Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from Cllr Russell.

The Leader offered his congratulations to Her Majesty the Queen ahead of the Platinum Jubilee Bank Holiday weekend.  He reported on the various Council initiatives taking place.

Tree Planting

To support the Green Canopy initiative, the Council had identified 30 suitable sites to plant 60 trees during the Jubilee year.  The first of these trees were planted in the grounds of Appletree Court by the Chairman, Vice-Chairman and immediate past Chairman, at what was a very successful marking of the start of the Council’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.  The remaining trees will be planted from Autumn 2022 onwards.

Councillor Community Engagement Grants

Councillors had been working closely with communities across the District to allocate grant funding to support a variety of Platinum Jubilee related events and initiatives.  To date, over £10,000 had been awarded.  Examples included tree planting initiatives, artwork projects, street parties, public events, Platinum Jubilee Beacons and commemorative items for local school children.

Tea Parties in Extra Care Blocks

Housing Estates would be facilitating Jubilee parties in each of the Council’s Extra Care buildings, each attended by Council Officers, who would be decorating each of the buildings with Jubilee bunting and banners to highlight this occasion and create a celebratory atmosphere.

New Employment Land

The Council is likely to commemorate the Platinum Jubilee by naming its new business development at Crow Lane Ringwood the ‘Platinum Jubilee Business Park’, for which marketing and branding work had now commenced.

Emergency Temporary Accommodation

The Housing Service had recently opened two brand new temporary accommodation buildings in New Milton and Ringwood respectively.  In total, they provided 13 units of accommodation for ex-homeless clients to begin to rebuild their lives toward settled accommodation, with the help of the Council’s dedicated support team.  In a fitting tribute to Her Majesty, the Council had renamed these buildings in honour of her Platinum Jubilee, with the building in New Milton renamed Jubilee House and the building in Ringwood renamed Platinum House.

The Leader concluded by wishing Town and Parish Councils, community groups and members of the public every success with the events taking place throughout the Bank Holiday weekend.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 4 May 2022 as a correct record.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 4 May 2022, be confirmed and signed.

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.

There were no declarations of any disclosable pecuniary interests made by Cabinet Members.

Cllr Andrews, for transparency purposes, declared her membership of the New Forest National Park Authority, a partner to the New Forest National Park Partnership Plan 2022-27, considered at minute 7 below.

To note any issues raised during the public participation period.

There were no issues raised during the public participation period.

RESOLVED:

1.     That the Cabinet approve a 3-year contract variation to the Main Lease at Dibden Golf Centre, commencing on 1st April 2022 as follows:-

a.     To revise the rent to £100,000.00 per annum with effect from 1st April 2022.

b.     To introduce a break clause, as part of the contract variation, allowing either party to exit the partnership by providing 12 months written notice.

c.      To implement a surplus share arrangement which provides the council with the first £30,000.00 per annum of any surplus generated during the contract variation period. Thereafter, any further surplus generated would be split between parties on a 50/50 basis.

2.     That authorisation is given to the S151 Officer to finalise the necessary documentation to give effect to the above.

REASONS FOR DECISION:

As set out in the report.

KEY DECISION:

Yes.

PORTFOLIO:

Partnering and Wellbeing.

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED/REJECTED:

As set out in the report.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST(S):

None.

DISCUSSION:

The Portfolio Holder introduced the report and endorsed what he considered a fair outcome for both the Council and the provider.  The ongoing monitoring work by the Member Working Group was highlighted.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance highlighted the importance of maximising Council revenue, in the wider context of a fair and equitable agreement that would secure the future of the Golf Course.

RESOLVED:

1.     That the Cabinet agree that:-

a.     the “Air Quality Assessments in New Development” be adopted as a Supplementary Planning Document (SPD).

b.     prior to publication, the final editing of the document (attached in Appendix 1 to the report) be agreed by the Executive Head for Planning, Regeneration and Economy in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning, Regeneration and Infrastructure.

REASONS FOR DECISION:

As set out in the report.

KEY DECISION:

Yes.

PORTFOLIO:

Planning, Regeneration and Infrastructure / Partnering and Wellbeing

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED/REJECTED:

As set out in the report.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST(S):

None.

DISCUSSION:

The Portfolio Holder introduced the report and highlighted the importance of delivering substantial health benefits across the District within the planning framework, by ensuring that development did not adversely impact on air quality.  The Portfolio Holder for Partnering and Wellbeing endorsed the recommendations as a significant step in working with partners to improve air quality.

In response to concerns raised on the data underpinning the Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) and air quality generally, it was highlighted that the SPD was one tool to tackle air quality issues within the confines of development management and the planning system.  The Council’s wider response and priorities for air quality reached beyond this remit and it was suggested that an update be considered at a future Environment and Sustainability Overview and Scrutiny Panel.

The Leader, whilst acknowledging the challenges of achieving good air quality, highlighted that there were some examples of excellent air quality in the New Forest, with good practice driving improvements cumulatively across the District.

RESOLVED:

That the Cabinet endorse the New Forest National Park Partnership Plan.

REASONS FOR DECISION:

As set out in the report.

KEY DECISION:

No.

PORTFOLIO:

Planning, Regeneration and Infrastructure / Partnering and Wellbeing.

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED/REJECTED:

As set out in the report.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST(S):

Cllr Andrews, for transparency purposes, declared her membership of the New Forest National Park Authority, a partner to the New Forest National Park Partnership Plan 2022-27.

DISCUSSION:

The Portfolio Holder introduced the report and highlighted the importance of a live programme of work to ensure a richer and greener protected landscape in what was a special area as the National Park.

Other Members of the Council welcomed the report.

New Forest District Council can appoint up to a maximum of three directors on the New Forest Enterprise Centre.

The Council’s appointed elected Member representative is as follows:-

·         Cllr J Heron – Portfolio Holder for Finance, Investment and Corporate Services

The Council’s appointed officer representative as follows:-

·         Andrew Smith – Service Manager, Estates and Valuation

RECOMMENDED:

That the following additional Member be appointed as a director of the New Forest Enterprise Centre, taking the Council’s maximum allocation of three directors:-

·         Cllr Harris – Portfolio Holder for Business, Tourism and High Streets

The Leader placed on record his thanks to Honorary Alderman Colin Wise for his many years of service to the New Forest Enterprise Centre.  Following his retirement as a director, the Council sought to appoint a new representative.

RESOLVED:

That the following additional Member be appointed as a director of the New Forest Enterprise Centre, taking the Council’s maximum allocation of three directors:-

·        Cllr Harris – Portfolio Holder for Business, Tourism and High Streets