Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence received from Cabinet Members.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 4 March 2020 as a correct record.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 4 March 2020, be confirmed and signed.

To note any declarations of interests 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 Heron declared a non-pecuniary interest in respect of item 5 on the agenda, at minute 81 below. The interest concerned his membership of Hampshire County Council. He concluded that there were no grounds under common law to prevent him from remaining in the meeting to speak and vote.

To note any issues raised during the public participation period.

The Chairman confirmed that Mr Bruce Tindall, Chairman of Pennington and Lymington Lanes Society had registered to speak in respect of item 7 on the agenda – Local Plan.  Mr Tindall had chosen to submit a statement which would be read out to the meeting shortly before item 7 commenced, at minute 83 below.  A copy of the statement is attached to these minutes as Appendix B for reference.

Portfolio Holders will give a presentation on the Council’s response to the Coronavirus – COVID-19 pandemic.

Portfolio Holders gave a presentation on the Council’s response to the Coronavirus – COVID-19 pandemic. The slides from the presentation are attached to these minutes as Appendix A for reference.

The Council had been working closely to national government guidelines and delivering on government priorities, (which aligned well with the Council’s own corporate objectives) in supporting:

·         the most vulnerable in our community

·         local business and our economy

·         delivery of essential local public services

The Council had responded in many different ways, examples of which included such measures as:

·         A Shielding Hub had been established to protect residents, supporting the most vulnerable in our community with food packages, prescription collections and social contact. The New Forest Hub was receiving the largest number of referrals in Hampshire.

·         Accommodation for Rough Sleepers and continuation of essential housing maintenance

·         Business financial support – passing on over £40 million of financial support to over 3,000 businesses. NFDC was in the top 20% of over 300 local authorities in managing this support.

·         Council Taxpayer Hardship Fund of £886,000 available and being targeted at those in greatest need.

·         Keeping essential services running and identifying critical staff. Thanks to investment in ICT over recent times, the Council’s 400 office staff were able to work from home. 

·         Refuse and recycling and 4-weekly glass collections were continuing on schedule.

·         Public Toilets had been closed for the safety of New Forest residents.

·         All Health & Leisure Centres closed to the public and payments suspended. All Instructor staff, majority of operational staff and additional management staff had been furloughed. Dibden Golf Course was also closed.

·         Business continuity plans for lockdown had been prepared for Planning and Building Control.

·         Parking fees had been suspended to assist those helping the vulnerable. Town car parks open but coastal car parks closed to encourage social distancing.

It was noted that many Health and Leisure staff had been furloughed or redeployed.  Some staff had been redeployed to support essential activity such as the Council’s Local Response Centre for the most clinically vulnerable residents in the New Forest.

An impact assessment would be carried out in the following areas to support the development of recovery plan, via the establishment of four new Task and Finish Groups:

•       Community (including volunteers and charities)

•       Local business and economy

•       Service delivery

•       Council finances and resources

It was unlikely that there would be a clear separation between the response and recovery stages i.e. the Council will still be responding to COVID-19 when it is also implementing its recovery plan.

The Leader of the Council responded to a question concerning financial reductions and non-essential services. He said that the administration would adhere to its promises, and emphasised that each portfolio holder had set out details of the investment of human and financial resources where needed to address the emergency. The Council’s prudent financial approach had ensured that the Authority was in as good a position as any to meet the ongoing and future challenges.  As many councillors as possible would  ...  view the full minutes text for item 80.

RESOLVED:

1.         That the Cabinet note the financial implications as set out throughout the report.

2.         That the Cabinet recommend to Council that:-

(a)  The budget for 2020/21 be updated to take into account the emergency funding received and the new expenditure pressures and income losses being sustained by the Council; and

(b)  The Medium Term Financial Plan be updated to reflect the challenges to its delivery that have arisen as a result of COVID-19.

REASONS FOR DECISION:

As set out in the report.

KEY DECISION:

Report to Cabinet and Full Council.

PORTFOLIO:

Finance, Investment and Corporate Services.

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED/REJECTED:

As set out in the report.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST(S):

Cllr E Heron declared a non-pecuniary interest in respect of this item. The interest concerned his membership of Hampshire County Council, which had involvement with some aspects of NFDC’s financial arrangements. He concluded that there were no grounds under common law to prevent him from remaining in the meeting to speak and vote.

DISCUSSION:

The Council’s 2020/21 budget and forward looking Medium Term Financial Plan agreed earlier this year had both been significantly impacted by COVID-19.

Since publication of the report, the Council had received notice of its allocation of the second tranche of Government funding (£1.6bn), which totalled £1.783m. With the Council losing approximately £1m in income per month and incurring additional expenditure pressures in response to COVID-19, the support funding and the general budget reserve of £3m would be fully utilised by the end of August 2020.

The Council will continue to set out its position to central government and is supporting calls for further funding to be released to the sector.

The Council would also be reviewing and prioritising options for maintaining essential statutory services. There were still many unknown factors, including the future timescale of the lockdown measures as well as further government funding.

RESOLVED:

That the introduction and implementation of a Shared Ownership Scheme based on the Shared Ownership Policy at Appendix 1, be approved.

REASONS FOR DECISION:

As set out in the report.

KEY DECISION:

Yes.

PORTFOLIO:

Housing Services

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED/REJECTED:

As set out in the report.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST(S):

None.

DISCUSSION:

The Portfolio Holder introduced the report and highlighted that, whilst there would always be a great demand for social rented properties, there were many households within the District who were renting in the private sector but who would never be able to buy a home of their own due to high house prices in the area.

Under the proposed Shared Ownership Scheme, households would be able to acquire a share in a property, anywhere between 25% to 75%.  The scheme then promoted the opportunity, when affordable, for households to increase their share up to 100%.

The Portfolio Holder responded to a question on the timing of the introduction of the scheme and felt that there was no advantage to delaying its implementation as there was a need to help people onto the property ladder now.

RESOLVED:

That the Cabinet recommends to Council that:

a.         The Local Plan 2016-2036 Part One: Planning Strategy, as attached in      Appendix One, be adopted as part of the Development Plan for the area.

b.         The Local Plan Policies Map be updated to include the changes set out in             Appendix Two.

c.         Authority is delegated to the Chief Planning Officer in consultation with the            Portfolio Holder for Planning and Infrastructure, to make any final editing           changes considered appropriate to the document prior to final publication.

REASONS FOR DECISION:

As set out in the report.

KEY DECISION:

Report to Cabinet and Full Council.

PORTFOLIO:

Planning and Infrastructure.

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED/REJECTED:

As set out in the report.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST(S):

None.

DISCUSSION:

A statement by Mr Bruce Tindall, Chairman of Pennington and Lymington Lanes Society (PALLS) was read out concerning the Local Plan. The Pennington and Lymington Lanes Society, a local community group with 700 members who were committed to protect and enhance the special character of the lanes to the south of Pennington and Lymington. Mr Tindall expressed concerns over the consultation and process, in particular in relation to site SS6 and claimed that their objections had been ignored.  A copy of the statement is attached to these minutes as Appendix B for reference.

The Chief Planning Officer responded that these points had been addressed at  the Local Plan Examination hearing on 3 June 2019, by the Council’s appointed QC, and had been fully debated, but the representations made by PALLS in respect of this site had not been accepted by the Inspector. The Chief Planning Officer was in contact with PALLS concerning the access arrangements but this would need to be dealt with as part of the detailed planning applications.

The Portfolio Holder introduced the report and paid tribute to all staff involved in the preparation of the Local Plan in what was a very challenging local area, and was very pleased with the outcome. 

The Portfolio Holder proposed a minor amendment to Recommendation c, to the effect that the Chief Planning Officer consult with him as necessary on final amendments to the Local Plan document before publication, which was accepted.

CHAIRMAN