Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Cllr S Davies.

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.

The Monitoring Officer confirmed that a dispensation that had been granted to all members of the Cabinet. It was explained that all members of Cabinet had a dispensation to take part and vote in item 4, notwithstanding their interests in the matter arising from their receiving a member allowance and the item potentially affecting that position as it related to the reorganisation of local councils including NFDC.

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

There was no public participation.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

(a)   Approved the joint submission to Government of the Interim Local Government Reorganisation Plan for Hampshire and the Solent, at Appendix 1;

(b)   Agreed to delegate authority to the Leader of the Council to approve the final interim submission on behalf of the Council, in the event that minor amendments are agreed by the 15 councils;

(c)   Considered the key points of importance in the development of a final proposal that reflects the unique geography, history, economy and communities of the New Forest;

(d)   Agreed to set in place a programme of engagement with town and parish councils to explore local service delivery and potential transfer of assets, and to bring back to Cabinet a policy for community asset transfer; and

(e)   Delegated authority to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader, to access and spend funds from the Council’s Devolution and LGR reserve.

KEY DECISION:

No

PORTFOLIO:

Leader

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED/REJECTED:

As set out in the report.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:

The Monitoring Officer confirmed that a dispensation that had been granted to all members of the Cabinet. It was explained that all members of Cabinet had dispensation to take part and vote in item 4, notwithstanding their interests in the matter arising from their receiving a member allowance and the item potentially affecting that position as it related to the reorganisation of local councils including NFDC.

DISCUSSION:

The Leader explained that following the Special Council meeting on the 20 March 2025, it was the Council’s view that recommendation 2c of the report should be amended as follows:

“Cabinet considers key points of importance in the development of a final proposal that reflects the unique geography, history, economy and communities of the New Forest.”

The Leader introduced the Devolution Update and Local Government Reorganisation Interim Plan report.

The report outlined that the Council had been instructed by Government to work with other councils on devolution and Local Government Reorganisation (LGR). The Leader explained that this was not the Council’s priority and that the Council did not consider LGR the right thing for the New Forest.

The Leader had been working as instructed with Leaders across the area and a draft of guiding principles had been submitted. It was confirmed that there was no consensus at this stage on options going forward and some councils were in favour of reorganisation for very large councils or for completely new makeups, which was not the view of NFDC.

Cabinet heard that it was the Council’s belief that the best model of reorganisation for the New Forest was a rural-focused unitary authority, bringing together the New Forest area with Mid-Hampshire. This model of Council would be financially sustainable and would respect the heritage, support the economy and protect the unique environment of the New Forest.

The Leader stated that the debate heard at the Special Council meeting on 20 March 2025 was filled with heartfelt contributions and reiterated that NFDC would continue to prioritise the residents of the New  ...  view the full minutes text for item 67.