Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies were received from Cllr G Blunden.

The Leader explained that the Chief Executive also sent her apologies, therefore the Chief Operations Officer/Deputy Chief Executive attended the meeting in her place.

There were none.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 4 March 2026 as a correct record.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 4 March 2026 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.

To receive any public participation in accordance with the Council’s public participation scheme.

There was no public participation.

RESOLVED:

That:

1.              Cabinet approve the Q3 2025-2026 dashboard.

2.              Cabinet consider any matters arising from the Overview and Scrutiny Panels.

KEY DECISION:

No.

PORTFOLIO:

Leader

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED/REJECTED:

As set out in the report.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:

None

DISCUSSION:

The Leader introduced the item and explained that the Key Performance Indicators were an important tool to support the delivery of the Council’s Corporate Plan commitments.

The report was considered in depth at the three Scrutiny Panels. The Leader explained that it was important that the Council continued to keep their performance across all areas under review.

The Performance and Insight Manager explained that the report contained highlights from the key measures. He reiterated that the report and the KPIs had been presented to all three Scrutiny Panels, which prompted engaging and constructive discussion.

A non-Cabinet member asked whether, in the context of the Government’s decision on Local Government Reorganisation (LGR), the KPIs would be impacted or reviewed, given that some of the Council’s corporate priorities would come under pressure. The Leader stated that the Council would continue to review its KPIs and the Performance and Insight Manager explained that the current Corporate Plan was due to run until 2028 and therefore the Council would maintain its corporate priorities to this timeframe.

RESOLVED:  

That Cabinet:  

1. Noted the results of the public and key stakeholder consultation on the proposed extension of:  

• New Forest Public Spaces Protection Order 2023 (No.1) (‘PSPO No 1’) relating to the lighting of fires and BBQs on the open forest; and  

• New Forest Public Spaces Protection Order 2023 (No.2) (‘PSPO No 2’) relating to the feeding and petting of forest animals.  

2. Agreed that PSPO No 1 and PSPO No 2 should be extended in their current form from 1 July 2026 until 30 June 2029;  

3. Agreed to make the following orders extending PSPO No 1 and PSPO No 2:  

• New Forest Public Spaces Protection Order 2023 (No.1) Extension Order 2026 (Appendix 4)  

• New Forest Public Spaces Protection Order 2023 (No.2) Extension Order 2026 (Appendix 5)  

4. Authorised the affixing of the Common Seal of the Council to: -  

• New Forest Public Spaces Protection Order 2023 (No.1) Extension Order 2026  

• New Forest Public Spaces Protection Order 2023 (No.2) Extension Order 2026  

And authorise the Service Manager for Community Safety & Support to sign the Orders.  

5. Authorised the publishing of the extension of PSPO No 1 and PSPO No 2 on the Council’s website and giving public notice of their extension and effect in accordance with the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 (Publication of Public Spaces Protection Orders) Regulations 2014;  

6. Authorised the Service Manager for Community Safety & Support to finalise all necessary arrangements with Partners, for enforcement, training and signage; and  

7. Authorised the postholders employed by Partners set out at Appendix 3 to be ‘authorised persons’ for the purposes of section 68 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 in respect of the Public Spaces Protection Orders (defined in the PSPOs as Authorised Officers), the subject of the report. 

KEY DECISION: 

Yes. 

PORTFOLIO:  

Community, Safety and Wellbeing. 

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED/REJECTED:  

As set out in the report.  

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:  

None. 

DISCUSSION: 

The Portfolio Holder for Community, Safety and Wellbeing introduced the item and explained that it was a straightforward decision, which had received full support at the Housing and Communities Overview and Scrutiny. He commented that it was an order that the Council had within its power to use, which would see the protection and enhancement of the forest. 

The Service Manager – Community Safety & Support explained that, following the findings of the key stakeholders and Town & Parish Council consultation undertaken between 28 November 2025 to 19 December 2025 and the responses from the public consultation undertaken 14 July 2025 to 10 August 2025, 98% were in favour of extending the orders. 

A non-Cabinet member expressed his support for the extension of the orders and stated that it was sensible and the right thing to do. As the New Forest welcomed lots of tourists each year, he commented that the information on the orders should be communicated widely and, if possible, for the information to be provided to tourists prior to their visit. 

The Service Manager – Community Safety & Support responded by clarifying that the Council and partner agencies,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 96.

RESOLVED:

1.     That Cabinet considered the Principal Risk Register updates and;

2.     Recommends adoption by Council.

KEY DECISION:

No.

PORTFOLIO:

Leader / All.

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED/REJECTED:

As set out in the report.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:

None

DISCUSSION:

The Leader introduced the item and explained that the Principal Risk Register had come back to Cabinet for its regular review and with the proposed recommendation to Council for its adoption.

The Leader stated that the report had been considered by the Executive Management Team and the Audit Committee prior to it coming to Cabinet. It would then go before Council next week for their consideration. The Leader explained that the Principal Risk Register was an ever-evolving document that can’t always account for the latest news or position but was a correct snapshot of a point in time. Giving specific mention to the risk referenced PR9, the Leader explained that this was prepared prior to Government’s decision on LGR. The Leader remained content that the Principal Risk Register was reflective of the Council’s position in recognising the scale and complexity of what is involved in the LGR process.

The Insurance and Risk Officer informed Cabinet that the report summarised the key changes for this latest iteration of the Principal Risk Register. She highlighted the removal of two risks, the addition of two risks and the removal of a further, stand-alone risk relating to challenges on recruitment and retention. This particular risk would be integrated into the overall Local Government Reorganisation risk (PR9) as the risk directly relates to the uncertainty of LGR and devolution. The Insurance and Risk Officer explained that there were some changes in various risk ratings, all of which were the lowering of risks and therefore posed no concern.

A non-Cabinet member suggested that there be further detail on the mitigation measures in place for each risk. The Insurance and Risk Officer accepted this as a fair challenge and would consider whether there could potentially be a separation of the overviews and mitigation section of the register.