Issue - meetings

To consider the reports of the Cabinet dated 2 May and 4 July 2018 (to follow).

The recommendations were agreed.

The Leader of the Council, as Chairman of the Cabinet, presented the reports of the meetings held on 2 May and 4 July 2018.  The Leader reported that just over three years ago, it was recognised that the challenges ahead were significant. Financial resources would become more limited and the demand for services was expected to grow. Housing was a particular priority which was recognised for families in the New Forest.

The most recent Cabinet meeting highlighted a sensible and planned approach on the use and management of the Council’s finances.  The Council were asked to approve an increased budget of £4.5 million in order to provide 16 extra affordable homes.  Planning services had been reviewed and measures would be put in place to ensure the service would be able to deal with the additional demands, which had included the approval of an additional £300,000 per annum.

Efforts had been made to work with others to ensure that residents’ money went further, although, as evidenced in the Cabinet reports, it had not always been possible to achieve this.

The new powers on litter enforcement were welcomed in order to protect the New Forest. Success would not be measured by the number of prosecutions but by the efforts made in the community to remove anti-social and potential dangerous behaviour.

Strategies on supporting economic growth and planning the future direction of the Council demonstrated the long term intentions. 

On the motion that the reports be received and recommendations be adopted, it was:

RESOLVED:

That the reports be received and the recommendations be adopted.