Decision details

Question 1

Cllr Harrison asked the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Corporate Services and Improvement a question regarding how the£33,000, allocated by Government to New Forest District Council, in respect of Brexit, would be spent and whether it would mitigate the negative aspects of Brexit in the New Forest area.  The Portfolio Holder saw Brexit as an opportunity for change.  Other funding was expected to be available in order to assist with any costs as a result of Brexit.  To date no money had been spent or allocated for specific expenditure in relation to the grant.  The District Council would not be immediately affected by Brexit as it did not have a major port, for example, however, the Council would consult and work with other neighbouring authorities and the Government, in order to address any issues arising from Brexit.

Question 2

Cllr Thierry asked the Portfolio Holder for Housing Services a question regarding the measures the Council was implementing to assist rough-sleepers within the District.  The Portfolio Holder reported that over the last 12 months the Housing Options Team had responded to all reports of rough sleepers, visiting each one in person and encouraged all to engage with the service. Rough sleepers had been accommodated beyond periods of severe weather. A key priority for the Council was to end rough sleeping.  Preventative work with hospitals and prisons, for example, would be carried out. Over the next 12 months it was anticipated that the Council would increase emergency accommodation within its ownership.

Question 3

Cllr David Harrison asked the Portfolio Holder for Community Affairs whether she would acknowledge the important work of "Nightstop" in the New Forest area and to outline how the District Council would support the organisation.  The Portfolio Holder reported that Nightstop in 2017/18 had placed eight people in volunteer accommodation over a total of 48 nights.  This cost £312.50 per night per person.  It was felt that this expenditure was not a good use of the Council’s resources.  The Council needed to make decisions on how best to accommodate the homeless people in the District. An increased number of complex homeless cases were being reported and officers were developing a range of solutions.  The community grants process was transparent and open.  The Council had carefully considered all applications.  It was however, considered that the Council could achieve better value for money helping homeless people by leading on the initiatives set out in the Council’s draft Homeless and Rough Sleeping Strategy.

Question 4

Cllr Thierry asked the Leader and Portfolio Holder for Corporate Affairs a question regarding the quality of the budget and asked whether a mark of 9.5 or 10 out of 10 would be accepted.  The Leader reported that work would continue to provide sound and balanced finances.

Question 5

Cllr David Harrison asked the Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Wellbeing for a breakdown of the £100,000 that the Council intended to spend on exploring a change in the way the Health and Leisure Centres would be run in the future.  The Portfolio Holder reported that it was important to use the right skills and expertise to undertake the procurement process.  It was expected that leisure market expertise and external legal services would cost up to £50,000. A full condition survey of the centres would also be undertaken.  This however, was necessary regardless of any decision on the future of the leisure centres.