Cabinet – 5 November 2025
Appointments to Outside Bodies
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Purpose |
For Decision |
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Classification |
Public |
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Executive Summary |
Whilst the Cabinet, in accordance with the Council’s Standing Orders, makes appointments to all Outside Bodies for the full term of office, the Environment Act 1995 makes specific provision for appointments to the New Forest National Park Authority (NFNPA) to be terminated for the purposes of ensuring the political balance rules in Section 15 to 17 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 are met. Political balance rules do apply to the Council’s appointments to the NFNPA and there is a duty to take into account the political groups’ wishes when making appointments where political balance rules apply.
Following the resignation of Cllr Barry Dunning from the Conservative Group, the Cabinet is asked to take into account the wishes of the Conservative Group with regard to their two seats on the NFNPA, for the purposes of maintaining political balance rules. |
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Recommendation |
That the appointments to the New Forest National Park Authority, be agreed as follows for the remainder of the four year term ending in May 2027: Conservative (2): Barry Rickman and Derek Tipp Liberal Democrats (1): Caroline Rackham Independent (1): Joe Reilly |
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Reasons for recommendation |
To comply with the Environment Act 1995 and provisions of Section 15-17 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, relating to the political balance rules. |
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Ward(s) |
All wards within the New Forest National Park Authority boundary |
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Portfolio Holder(s) |
Councillor Jill Cleary, Leader |
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Strategic Director(s) |
Kate Ryan, Chief Executive |
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Officer Contact |
Karen Wardle |
Introduction and background
1. The Cabinet is asked to make appointments to the New Forest National Park Authority for the remainder of the four year period ending May 2027.
2. Appointments to Outside Bodies were last made by the Cabinet on 7 August 2024.
3. This report deals solely with the New Forest National Park Authority (NFNPA), to which the Council appoints four Members. Whilst the Cabinet, in accordance with the Council’s Standing Orders, makes appointments to all Outside Bodies for the full term of office, the Environment Act 1995 makes specific provision for appointments to the NFNPA to be terminated for the purposes of ensuring the political balance rules in Section 15 to 17 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 are met. Political balance rules do apply to the Council’s appointments to the NFNPA and there is a duty to take into account the political groups’ wishes when making appointments where political balance rules apply.
4. The Cabinet is asked to take into account the wishes of the Conservative Group with regard to their two seats on the NFNPA, for the purposes of maintaining political balance rules, giving effect to the Group’s new nomination, Cllr Barry Rickman.
5.
The Council’s
agreed criteria for representation on oOutside bodies, states
that:-
(a) there will be a clear benefit to the Council and/or the inhabitants of the District through formal representation on that organisation; or
(b) the Council has made or is continuing to make a significant financial contribution towards the establishment or operating costs of the organisation and that appointing a representative will help ensure good governance.
6. The criteria for making appointments also suggests that where feasible, appointments to Outside Bodies should be made by office rather than by name. In the case of the New Forest National Park Authority and where political balance rules apply, this is not strictly applicable.
7. In making appointments, the Cabinet should also give careful consideration to selecting the most appropriate representative, taking into account the nature of the appointment and other issues such as local representation and the relevant experience and expertise of the appointee.
8. The current Outside Body Appointments can be viewed in full on the Council’s website at the following link:
Outside bodies Council Services
Reporting back by representatives
9. As part of the Council’s monitoring of representation on outside bodies, all appointed representatives are requested to provide a brief written report as and when appropriate.
10. The appointed members, on the National Park Authority, will be able to influence the Place priority 1 - Shaping our place now and for future generations.
Options appraisal
11. The recommendation within this report, fulfils the Conservative groups wishes and the political balance rules. No other option is proposed.
Consultation undertaken
12. The report is prompted by the need to have regard to the wishes of the Conservative group, in connection with the resignation of Cllr Barry Dunning from the group, who is a current Conservative group nominee to the NFNPA.
Financial and resource implications
13. There are none arising directly from this report.
Legal implications
14. The recommendation within this report, is in line in the Council’s Standing Orders, the Environment Act 1995 and the Local Government and Housing Act 1989. There are no other legal implications.
Risk assessment
15. A formal risk assessment has not been undertaken for this procedural report
Environmental / Climate and nature implications
16. There are none arising directly from this report.
Equalities implications
17. The Cabinet, as with all Outside Body appointments, is requested to have regard to appropriate and inclusive representation in making these appointments.
Crime and disorder implications
18. There are none arising directly from this report.
Data protection / Information governance / ICT implications
19. There are none arising directly from this report.
New Forest National Park implications
20. New Forest District Council representation on the NFNPA, ensures that the district council can play a formal role in furthering the purpose of the National Park.
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Appendices: |
Background Papers: |
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None |
Environment Act 1995 Local Government and Housing Act 1989 |