NEW FOREST DISTRICT COUNCIL

CABINET FORWARD PLAN

This Forward Plan lists matters on which decisions are likely to be considered by, or on behalf of the Council’s Cabinet for a 12 month period.  The Forward Plan also lists major decisions which fall within the definition of a “key decision” as outlined below:-

 

A key decision is one that is likely either:-

a)         to result in the Council incurring expenditure which is, or the making of savings which are, significant having regard to the Council’s budget for the service or function to which the decision relates; or

b)         to be significant in terms of its effects on communities living or working in an area comprising two or more wards in the Council’s area. 

For the purposes of (a) above, “significant” is defined by the Council as being a financial decision which requires a Cabinet decision in accordance with the Council’s Financial Regulations.

 

The Cabinet consists of six Councillors and they are responsible for the following Portfolios:-

Councillor Jill Cleary – Leader of the Council

Councillor Steve Davies – Deputy Leader and Housing and Homelessness

Councillor Geoffrey Blunden – Environment and Sustainability

Councillor Jeremy Heron – Finance and Corporate

Councillor Dan Poole – Community, Safety and Wellbeing

Councillor Derek Tipp – Planning and Economy

 

Representations:

Anyone wishing to make representations about any matter included in this Forward Plan should contact the relevant report author seven working days before the first date shown for its consideration by the Cabinet.

 

Copies of Reports:

Anyone wishing to view or obtain a copy of any public report on any of the matters included in this Forward Plan should access the Council’s website.

Copies of reports and any relevant background documents can also be obtained by contacting the relevant report author named in this document.  A reasonable charge may be made for hard copies of documents.

CABINET FORWARD PLAN - 1 February 2026 TO 31 January 2027

 

Report Title

Proposed Decisions

Type of Decision

When is the decision being made?

Who are the key people/groups to be consulted before the decision is made and how will the consultation take place?

Report Author and Contact Details

Is the report likely to be considered in private?

Inside the Council

Outside the Council

<PI1>

Draft New Forest Creative and Cultural Framework

 

To approve the draft New Forest Creative and Cultural Framework for public consultation

 Non-Key Decision

 Cabinet - 4 Feb 2026

 

Executive Management Team, relevant Portfolio Holder, Housing and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Panel

None

 

Joanne McClay, Service Manager - Environment and Regulation joanne.mcclay@nfdc.gov.uk

Open

 

</PI1>

<PI2>

Local Plan - Spatial Options and Policy (Regulation 18) Direction consultation

 

To consider the Local Plan – Spatial Options and Policy direction for public consultation

 Non-Key Decision

 Cabinet - 4 Feb 2026

 

Executive Management Team, relevant Portfolio Holder, Local Plan Member Working Group

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dean Brunton, Planning Policy Infrastructure and Delivery Service Manager dean.brunton@nfdc.gov.uk

Open

 

</PI2>

<PI3>

Community Grants

 

To consider the Community Grants for inclusion in the 2026/27 budget.

Key Decision

Cabinet - 4 Feb 2026

 

Community Grants Task and Finish Group, Executive Management Team, Housing and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Panel and Portfolio Holder - Community, Safety and Wellbeing

None

 

Ryan Stevens, Service Manager - Revenues, Benefits and Customer Services ryan.stevens@nfdc.gov.uk

Open

 

</PI3>

<PI4>

Corporate Plan: Key Performance Data for quarter 2 2025-2026

 

To consider the performance data against KPIS identified in the Corporate Plan for Quarter 2 (2025/26).

 Non-Key Decision

Cabinet - 4 Feb 2026

 

Executive Management Team, all Portfolio Holders and Overview and Scrutiny Panels

None

 

Saqib Yasin, Performance & Insight Manager saqib.yasin@nfdc.gov.uk

Open

 

</PI4>

<PI5>

Corporate Peer Challenge Update

 

To consider the follow up report from the Corporate Peer Challenge visit and proposed actions.

 Non-Key Decision

 Cabinet - 4 Feb 2026

 

Executive Management Team, relevant Portfolio Holder, Resources and Transformation Overview and Scrutiny Panel

 

 

 

None

 

Rebecca Drummond, Assistant Director Transformation rebecca.drummond@nfdc.gov.uk

Open

 

</PI5>

<PI6>

Financial  Monitoring (based  on performance  April to December 2025 inclusive)

 

To provide an update on the 2025/26 General Fund, Capital Programme and Housing Revenue Account

Key Decision

Cabinet - 4 Feb 2026

 

Executive Management Team and relevant Portfolio
Holder

None

 

Paul Whittles, Assistant Director - Finance paul.whittles@nfdc.gov.uk

Open

 

</PI6>

<PI7>

Asset Maintenance  & Replacement  Programme and  General Fund  Capital Programme 2026/27

 

To consider the schedule of projects for inclusion in the 2026/27 budget

Key Decision

Cabinet - 4 Feb 2026

 

Executive Management Team, relevant Portfolio Holder
and Resources and Transformation Overview and Scrutiny Panel

None

 

Paul Whittles, Assistant Director - Finance paul.whittles@nfdc.gov.uk

Open

 

</PI7>

<PI8>

Capital Strategy  2026/27

 

To consider the Capital Strategy 2026/27

 Non-Key Decision

Cabinet  - 4 Feb 2026

 

Council - 23 Feb 2026

 

Executive Management Team, Resources and Transformation Overview and Scrutiny Panel, relevant Portfolio Holder

None

 

Paul Whittles, Assistant Director - Finance paul.whittles@nfdc.gov.uk

Open

 

</PI8>

<PI9>

Members' Allowances - Scheme to apply from 1 April 2026

 

To recommend to Council the annual scheme of members'
allowances

 Non-Key Decision

Cabinet  - 4 Feb 2026

 

Council - 23 Feb 2026

 

Executive Management Team

 

 

 

 

None

 

Karen Wardle, Principal Democratic Services Officer karen.wardle@nfdc.gov.uk

Open

 

</PI9>

<PI10>

Housing Revenue Account budget and the housing sector capital expenditure programme for 2026/27

 

To consider the Housing Revenue Account budget and the housing sector capital expenditure programme for 2026/27

 Non-Key Decision

Cabinet  - 18 Feb 2026

 

Council - 23 Feb 2026

 

Executive Management Team, relevant Portfolio Holder and the Housing and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Panel

None

 

Paul Whittles, Assistant Director - Finance paul.whittles@nfdc.gov.uk

Open

 

</PI10>

<PI11>

Medium Term  Financial Plan and Budget

 

To consider the Medium Term Financial Plan and setting of the 2026/27 budget

 Non-Key Decision

Cabinet  - 18 Feb 2026

 

Council - 23 Feb 2026

 

Executive Management Team and relevant Portfolio
Holder

None

 

Paul Whittles, Assistant Director - Finance paul.whittles@nfdc.gov.uk

Open

 

</PI11>

<PI12>

Anti-Social Behaviour Strategy

 

To approve the Anti-Social Behaviour Strategy following public consultation

Key Decision

Cabinet - 4 Mar 2026

 

Executive Management Team
Relevant Portfolio Holder
Housing and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Panel

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chris Pike, Housing Anti-Social Behaviour Manager chris.pike@nfdc.gov.uk

Open

 

</PI12>

<PI13>

Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2026-2031

 

To approve the draft Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2026-2031

Key Decision

 Cabinet - 4 Mar 2026

 

Executive Management Team
Relevant Portfolio Holder
Housing and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Panel

Tenant Involved Group, Youth and Families Matter, The Crossings, Social Services, Care Leavers Team, Housing Associations.

 

Chris Pope, Housing Options Rents Support and Private Sector Housing Service Manager chris.pope@nfdc.gov.uk

Open

 

</PI13>

<PI14>

Housing Allocations Policy

 

To approve the proposed revisions to the Housing Allocations Policy

Key Decision

 Cabinet - 4 Mar 2026

 

Executive Management Team, relevant Portfolio Holder, Housing and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Panel

Tenant Involvement Group, SNG Housing Association

 

Chris Pope, Housing Options Rents Support and Private Sector Housing Service Manager chris.pope@nfdc.gov.uk

Open

 

</PI14>

<PI15>

Principal Risk Register Review

 

To consider and adopt the Principal Risk Register.

 Non-Key Decision

Cabinet  - 4 Mar 2026

 

Council - 13 Apr 2026

 

Executive Management Team, Relevant Portfolio Holder,
Audit Committee

None

 

Paul Whittles, Assistant Director - Finance paul.whittles@nfdc.gov.uk, Karen Webber, Insurance and Risk Officer karen.webber@nfdc.gov.uk

Open

 

</PI15>

<PI16>

Housing Landlord Strategy

 

To consider the Housing Landlord Strategy following public consultation.

 Non-Key Decision

Cabinet  - 4 Mar 2026

 

Council - 13 Apr 2026

 

Executive Management Team, relevant Portfolio Holders, Housing and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Panel

 

 

Paul Thomas, Assistant Director - Housing & Communities paul.thomas@nfdc.gov.uk

Open

 

</PI16>

<PI17>

Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) extension review and summary of public consultation

 

To consider an extension to the Public Space Protection Order following a public consultation exercise

Key Decision

 Cabinet - 1 Apr 2026

 

Executive Management Team, relevant Portfolio Holder, Housing and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Panel

None

 

Brian Byrne, Service Manager - Community Safety and Support brian.byrne@nfdc.gov.uk

Open

 

</PI17>

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