Agenda, decisions and minutes

Cllrs Alvey, Coombes, Mrs Hoare, Mrs Lovelace, Penson, Rippon-Swaine, Russell & White.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 11 July 2016 as a correct record.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 11 July 2016 be signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

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.

No declarations of interest were made by members in connection with an agenda item.

The Chairman had attended a variety of events since the last Council meeting and these had been reported in the latest Information Bulletin.

New Forest Show 2016

The Chairman congratulated officers for their enthusiasm and commitment at this year’s show. The Chairman had the honour and privilege of greeting the Countess of Wessex. The Chairman thanked Cllr Rickman for his commitment and dedication to the show over the last few years.

Commemoration Event

On 23 August 2016, the Chairman had the privilege of representing the Council at the commemoration of the bombing of New Milton.

Merchant Navy Day

On 2 September, the Chairman raised the Merchant Navy Day flag at Appletree Court, Lyndhurst. The Vice-Chairman, Leader of the Council and Chief Executive were also present.

Civic Day

The Civic day would take place on 13 September where other civic heads from Hampshire and Dorset would be shown around a selection of family-owned and run businesses operating within the New Forest District.  This would provide the opportunity to showcase and promote these businesses within the District, and how the Council supported local businesses in general, this being one of the Council’s corporate priorities.

Freedom Ceremony

The Freedom of the District Ceremony would be held on Sunday 25 September, in which the Freedom of the District would be bestowed on the 17 Port and Maritime Regiment, RLC.

Members who had registered their acceptance would be issued with an admissions pack. It was very important that members bring the parking permit and admission cards with on the day, to enable access to Appletree Court.

Big Spin Event

The Chairman had the great pleasure of presenting New Forest Disability Information Service, First Opportunities, Simon Says, and Southampton Hospital Charity with cheques of £4,556 each through monies raised at this year’s Big Spin event held on 22 May 2016. Southampton General Hospital would use the money to purchase essential equipment for their maternity unit and New Forest First Disability Information Service would fund an outreach worker for the forthcoming year. The Chairman thanked all staff, particularly Toby White, Totton Health and Leisure Centre, for organising this event.

Paralympics

The Chairman congratulated Alice Tai and Michael Jones, both swimmers from New Milton, for competing at this year’s Rio Paralympics and wished them luck in their events.

New Forest Show

The Leader echoed the Chairman’s comments about the success of the Hampshire and New Forest Agricultural Show.  The Council’s theme was “Helping Local Business Grow” to showcase the support of the Council for local business which was very well received. The Council had very positive visits from Sophie, the Countess of Wessex and, the board members of Enterprise M3, the Local Enterprise Partnership.

The Countess of Wessex thoroughly enjoyed visiting the stand and had written the Leader a letter personally asking “that her thanks be conveyed to those involved behind the scenes.”

It was opportune that the visit from the Enterprise M3 Board coincided with the Show. This was the Board’s first meeting in the New Forest since it was created in 2011 and the Council used the opportunity to showcase business in the New Forest. The Board took part in an activity which demonstrated surprising facts and figures about business in the area.  The feedback received was extremely positive with Board members commenting that they “enjoyed the time spent and gained valuable insights into the opportunities and issues facing the area”. As a direct result of this work, a meeting had been arranged between the Chief Executives to talk to about how to exploit opportunities for the benefit of local business.

Devolution

There had been a lot of speculation around the future of Devolution in light of the new Government. A formal position statement was still awaited from the Government.

Last week the Chief Executive and the Leader of the Council had attended two sessions with Council staff to explore the current position with regard to devolution and local government reorganisation. This was a great opportunity to discuss this important issue with staff. It was hoped that by October, the position would be clearer once the results of local consultations were known.

To consider the report of the Cabinet dated 3 August 2016.

The recommendations were agreed.

The Leader of the Council, as Chairman of the Cabinet, presented the report of the meeting held on 3 August 2016.

On the motion that the report be received and recommendations adopted, it was:

RESOLVED:

That the report be received and recommendations adopted.

There were none.

There were none.

To ask questions of Portfolio Holders. Members are reminded that questions must be submitted to the Chief Executive or to the Executive Head of Governance and Regulation by not later than noon on Friday 9 September 2016.

Cllr Harrison asked the Environment Portfolio Holder whether she was satisfied that all the necessary plans and resources were in place, in the New Forest district, to prevent and mitigate the serious threat of flood. The Portfolio Holder replied that Hampshire County Council was the lead flood Authority, responsible for the County Wide Local Flood Risk Management Strategy.  The Environment Agency was the lead on flood prevention and is responsible for all main rivers.

The District Council was a category one responder to emergencies and therefore the Council had resources in place to assist residents in the event that these authorities requested assistance.  The Council had the necessary plans and procedures in place to work with partners in the event of an emergency.

Question 1: from Cllr Harrison to Cllr Mrs Beeton, Environment Portfolio Holder

“Is the Portfolio Holder completely satisfied that all the necessary plans and resources are in place, in the New Forest district, to prevent and mitigate the serious threat of flood damage?”

Answer:

The Portfolio Holder replied that Hampshire County Council was the lead flood Authority, responsible for the County Wide Local Flood Risk Management Strategy.  The Environment Agency was the lead on flood prevention and was responsible for all main rivers.

The District Council was a category one responder to emergencies and therefore the Council had resources in place to assist residents in the event that these authorities requested assistance.

There have been various flood mitigation schemes across the District and a good example of this was the work undertaken in Fordingbridge.  

Property owners had their own part to play in preventing flooding in their own and their neighbouring properties by maintaining watercourses and by purchasing readily available air-brick covers and door sealing barriers. In an emergency sandbags could be purchased from builders merchants but these were not as effective as other measures that could be installed in advance.

District Council officers worked as a closely co-ordinated team with other services including the emergency services, to provide a fast effective and efficient level of protection to life and property.  The Council had emergency plans in place and had regular co-ordinated emergency planning training with partners, so those involved were always ready to respond to emergencies at short notice. 

In response to a supplementary question, Cllr Mrs Beeton confirmed that the Milford on Sea beach hut replacement scheme included flood defences.

To consider any changes to the membership of Committees or Panels that might be proposed by the political groups.

No changes to committees or panels were proposed by the political groups.