Agenda, decisions and minutes

None were received.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 6 February 2019 as a correct record.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 6 February 2019 be signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

To note any declarations of interest made by members in connection with an agenda item.  The nature of the interest must also be specified.

Members are asked to discuss any possible interests with Democratic Services prior to the meeting.

Cllr E J Heron – Minute 81

To note any issues raised during the public participation period.

No issues were raised in the public participation period.

To receive a presentation on the recently published National Waste Strategy consultation arrangements and themes for the consultation.  The Cabinet is asked to agree the methodology to respond as the implications for this Council could be significant.  It is suggested that the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Regulatory Services appoints a Task and Finish Group for this purpose.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That a task and finish group be appointed to advise the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Regulatory Affairs on the response to be submitted to the Government;

(b)       That the Council work with the partner organisations in Project Integra to inform and develop the Council’s response; and

(c)       That the Project Integra funded model for analysing the proposals be also used to inform the Council’s response.

Cllr E J Heron disclosed an interest as a member of Hampshire County Council which was also involved in the waste collection process.

The Cabinet received a presentation on the recently published National Waste Strategy consultation arrangements and themes for the consultation.  The National Waste Strategy could, potentially, have significant implications for this District both directly and through Project Integra, which was the partnership for handling waste in Hampshire.  There were 4 consultation strands, each supported by a separate document.  The 4 consultation topics were:

·      Consistency in household and business recycling

·      Reforming packing responsibility in the UK

·      Deposit Return Scheme

·      Plastic Packaging Tax

The consultation on each of these documents closed at the end of May, with potential implementation dates up to 2023. 

It was noted that the first 3 of these documents potentially could have significant implications for this District, while the fourth may have some indirect effects, although it was mainly directed towards manufacturers.  Members considered that it was essential that this Council’s views were taken into account in the developing proposals.  This area had additional requirements and constraints imposed by the special nature of the National Park and these must be properly taken into account.

Members considered that the developing proposals had the potential to achieve significant environmental benefits and welcomed the opportunity that this presented.

The Cabinet considered how to develop the Council’s response to the proposals. 

RESOLVED:

(a)       That a task and finish group be appointed to advise the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Regulatory Services on the response to be submitted to the Government;

(b)       That the Council work with the partner organisations in Project Integra to inform and develop the Council’s response; and

(c)       That the Project Integra funded model for analysing the proposals be also used to inform the Council’s response.

To be advised that the Secretary of State has approved this Council’s Final Plan for addressing air quality around Totton.

RESOLVED:

(a)     That the approval of the Air Quality Final Plan for New Forest District Council be noted; and.

(b)     That the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Regulatory Service continue to work on improving air quality throughout the New Forest District and to take opportunities to work with neighbouring authorities.

Members recalled that on 18 December 2018 (minute 65 refers) they had agreed the Council’s Air Quality Final Plan for submission to Government.  The Air Quality Plan set out how compliance with the EU Ambient Air Quality Directive for nitrogen dioxide, as an annual mean, would be delivered for the New Forest District in the shortest possible time.  This was part of the wider work for the Air Quality Management Zone for the City of Southampton.

Following extensive research and modelling, in collaboration with Southampton City  Council, it had been concluded that this District would comply with the required air quality standards by 2020, but that no measures could be identified that would bring compliance forward in time.  As a consequence, the Council’s recommendation to the Government had been that there should be a “business as usual” approach in this District.  Confirmation had now been received from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Dr Theresa Coffey, that the Council’s Plan had been approved.  Members were pleased to note that this was the first Final Plan to be approved nationally and also that the close and productive relationship between this Council and Southampton City Council had been specifically recognised.

Members were advised that work would continue, throughout the District, to improve air quality and also that monitoring along the A35 and around Totton would continue to ensure that the expected air quality improvements were achieved.  Members welcomed the commitment to develop an air quality strategy to ensure the best possible standards for residents across the District.

RESOLVED:

(a)     That the approval of the Air Quality Final Plan for New Forest District Council be noted; and.

(b)     That the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Regulatory Services continue to work on improving air quality throughout the New Forest District and to take opportunities to work with neighbouring authorities.

To update the Council’s Scheme of Delegation of Powers to Officers in respect of powers that are the responsibility of the Cabinet.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the Scheme of Delegation of Power to Officers, that were the responsibility of the Cabinet, be updated as show in Appendix 1 to Report item 6 to the Cabinet;

(b)       That delegation ENV 1 be updated to include authorisation to Service Managers;

(c)       That delegation ENV 28 be updated to delete the Cemeteries and Amenities Manager and replace them with the Cemeteries Officer; and

(d)       That authorisation be given to update job titles to take account of recent changes in the Planning Service.

The Cabinet considered revisions to the Scheme of Delegation of Powers that were the responsibility of the Cabinet, as set out in Appendix 1 to the report, together with some additional changes that were reported orally at the meeting.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the Scheme of Delegation of Power to Officers, that were the responsibility of the Cabinet, be updated as shown in Appendix 1 to Report item 6 to the Cabinet;

(b)       That delegation ENV 1 be updated to include authorisation to Service Managers;

(c)       That delegation ENV 28 be updated to delete the Cemeteries and Amenities Manager and replace them with the Cemeteries Officer; and

(d)       That authorisation be given to update job titles to take account of recent changes in the Planning Service.