Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence received from any Cabinet Members.

The Leader reported that today was the day for the publication of the ‘Case for Change’, the joint work of the 12 Hampshire councils to develop the future of local government across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. This had been a significant piece of work, and she thanked colleagues for the work involved in producing it.

The Case for Change draws not only on evidence about how local government could be organised differently, but also on engagement with residents and partners to ensure that community views were properly reflected.

As a council, it was important to continue to make the case for an outcome that would work for residents, communities, and the unique character of the New Forest. The proposal, Option 1, which had been developed with Test Valley, was outlined in full in the appendix to the main case.

The Council would be considering the Case for Change through the Overview and Scrutiny Panel and Council discussions over the coming weeks. It was important to remember that, while the council has a strong voice in the process, the ultimate decision about whether and how local government reorganisation would go ahead rests with government, not with New Forest District Council.

The focus was on ensuring that residents be represented well and that any proposals taken forward were ones which could be supported.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 6 August 2025 as a correct record.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 6 August 2025 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.

Cllr Heron declared a non-pecuniary interest in agenda item 6 as he had been a practising commoner, his brother was the Official Verderer and that he was a member of the New Forest Association.

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

There was no public participation.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet note the latest budget forecasts of the General Fund, HRA, and Capital.

KEY DECISION:

No

PORTFOLIO:

Finance and Corporate / All

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED/REJECTED:

As set out in the report.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:

None

DISCUSSION:

The Portfolio Holder for Finance and Corporate presented the report highlighting that it was the first financial monitoring report of the financial year.  The purpose of the report was to reflect on the rephasings from the previous year, in particular £896,000 from the General Fund, £1.931 million for the capital programme and £60,000 within the Housing Revenue Account.

Other substantive variations related to the refuge and recycling service, including the Council fully utilising the additional grant from DEFRA of £151,000 to support the rollout of the new service.  An additional £150,000 had been agreed by the Section 151 officer to allow the service to start the planning and immediate commencement of the trial of food caddies behind the gates in areas within the perambulation where there were free roaming animals. 

The Portfolio Holder reported that he fully endorsed the recommendation within the report, including the allocation of additional funding towards the waste service as covered within the report.

The Assistant Director of Finance in addition, highlighted that the pay award had been agreed with an increase of 3.2%.

A non-Cabinet member questioned the ‘behind the gates’ trial and sought to understand why the additional expenditure had not been budgeted and planned for. It was felt by another member that had the audit carried out prior to the introduction of the new service been more comprehensive that the expenditure would have been planned for. 

The Portfolio Holder for Finance and Corporate addressed the points made, highlighting that the council had sufficient reserves on which to draw upon, for what was a major service change and that it was expected that the roll out would be difficult.  It was therefore understandable that it would require change and adaptations to address any issues.  The council was responding as issues arose and the service was adapting to the problems identified.  There were reserves available to afford the changes to the roll out of the waste service.

A non-Cabinet member highlighted that the issues now arising from the roll out of the new service, had been raised in meetings in 2020 and 2021 and that members had received the outcome of the residents survey at a meeting.  The top issues raised within the survey was of the proposed waste service centred around accessibility and issues of livestock in the forest.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance and Corporate noted that the report being considered was about financial monitoring and summarised that there were adequate resources to meet the challenges.

In accordance with Section 100B(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the Leader has agreed to the inclusion of this item on the agenda as a matter of urgency.  The urgency arises from the need for Cabinet to consider the motion referred by Council relating to the roll-out of the Council’s new waste and recycling service, and to make recommendations back to Council in view of the financial implications. The urgency is due to the upcoming phase two roll-out and the need to conclude the matters raised by the motion at the Council’s next ordinary meeting on 15 September 2025.

RESOLVED:

1.     That Cabinet considered the contents of the report, and the summary of the debate at the Extraordinary Council meeting, included at Appendix 4;

2.     That Cabinet noted the change in approach to food waste collection during the pannage period, whereby residents within the perambulation will be asked to keep food caddies behind gates;

3.     That officers would continue to work on a business case to extend the “behind gate” policy beyond pannage, and that an “in principle” agreement to this longer-term policy change is given, with the final decision being subject to a business case;

4.     That the Waste Programme Board will retain oversight of implementation, and will receive a Phase 2 plan and updated risk assessment;

5.     That Cabinet supported further dedicated engagement sessions for ward councillors throughout the phased rollout to support their role within their local communities;

6.     That, in considering the motion referred to Cabinet by Council at Appendix 1, the Cabinet noted that the options appraisal in the report identified that phases two and three should proceed as planned, with the mitigations and improvements noted in the action plan in this report; and

7.     That Cabinet recommend to Council to endorse the Cabinet’s resolutions above, as the correct and proportionate response to the motion.

KEY DECISION:

Report to Cabinet and Council

PORTFOLIO:

Environment and Sustainability

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED/REJECTED:

As set out in the report.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:

Cllr Heron declared a non-pecuniary interest as he had been a practising commoner, his brother was the Official Verderer and that he was a member of the New Forest Association.

DISCUSSION:

The Leader clarified that the item followed the Extraordinary Council meeting held on 28 August 2025.  In accordance with Section 100B(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, she reported she had agreed to the include the item on the agenda as a matter of urgency.  The urgency arose from the need for Cabinet to consider the motion referred by Council relating to the roll-out of the Council’s new waste and recycling service, and to make recommendations back to Council in view of the financial implications. The urgency was due to the upcoming phase two roll-out and the need to conclude the matters raised by the motion at the Council’s next ordinary meeting on 15 September 2025.

The Portfolio Holder for Environment and Sustainability reported he was pleased to present the report with an update on the implementation of the new waste and recycling collection service.  The transition was one of the most significant operational changes in decades.  It was ambitious, complex and essential, not only to meet the statutory obligations of the Environment Act 2021, but also to deliver a sustainable and modern service for local communities.  It was acknowledged that residents had experienced disruption during the phase one roll out.  At the Extraordinary Council meeting he had offered his sincere apologies to residents.  He understood that there was a degree of frustration and that work was being carried out to resolve the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 28.