Agenda, decisions and minutes

Cllrs Mrs Beeton, Ms Bellows, Harrison, Mrs Jackman, Mrs Lane, Mrs Lovelace, Russell, Miss Sevier, Thierry, Tungate, Wade and Wise.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 12 September 2016 as a correct record.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 12 September 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 in connection with an agenda item.

Civic Day – 13 September 2016

The Chairman had hosted the annual Civic Day on 13 September 2016.  His guests visited Hoburne Bashley, Double H Nurseries in New Milton, the Cliff House Hotel at Barton-on-Sea and the Sammy Miller Museum in New Milton. The theme of the day was to promote the family-run businesses in the District and to demonstrate how the Council supported them.

Freedom of the District Ceremony – 25 September 2016

The Chairman thanked all those Members and officers who had attended the event on 25 September at which the Freedom of the District had been granted to the 17 Port and Maritime Regiment. The Chairman had written to the Council officers involved with the organisation to thank them for the thoroughness of their planning, as well as their partnership working with the military. It had been a first class ceremony of which the Council should be proud. 

Hampshire Village of the Year

The Chairman congratulated the village of Lyndhurst on the award of the Hampshire Association of Local Councils’ Hampshire Village of the Year.

Armistice Day Commemoration – 11 November 2016

All members were invited to attend an Armistice Day Commemoration event on Friday 11 November at Appletree Court. The ceremony would take place outside Committee Room 1 at 10.45 a.m. The Chairman, along with the Leader, and the Chief Executive, would lead a short service.

Chairman’s Awards 2016 - 8 December 2016

The Chairman announced the launch of the ‘Chairman’s Volunteers’ Awards’ which aimed to celebrate individuals and organisations who had given outstanding service to the people of the New Forest District.

The emphasis of the awards was on voluntary action.  However, there would also be scope to pay tribute to those who went above and beyond the call of duty in the course of their paid employment.

Further information about this award would be sent to Councillors, asking them to nominate individuals or organisations they felt deserved recognition for their voluntary services to the community. The award ceremony would be held on the evening of 8 December 2016 at Appletree Court.

There were none.  

To consider the report of the Cabinet dated 5 October 2016.

The recommendations were agreed.

The Leader of the Council, as Chairman of the Cabinet, presented the report of the meeting held on 5 October 2016.

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

RESOLVED:

That the report be received and the recommendations be adopted.

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 14 October 2016.

Cllr J G Ward asked the Leader of the Council whether a task & finish group should be set up to review the possible reduction in the number of Councillors from 60 to approximately 40.  The Leader replied that a Task & Finish Group would be constituted to examine the matter.

Question 1: from Cllr J G Ward to Cllr Rickman, Leader of the Council

“During 2013 and early 2014,  a Task & Finish Group of the Corporate Overview & Scrutiny Panel, considered a proposal to reduce the number of Councillors from the current number of 60 to around 40.

The Task & Finish Group considered a number of options and eventually recommended a reduction. This Group’s recommendation was not accepted by the Panel or by the Full Council in April 2014. At the Full Council some members thought that as any change could not take effect until 2019, it was more appropriate to leave the decision on any reduction to the new Council (after the May 2015 election).

Even though there is uncertainty about Local Government in Hampshire, does the Leader consider that this aspect (i.e. a possible reduction of Members from 60 to 40) should now be reviewed and reconsidered, either by a Task & Finish Group set up by the Corporate Overview & Scrutiny Panel or a Task & Finish Group set up directly by, and reporting to, the Cabinet?”

Answer:

The Leader of the Council replied that a Task & Finish Group would be constituted to review this matter.

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.