Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence received from Cabinet Members.

The Leader of the Council was sad to announce the death of Bill Hughes, a former District Secretary and Returning Officer for the New Forest, who sadly passed away on 30 August 2019.

Further information concerning funeral arrangements would be reported to the Council at the earliest opportunity.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 7 August 2019 as a correct record.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 7 August 2019, 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.

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

Cllr E Heron declared a non-pecuniary interest in respect of item 4 on the Cabinet agenda – Strategy for Coastal Funding.  The interest concerned his membership on the Southern Regional Flood and Coastal Committee, as Hampshire County Council’s appointed deputy.  He concluded that there were no grounds under common law to prevent him from remaining in the meeting to speak and to vote.

To note any issues raised during the public participation period.

There were no issues raised during the public participation period.

To consider the Council’s strategy for developing Coast Protection Investment Plans.

RESOLVED:

That the Cabinet:-

(a)  Approve the report for “Funding for Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Managements Projects” (Appendix 1 to the report) and this be adopted as the New Forest District Council strategy for developing Coast Protection Investment Plans.

(b)  Approve that the Coastal Team commence work on developing the Investment Plans for the identified projects.

REASONS FOR DECISION:

As set out in the report.

KEY DECISION:

No.

PORTFOLIO:

Environment and Regulatory Services.

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED/REJECTED:

As set out in the report.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST(S):

Cllr E Heron declared a non-pecuniary interest in this item.  The interest concerned his membership on the Southern Regional Flood and Coastal Committee, as Hampshire County Council’s appointed deputy.  He concluded that there were no grounds under common law to prevent him from remaining in the meeting to speak and to vote.

DISCUSSION:

The Portfolio Holder introduced the report and highlighted the importance of securing local Parish and Town Council support in future projects, alongside the support of the wider local community.

Thanks were expressed to the Chairman of the Task and Finish Group, Cllr Carpenter and officers for their work in brining forward their findings to shape the final Cabinet report.

A minor amendment was noted to the Portfolio Holder comments at paragraph 11.1 of the report, replacing “coastal communications” with “coastal communities.”

The Leader of the Council read out a statement from the Chairman of the Task and Finish Group, Cllr Carpenter, in support of the report.

To consider an update on the 2019/20 General Fund, Capital and Housing Revenue Account budgets.

RESOLVED:

That the Cabinet:-

(a)  notes the latest budget forecast of the General Fund (paragraph 4.2 of the report), Capital (paragraph 5.1) and Housing Revenue Account (paragraph 6.1);

(b)  approves the additional budget request at paragraph 6.2 in relation to the Housing Maintenance ICT System, Keystone; and

(c)   recommends to Full Council that the £400k additional budget requirement at paragraph 5.2, be approved.

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):

None.

DISCUSSION:

The Portfolio Holder introduced the report and highlighted that, apart from a slight downturn in income and some rephasing of capital expenditure, the Council was broadly on track for the year.  The Cabinet was particularly pleased to note the proposed further £400k allocation to disabled facilities adaptations, in respect of the Council’s housing stock.

In responses to questions from one Member, the Portfolio Holder reported on the process for Community Grant awards, where the Council held funds for a successful bid until the relevant third party was ready to deliver their project.

To consider the modifications recommended by the Examiner and to recommend to Full Council that the Neighbourhood Development Plan should proceed to a local referendum.

RESOLVED:

That the Cabinet recommend to Full Council that it:-

(a)  notes the recommendations made in the Examiner’s Report (Appendix 2) into the Hythe and Dibden Neighbourhood Development Plan (Appendix 1 shows the plan with the Examiner’s modifications in red);

(b)  endorses and confirms that it is satisfied that the proposed modifications and responses highlighted in the Decision Statement (Appendix 3) that are necessary to meet the basic conditions; and

(c)   agrees to make the necessary arrangements for the Hythe and Dibden Neighbourhood Development Plan to proceed to referendum on 29 October 2019.

REASONS FOR DECISION:

As set out in the report.

KEY DECISION:

No.  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:

The Portfolio Holder introduced the report and commended the Parish Council for all their hard work in bringing forward the first neighbourhood plan within the District to a referendum.

To receive an update on the Council’s preparations for Brexit.

RESOLVED:

That the Cabinet notes:-

(a)  the appointment of the Council’s Chief Executive as the Council’s Brexit Lead Officer;

(b)  the tasks identified by the government for the Brexit Lead Officer to undertake; and

(c)   the Council’s risk considerations and action plan.

REASONS FOR DECISION:

As set out in the report.

KEY DECISION:

No.

PORTFOLIO:

Leader and Corporate Affairs.

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED/REJECTED:

As set out in the report.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST(S):

None.

DISCUSSION:

The Leader of the Council introduced the report and highlighted that the Chief Executive had taken on the role of Brexit Lead Officer.

To receive an update on the Expressions of Interest Phase of the Council’s Health and Leisure Review.

RESOLVED:

That the Cabinet note the contents of the Expressions of Interest document (Appendix 1), which will be formally signed off and released by the Portfolio Holder in line with the procurement timetable.

REASONS FOR DECISION:

As set out in the report.

KEY DECISION:

No.

PORTFOLIO:

Leisure 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 placed on record his thanks to officers for bringing forward an expression of interest document that matched the vision for the future of health and leisure in the New Forest.

In response to one Member’s questions on future pricing, it was confirmed that whilst operators needed flexibility, prices were driven by the market and the Council would retain a clear monitoring role to safeguard residents’ interests.

Other Council Members highlighted the robust, evidence led work of the Task and Finish Group in bringing forward options for future delivery.

To consider the Interim Nitrate Mitigation Solution for the District.

RESOLVED:

That the Cabinet:-

(a)  approves the approach to mitigation as set out in the report;

(b)  notes that the Planning Committee will be advised of the mitigation approach agreed by the Cabinet, as a material planning consideration in their determination of planning applications;

(c)   continues to work through the Partnership for South Hampshire (PfSH), the Local Government Association and Members of Parliament to lobby central government to resolve the contradictory positions held by agencies within DEFRA and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) and to develop a comprehensive, long term, funded mitigation strategy for the Solent area; and

(d)  notes that a further report will come back to Cabinet to seek agreement of a definitive Nitrate Mitigation solution.

REASONS FOR DECISION:

As set out in the report.

KEY DECISION:

No.

PORTFOLIO:

Planning and Infrastructure.

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED/REJECTED:

As set out in the report.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST(S):

None.

DISCUSSION:

The Portfolio Holder introduced the report and highlighted his support for the recommendations as a pragmatic way to ensure the delivery of the required housing development while ensuring legal compliance and the protection of the environment.