Council – 13 October 2025

Questions Under Standing Order 22

First Questions

Question 1

From Cllr Stephanie Osborne to the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Sustainability, Cllr Geoffrey Blunden

What can be done to prevent NFDC refuse vehicles and other HGVs using Main Road, Dibden to access the A326 at Dibden Roundabout?

Question 2

From Cllr Jack Davies to the Portfolio Holder for Housing and Homelessness, Cllr Steve Davies

I’m really pleased to see the Better Futures programme. It’s really important we invest in supporting young people to develop skills they need to get on in life. However, It’s not just skills. Housing is the number one priority for young people. Can the Portfolio Holder tell me what the Council are doing to get more housing for younger people across the New Forest?

Question 3

From Cllr Malcolm Wade to the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Sustainability, Cllr Geoffrey Blunden

The residents of the Waterside are in an uproar over the failure of this council to deliver the black bin bags and recycling sacks. This is now months behind schedule. Why has the communication on this issue to local members, and more importantly the Public, on why this has happened, and when they will be finally delivered, been so poor? As this has made the situation much worse.

Question 4

From Cllr Philip Dowd to the Leader of the Council, Cllr Jill Cleary

The Council recently backed option 1 unanimously for a Mid Hampshire Unitary that keeps the New Forest whole. What are the detailed financial, service-delivery, governance risks and contingency plans if central government rejects or modifies this proposal?

Question 5

From Cllr Mark Clark to the Portfolio Holder for Planning and Economy

The Fawley Waterside “Venice of Britain” scheme was recently dropped due to viability concerns. What lessons has the Council learnt from that process, and how will it ensure future large developments are financially robust, environmentally sustainable, and aligned with local character?

Question 6

From Cllr Phil Woods to the Portfolio Holder for Planning and Economy, Cllr Derek Tipp

High streets in the West of the New Forest are struggling, with established shops closing in Lyndhurst and many empty units in Fordingbridge. Residents suggest cheaper parking, cleaner street scenes, more frequent weeding and regular litter picking – and in many cases residents are doing these tasks on a voluntary basis. Can In ask what the Portfolio Holder what NFDC has done and will do next to help our vital high streets to survive?

Question 7

From Cllr Alex Wade to the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Sustainability, Cllr Geoffrey Blunden

Please can you advise the estimated cost of one-hour free parking in NFDC car parks not on sea fronts and in proximity to a high street, for the period from November 1^st to February 28^th?

Question 8

From Cllr Sean Cullen to the Leader of the Council, Cllr Jill Cleary

Can I ask you as Leader of NFDC write to NJORD Partners, the organisation who have recently taken over Red Funnel, and therefore ownership of Hythe Ferry, and ask them for clarity on their plans for Hythe Ferry, and urge them to expedite any works on the pontoon to get this valued and strategically important mode of transport back up and running?

Question 9

From Cllr Caroline Rackham to the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Sustainability, Cllr Geoffrey Blunden

The majority of our population lives along the Waterside, yet there is still no overarching flood plan or coastal plan for the Waterside. When can we expect one?