet, and as detailed in a revised Appendix 6 for consideration by Full Council, are approved; and
6. That the decision to enter into an agreement with other Hampshire authorities regarding the pooling of business rates is delegated to the S151 officer in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance & Corporate.
Item 8 – Updates to Contract Standing Orders
Cllr Heron introduced the item and moved the recommendations from the Cabinet meeting. He endorsed the support for local businesses as part of the Council’s tendering process. Cllr S Davies seconded the motion.
RESOLVED:
That Council approves the Contract Standing Orders as set out in Appendices 1 and 2.
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Questions |
Questions were put and answered under Standing Order 22, as follows:-
· From Cllr Haywood, to the Leader of the Council, Cllr Cleary, on Pension Credit.
· From Cllr Clark to the Leader of the Council, Cllr Cleary, on Solent Freeport.
· From J Davies to the Leader of the Council, Cllr Cleary, on Lymington Town Hall.
· From Cllr Millar to the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Sustainability, Cllr Blunden, on car parking.
· From Cllr M Wade to the Portfolio Holder for Finance and Corporate, Cllr Heron, on income from interest.
· From Cllr Rackham to the Portfolio Holder for Planning and Economy, Cllr Tipp, on the proposed Exxon pipeline.
· From Cllr A Wade to the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Sustainability, Cllr Blunden, on car parking.
· From Cllr McCarthy to the Portfolio Holder for Planning and Economy, Cllr Tipp, on planning enforcement.
· From Cllr Cullen to the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Sustainability, Cllr Blunden, on the Waste Strategy.
· From Cllr Haywood to the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Sustainability, Cllr Blunden, on fly tipping.
Note – a copy of the full questions and replies are attached to these minutes.
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Membership of Committees and Panels |
There were no changes.
CHAIRMAN